Writes Davena Scott, Head of Raphael House
Near the start of the summer break, we voyaged from Southampton Universal Marina, down the Hamble and sailed to Gosport Marina for the first afternoon, practising drills like man overboard with the Skippers hat! The second day we anchored off Freshwater Bay for lunch, & moored in Lymington Marina for the night, taking the opportunity to play and swim at the salt-water lido next to the marina before we left the next morning. We moved onto Shepards Marina at Cowes, where we cooked and ate an England football themed dinner and watched the England World Cup Semi-Finals.
We spent our final day sailing in the Solent. We anchored off Osbourne Bay for lunch and had launch trips because the current was too strong to swim off the boat there; the yacht looked huge from the water. The Solent is an exciting place to sail because of the strong tides and the huge craft passing – ferries & cargo boats. We were lucky to have enough wind to use the huge genoa (a head sail so big it overlaps the main sail). For much of the rest of the time, we had four sails up – the mizzen, the main, the staysail and the headsail. When we tacked, we had to let the sheets fly and winch them all in on the other side, and at the end of each sailing session we had to take them all down and stow them under their covers. We learned knots like the bowline, and vocabulary like the lazarette.
We went back to Cowes for our final evening, where the sunsets we could see from Shepards Marina were amazing. Whether the crew were keen to learn the knots, hoist the sails and helm the Oyster 68 ft Ketch, or preferred lying on the foredeck chatting, there was something for everyone and we all gained Competent Crew skills to lesser or greater extents! This is just the beginning – next year’s trips will be slightly longer and won’t have the constraints of being near land for the football match, so we may make it to Alderney depending on the wind direction! The crew did magnificently; the Taylors’ boys can be really proud of their adventurous spirit & enthusiasm!
Laith A. (Divs) writes:
I originally thought that this sailing trip was a once in a lifetime experience, but after five days of cooking food for one another, washing up, sailing from Portsmouth to Freshwater Bay and most importantly having an amazing time, I realised that it is something I want to pursue in my future. I wouldn’t have it any other way now!
Veer M. (5ths) writes:
Most School trips are the sorts of holidays which I have already done with my family, but this was a trip I would NEVER otherwise have experienced. It was amazing! I loved being lookout and making curry for the group – my Mum couldn’t believe it! Memorably, we had double scoop ice cream (there were many flavours to choose from) after swimming in the salt-water lido – which was great because it had no current and no jellyfish! It was next to the marina when we were moored at Lymington. Usually during the holidays I’m on my phone on the sofa most of the day. Here I didn’t miss it and I felt healthier outside in the fresh air, taking in the magnificent views. I’d never been to the Isle of Wight before, let alone arrived there by yacht!
Kiran D. (5ths) writes:
Towards the start of the summer holiday, twelve boys from the Fourths, Divs and Fifths embarked on what was to be a new trip for many of us and the school. Although at the start of the week, the many tangled ropes, knots and huge sails seemed daunting, our confidence grew rapidly towards the end of the week. We were very lucky to live life on a sailing vessel. We experienced the highs and lows of sailing – yes, we saw beautiful views and felt the beating sun as we relaxed on the deck, but we also had to brave the suffocating heat in the galley (kitchen) below while the boat rocked incessantly. Overall, this unique week was one to remember for many years to come and this voyage around the Isle of Wight and along the coast in the Solent was extremely special. Huge thanks must be given to the sailing crew of the Rona Sailing Trust, and to Ms Scott and Mr Firestone for taking us.
Leo B. (5ths) Parent writes:
Leo had an absolutely fantastic time on the trip. Thanks again for organising it – I think the sailing life is for him!
Adam H. (Divs) Mum writes:
I would wholeheartedly encourage any parent to put their boys forward for this without worry or hesitation. You could see immediately that his mind had expanded with a new learning experience which you just cannot teach in a classroom. I really was so happy to see that spark in him that comes only from travel and exploration, where you get home and nothing appears to have changed on the outside, but something inside you has from this new experience, and you have grown a little more as person.
As you know it was his first time sailing and he hasn’t stopped talking about it since. He’s learnt many things and would have loved to night sail, so he is hoping to have a chance next time. Indeed, as you said, he seems to have been truly taken by the experience and has a new love of sailing and wants to keep trying to earn sailing hours to build up for a qualification. I am sure he will be one of the first to put himself forward for the next trip, which he has found both fascinating and rewarding. Thank you for organising, assisting and supporting the boys throughout.
