Wave of festivities planned at Soton’s Ocean Village Marina in run-up to round-the-world race

Race yachts and crews continue to arrive at Southampton’s Ocean Village Marina for this year’s Ocean Globe Race – but they’re not the only ones invited along for the ride.

Organisers have lined up plenty of activities for people of all ages and backgrounds – nautical or not – starting today, Tuesday 29th August.

The Lord Mayor of Southampton will be joined by crews, press and fans to officially launch the race and kick off the festivities.

Visitors can hear from writer and broadcaster Paul Heiney as he shares his experiences sailing the Atlantic single-handed, or learn the art of navigating using the sun, moon and stars from Nigel Rennie of First Class Sailing.

Tracy Edwards will be representing her charity The Maiden Factor Foundation, which helps girls into education, as its namesake Maiden gets ready for the big race.

Tracy Edwards

Among the other not-for-profit causes supported by this year’s race are the Blue Marine Foundation and Ocean Youth Trust South.

Tracy will be joined at the Race Village by the RNLI and their Water Safety Education Team, who are set to promote their Float to Live campaign and run a competition for youngsters to see who can kit up like the RNLI crew the quickest.

There’s plenty more for the children, too, with activities courtesy of Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, Pirates and Pixies Faces & Parties, and the National Oceanography Centre.

There’ll also be an art exhibition from Royal Society oil painter Gregory Smith, daily screenings of sailing films and documentaries, regular tours of the Race Village, and a variety of local food and drink vendors to keep visitors from going hungry.

• For more information on all the activities planned for the coming weeks, visit mdlmarinas.co.uk/ogr23