Over the past five weeks, our cadets have enjoyed a fantastic sailing programme, experiencing a wide range of weather conditions on the water. From gloriously bright and breezy afternoons to more overcast and challenging sessions, the Royal Navy cadets embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, determination and good humour.
As their confidence and skills developed, cadets learned how to adapt to changing conditions. At times, more cautious sailors chose to reef their sails to maintain greater control, while others adopted a more adventurous approach. In particular, our Head of Section demonstrated that confidence can sometimes be just as valuable as caution when navigating the course! There were certainly a few memorable moments that tested everyone’s balance and boating skills, and if there had been an award for both swimming and sailing, Jago would undoubtedly have been a leading contender.
The final session of the programme saw an excellent turnout of 14 cadets and featured the eagerly anticipated annual sailing race. After some competitive racing and impressive teamwork, victory went to Raphael’s boat. The instructors also singled out Toby for special recognition as the standout helm of the season, praising his calm manner, clear communication and precise instructions while guiding Bella around the course.
The cadets should be extremely proud of the progress they have made over the past five weeks, both in their sailing ability and in their confidence on the water. Their next opportunity to sail will be at summer camp, where they hope to take the next step in their sailing journey by progressing from lake sailing to the open waters of Plymouth Sound.
Article Written by Mr Stanyer, CCF Lead