Holly is the editor of Dockwalk. She grew up racing sailboats in England before switching to the world of superyachts and moving across the pond to Fort Lauderdale.
Yard periods can be a strange time for crew and often bring a peculiar mix of odd jobs, contractual duties, and downtime. For some, it is a welcome break while others are left with itchy feet. Among the many crewmembers ashore for winter maintenance in Palma, two stews chose to stretch their legs and make the most of their time ashore by starting a run club.
Yachties Run Wild is a female-only running group created by friends and crewmates Carinna Farrow and Jess Chilton of M/Y Shemara. The two came up with the idea while completing the Couch to 5K program in the summer (an app-based fitness plan aimed to get novice runners running five kilometers non-stop in nine weeks).
“I’m not a runner,” confesses Farrow, “but when we arrived in Palma, we started telling everyone we were going to start our own run club and everybody wanted to turn up.” They spent two weeks advertising it on social media and through word of mouth, and their first run had 26 crewmembers join in on the fun. “We were standing there waiting and all of a sudden everybody started walking towards us,” Farrow says..
The run club is in equal measure a social club and fitness club, and what sets it apart is its post-run ritual — a trip to the bar for a well-deserved glass of wine.
The club has rapidly grown, attracting a diverse group of participants, primarily from the yachting industry. “Every week we get around 25 to 30 girls, and it’s always different people,” Farrow adds.
She also highlighted the club’s ability to bridge the gap and connect individuals who otherwise might not have a chance to meet. “I’ve made some of my best friends in the last few weeks and we’ve got such a good group of girls that are all here for winter together. Some of them came on their own and didn’t know anybody,” she says. “Now you walk out of the shipyard, and you just know everyone. It’s a great way to meet people that isn’t going to the bars, which, if you’re on your own, can be intimidating.”
The sense of community fostered by Yachties Run Wild is pivotal in an industry where transience often hinders forming lasting connections. “There’s just not enough of it in the industry. I feel like we’ve been successful because people want it but it’s not out there.”
The Yachties Run Wild Instagram account, awash with pink hues and positive vibes, showcases snaps of the club’s runs and atmosphere, emphasizing the camaraderie among its members. Their success has caught the eye of sponsors, with Superyacht Uniforms providing T-shirts for the club. Looking ahead, the founders have plans to expand activities beyond running to pilates sessions in the park and even a speed dating event soon.
Despite its name, the club is not exclusively for runners. “Most people walk, and we ensure everyone stays together,” Farrow explains.
The initiative has even sparked interest from male crewmembers, although the club’s focus on providing a safe and welcoming space for women remains a priority. “It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable,” Farro adds.