Sailing Project
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On the 8th May nineteen Year 10s set off for one of the most fun, yet challenging trips. The sailing trip was a fantastic experience for all those involved.
Two hours (and lots of knot tying) later we arrived in Southampton and were shown the two yachts that we would be calling home for the next couple of days. The first,
Discovery DSP is 43ft and is more comfortable (but slower!) than the 60ft ‘Thermopylae Clipper’ which, prior to it’s new role as a Sail Training vessel, circumnavigated the world four times in the Clipper Round the World Races, hosted by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail non stop around the globe.
After the safety briefing we left the moorings on the River Hamble and set off for Cowes, Isle of Wight. Whilst onboard the crew were split into two teams or ‘Watches’. Whilst one Watch began learning how to sail the yacht the others were learning how to cook for up to fifteen people……at an angle! With perfect timing, we arrived in Cowes just before dinner was ready. After getting used to the ‘cosy’ bunks on board we got some much needed shut eye in preparation for an early start on Saturday morning.
On Saturday we left Cowes early to make the most of the perfect weather that had finally arrived. We learnt how to perform a number of roles onboard such as putting sails up and down, helming (steering), tacking (changing direction through the wind) as well as the vital role of tea making – for up to fifteen people on board and no electricity this job is harder than you may first think! We arrived in Yarmouth in the early evening and set about preparing for a BBQ on the beach. This was a perfect opportunity for the two crews to join together and was accompanied by fun, games and Frisbee.
On Sunday the crew of Discovery DSP set out from Yarmouth into the Solent to get in some more sailing before heading back to the Marina. Thermopylae Clipper’s crew tried their hand at rowing before they also made their way back to the Hamble.
One of the many aims of this annual trip is to encourage teamwork, leadership and communication. By the end of the voyage we had all shown an improvement in these skills and the buzz onboard was fantastic. We came away from the trip feeling closer to the people we didn’t know as well before. In our opinion the sailing trip was fantastic and we would definitely like to go again next year.
After the safety briefing we left the moorings on the River Hamble and set off for Cowes, Isle of Wight. Whilst onboard the crew were split into two teams or ‘Watches’. Whilst one Watch began learning how to sail the yacht the others were learning how to cook for up to fifteen people……at an angle! With perfect timing, we arrived in Cowes just before dinner was ready. After getting used to the ‘cosy’ bunks on board we got some much needed shut eye in preparation for an early start on Saturday morning.
On Saturday we left Cowes early to make the most of the perfect weather that had finally arrived. We learnt how to perform a number of roles onboard such as putting sails up and down, helming (steering), tacking (changing direction through the wind) as well as the vital role of tea making – for up to fifteen people on board and no electricity this job is harder than you may first think! We arrived in Yarmouth in the early evening and set about preparing for a BBQ on the beach. This was a perfect opportunity for the two crews to join together and was accompanied by fun, games and Frisbee.
On Sunday the crew of Discovery DSP set out from Yarmouth into the Solent to get in some more sailing before heading back to the Marina. Thermopylae Clipper’s crew tried their hand at rowing before they also made their way back to the Hamble.
One of the many aims of this annual trip is to encourage teamwork, leadership and communication. By the end of the voyage we had all shown an improvement in these skills and the buzz onboard was fantastic. We came away from the trip feeling closer to the people we didn’t know as well before. In our opinion the sailing trip was fantastic and we would definitely like to go again next year.
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