Fellow adventurer, we have two important questions for you. One: What is your wildest, most ambitious dream? Two: Now, do you live in the UK?
If so, your wildest dream may be coming true.
UK television presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle recently launched a mentorship competition to help a lucky group of winners transform their adventure-related dreams – climbing, racing, sailing, etc. – into reality. The team with the winning proposal will be rewarded with expertise from mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington, yachtswoman Dee Caffari, sailor Geoff Holt, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and even Bear Grylls on how to conquer their feat by 2015.
Applicants must be over 25 and should include a “giving back” component in their plans—whether environmentally, scientifically, or another thing altogether. Lucky winners will experience a weekend-long training with Fogle, whose endeavors include rowing across the Atlantic and racing to the South Pole with Olympian James Cracknell. On top of that, winners will also receive advice from experts – like the aforementioned big names – in their field, as well as gear from sponsors.
Funding is not included in the prize, though Fogle insists that he and other members will assist in helping the winners independently raise money.
The mentorship program serves as platform to give back to the community and to promote inclusivity, going hand-in-hand with Fogle’s School of Wild, a series of outdoor wilderness skills courses that is open to people of all ages.
As for what the creator would bid to the judges if given the chance: A month cast ashore. Drawing inspiration from adventurers like Alexander Selkirk, who spent four years as a castaway on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific Ocean, Fogle notes that if he were able to apply, he would most likely propose to spend a month on a remote island.
Interested in applying?
All applications must be submitted online at CordonRougeClub.com by January 20, 2015. A committee of Cordon Rouge Club members will then review applicants, announcing a winner in February 2015.
Official criteria for entry, according to The Telegraph:
“The expedition team must depart in 2015
The team should comprise UK-based, non-professional adventurers above the age of 25 years
The team should have an overarching positive legacy for their expedition, be it benefiting the environment, young people (i.e. educational impact) or the social community where the expedition is taking place
The expedition needs to be a ‘first’ of its kind
As well as mentoring from club members, winners will receive:
A supply of Champagne G H Mumm for their expedition launch and homecoming events
Access to a Land Rover vehicle
A supply of Canada Goose products”
Best of luck!
