The second crew on the YMCA Tall Ships Adventure have returned
The second crew to set sail as part of the YMCA Tall Ships Adventure – a relay-style sailing challenge around the UK coastline – have shared their experiences.
In partnership with the Tall Ships Youth Trust, volunteers from across Newark and Sherwood are taking it in turns to sail a racing yacht around the UK until October 18, all to raise money for YMCA Newark and Sherwood’s Community and Activity Village, with the trip funded by BNA charity, meaning every penny raised goes to the YMCA Village.
Each week, we will bring you an exclusive diary from the crews aboard the ship as they share their experiences on their trip of a lifetime.
Crew 2: Inclusion to Excellence - Plymouth to Cardiff - September 4 to 8
After a brave first journey from the children at Magnus Academy, on September 4 the second Crew of volunteer sailors took to the helm in Plymouth for the YMCA Tall Ships Adventure.
This group of under 23s was formed of users of YMCA supported accommodation across the county, who kindly gave their time to support a fundraiser to give more opportunities to young people like them. “[The YMCA] can open doors for you and show what skills people had that they didn’t know about” shared 20-year old John.
Taking on one of the most challenging stretches of the YMCA Tall Ships Challenge, the Crew tackled unforgiving waves and seasickness as they passed Land’s End. Despite the challenges, it was a unique and valuable challenge.
“I’ve learned a lot”, John shared with us, “Now I know how boats work, and also how beautiful England really is.”
Alison, aged 18, expressed the freeing feeling of seeing wild dolphins off the Cornish coast, meeting new people, and dangling her feet into the water.
Much more than just a sailing experience, Aaron, aged 21, explained how the experience helped him to learn more about himself.
“I learned how to sail a boat, how to do all the different jobs to make it sail, but I also made new friends. I overcame seasickness and raised the sails – which was really challenging,” he said.
“I learned to be more patient and it helped me to learn how to work as part of a team. It was really confidence building.”
All the funds raised from the YMCA Tall Ships Adventure goes towards building the Community and Activity Village, whilst the trip itself has facilitated incredible experiences for all the young people on board.
23-year-old Harry shared in a vlog, “It’s been tough, physically and mentally. I’ve done things I never thought I would do. I can’t put into words how rough it’s been! My biggest achievement was definitely conquering my fear of heights – I was 10ft up the mast, hoisting the sail.”
“Never in a million years would I have done that, but in the spirit of the moment I said yes and I did it. It was rough – the wind was swinging me about, but I still managed to do it. I got there in the end.”
The next leg of the trip named “Community Champions” is sailing from Cardiff to Liverpool, with a Crew made up of individual volunteers from Newark and Sherwood,. The crew set off on Tuesday and returns on Sunday.
To make a donation to the YMCA's appeal, log on to their JustGiving page here.
