Located on the breathtaking Chichester Harbour in West Sussex, the children were blessed with blue skies and calm seas as they undertook their RYA Level 1 sailing qualification.
As the coach set off at 7am, we waved goodbye to a wave of teary pyjama-clad parents at the school gate. After breaking the journey up with countless renditions of Wheels on the Bus, we were on site and unpacked in time for a delicious lunch.
The trip gave children a total of two full days sailing with bespoke coaching from skilled instructors. Beginning with learning the different parts of the boat and mechanics of jiving, it wasn’t long before students were in the water putting their wetsuits to the test and perfecting the art of capsising. While on day one local sea birds were driven away in droves by the shrills of excited children, day two had a calmer more focussed undertone as our newly qualified sailors prepared to put their skills to the test. Having quickly picked up the basics, the children displayed great teamwork and communication in navigating around the harbour. Feeling buoyed by their achievement and new life skill, all left with a huge smile across their face.
While off the water, children had an array of land activities to enjoy. Honing skills such as problem solving, leadership and cooperation the children took on challenges at the climbing wall, low ropes and aeroball stations to name a few. When the day’s main workshops had finished, The Belham’s staff facilitated a range of additional activities to keep everyone entertained. Including crabbing, evening hikes to the beach, camp fires and a disco on the last night, it’s fair to say that every minute was packed full of fun.
With this being the first time many of our children have stayed away from their adults, we returned-home a proud, more mature and closer-nit group of students. Having helped create memories that will stay with some forever, our staff felt lucky to have been part of the voyage.
