It’s plain sailing for Lt-Governor and CoFE pupils
THE Sailing Trust and its patron, Lt-Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder, took a group of College of Further Education students out to sea as part of their access to learning course.
Four students aged 16-18 were joined by instructors and Government House staff on a three-mile trip out to Herm on a fleet of Hawke 20 craft with a view to learning useful skills, both on water and on land.
‘Sailing is a really sensory sport. It offers a freedom from being stuck on land and a sense of adventure,’ said instructor Sarah Creasey.
‘They will learn to control the boat, sails and steering effectively with the wind direction. The students start off with the junior schools on the Model Yacht Pond and as they get bigger and stronger we look to taking them out to sea,’ she said.
College of Further Education teacher Kate Forrester said sailing was especially useful for these students, who are all on the autistic spectrum.
‘I think they’re very privileged to be able to come out here and the Sailing Trust have been fantastic. It builds their confidence, helps them to socialise and work as a team. Coming out on the water is their favourite part of the week,’ she said.
Regular sailing classes form part of the students’ enrichment programme which runs alongside their academic studies. It was patron Sir Ian’s first outing with the trust on Monday and he said the benefits of sailing for young people were self-evident.
‘It’s a great facility they have here, it’s really impressive how they make sailing accessible to everyone,’ he said.
‘I’ve just been looking at the boats they have fitted for those with physical disabilities, which is really ingenious. I can’t think of anything that teaches people more about their environment than sailing. Islanders are naturally attuned to the sea, so it’s great to promote the practical skills for them to be able to go out and enjoy it.’
Student Xander Garnham, 18, said he enjoyed learning while being out at sea.
‘I’m pretty confident now and I like the teamwork part. I don’t mind going out when it’s not as nice – sailing is still sailing whatever the weather,’ he said.
