The History of The Yacht Week

How it started

”Why is everyone sailing 50 years old? This would be a perfect concept for our friends!”

This is what founders Erik Biörklund & William Wenkel had in their minds in 2005 when they planned a holiday for their friends. Originally 10 yachts were booked for the first event. As people heard about the idea more and more joined.
27 yachts and 250 people participated already the first year.
In 2006 and 2007 when the first events took place there was no thought about establishing a business around the concept. The demand for more events was very strong and both founders finally decided to start a company and work towards building their own business in late 2007.
When the company was formed 2 more partners were recruited to support with competency in the team:
- Ludvig af Klinteberg: a highly skilled programmer with a passion for adventure and sailing.
- Johan Corthey: Webdesigner and Art Director with a beautiful sense of design! Also very keen sailor and skiier!

Founded 2006 - Sailin' Croatia

27 yachts and a total of 250 people participated in our original regatta in the Croatian archipelago in August 2006.

2007 - The Yacht Week

As a result of our 2006 achievements, we doubled our following in 2007 when 56 yachts and 500 people joined in the August regatta. This was a truly fun-filled week with idyllic sailing conditions and organised entertainment. Swedish rock band Teddybears provided a superb concert in Hvar, while watchmaker Tritoni had arranged an unforgettable regatta, blessed with windspeeds of 25+ knots and unbroken sunshine. A number of Swedish DJ’s performed at various locations along the coast throughout the week. All things considered, this summer experience laid the true foundations for The Yacht Week. Although many people attended the events, we do not believe in tying groups down to a regime. On the contrary, participants have the freedom to come and go as they please. They have the flexibility to organise their own plans: cruise around the beautiful harbours, or anchor in tranquil bays. Food and drink in Croatia is relatively inexpensive, so much so, lunch can be bought for around 7 euros, while a beer may cost 2 euros. The combination of an affordable yachting experience and low-priced living creates an extraordinary vacation – and immense value for money.

2008 - The Yacht Week

The concept proved to be very popular and 2008 year's edition was promoted in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Holland. This year we did two weeks, 9-16th and 16-23rd of August in Croatia. Both the hip-hoper Adam Tensta and swedish the rising star Kleerup joined to hosts concerts, Kleerup the first week and Adam the second. These weeks were a mixture of sailing regattas, organised entertainment (the concert and more) and parties. Some 800 people on 90 yachts from 14 countries joined, and created a fantastic environment. Check out the photos

2009 - The Yacht Week Goes International

Introducing Greece - our first Greek week in the Saronic Sea was executed. Our second destination. On top of that 4 event weeks were carried out in Croatia. The concept proved to be very popular and 2008 year's edition was promoted in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Holland. These weeks were a mixture of sailing regattas, entertainment (the concert and more) and parties. Some 2000 people on 205 yachts from 15 countries joined, and created a fantastic environment.
This year 50% of the bookings were Swedish and the rest from all over Western Europe. Managers were recruited from several countries and The Yacht Week was introduced to Europé. Check out more on our fan page on Facebook

2010 - The Yacht Week is Coming to Caribbean and Spain

350 yachts are planned to take part in 9 events. This year Ibiza and British Virgin Island is introduced. Hopefully we will spread the concept of sailing and socializing all over Europe and let people know that there are better and more fun ways to spend a summer holiday than just staying at a hotel & beach!

Music at The Yacht Week

Here are some of the names of DJs and artists that have played on our events: Teddybears Stockholm (2007) Kleerup (2008) Adam Tensta (2008) DJ Mosquito (2008) DJ Richard Grey (2009) DJ Arias (2009) DJ Tristan Garner (2009) DJ Michael Kaiser (2009) DJ Pierre Souriau (2009) DJ Jeff Cortez (2009) DJ Martin Grewin (2009)

More info about us: The Yacht Week Team

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