Sea Cadets Pass Sailing Exams With Flying Colours
April 2005
Four St Albans Sea Cadets spent last week at a residential dinghy sailing course at the Welsh Harp Sea Cadets Training Centre in North London. Sam Proudfoot, of London Colney and Tom Oakley of Sandridge passed Royal Yachting Association Stage 2, Jake Hughes of London Colney passed RYA Stage 3. Scott Allday, also of London Colney, moved up a stage to RYA Stage 4.
The internationally recognised RYA National Sailing Scheme, followed by the
Sea Cadets, has been designed to help sailors gain basic skills. Stage 1 is
an introduction to the sport of sailing, while Stage 2 sets out the foundations
of sailing encompassing rigging, launching, ropework, sailing technique, meteorology
and rules of the road. Passing stage 2 means the participant is a competent
light wind sailor. Stage 3 builds on this and qualifies the sailor for moderate
winds.
Eleven mixed sex Sea Cadets (5 girls and 6 boys) from around the London area took part in the course. They slept in portakabin type accommodation at the unit and had an exhausting but fulfilling week. The wind was not as consistent as it could have been, however there is a degree of classroom work to be complete, in the quieter moments. There was not enough wind to sail on the first day, but on the second the wind was such that Tom and Jake managed to capsize one of the robust Bosun dinghies, but capsize recovery is pat of the training! They also sailed in Toppers and Laser Picos.
Jake Hughes said, "It was a great week. I was really pleased to pass to Stage 3, what a result! It would have cost over £200 if I'd done it at Stanborough Lakes, but this course cost just 55 quid, including the food."
Tom Oakley added, "I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot, I met loads of nice people and would definitely do it again. It's great preparation for the week I've got in May on the Sea Cadets tallship, TS Royalist. I love sailing and the Sea Cadets certainly gives me loads of opportunities to do it."
There will be more sailing courses available over the summer, so if you want to learn to sail there's never been a better reason or time than to join now!
St Albans Sea Cadets is open to girls and boys of 10 to 18 years and very
inexpensive, with all uniform being provided. The unit always welcomes new
faces, just turn up at 7pm on a Tuesday or Friday parade night, at the unit,
which is just behind Westminster Lodge swimming pool. See their website at:
www.stalbans-seacadets.org.uk/
See Training section for course opportunities in 2006!