The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington
Offshore Sailing Weekend
Ahoy There GSGW 
From the 11th – 13th May eleven Year Ten pupils from The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington took part in an Offshore Sailing Weekend arranged with Discovery Sailing Project. “We left school on Friday afternoon with enough clothes in our bags for several weeks and enough junk food to keep us happy for the journey down to Southampton. We arrived at the marina on the River Hamble, Southampton during the early evening of Friday. Our Skipper and the Mates were three to meet us. They issued us with a set of waterproofs and a lifejacket each, assuring us that looks were not everything! After we were fully kitted up, we set off in the rain to find our boat. The 60ft yacht soon became a second home as we piled on board and strewed our belongings around.
We were led through preparing the boat in order to leave and after we set sail, one team moved down into the galley to start preparing dinner for fifteen people, which we soon discovered was easier said than done on a rocking boat. The dreaded seasickness fortunately did not arrive and we all enjoyed out set tasks on the first evening. We shortly arrived in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. We moored up and sat down to dinner. By this time everyone was exhausted and wanting to go to bed. After a lot of giggling and talking we all settled down to sleep in our small but cosy bunks.
The next day started with bright sunshine but gale force winds. Whilst waiting for the wind to die down a little we were given shore leave in Cowes, so we headed out for a little retail therapy. When we had spent all of our money and the wind had died a little, we returned to the yacht and got ready to set sail once again. We spent the afternoon sailing in the Solent and down Southampton Water. Through working together to sail the boat we learned many valuable skills such as the importance of teamwork, leadership and communication. On Saturday evening we moored up in Ocean Village Marina in Southampton Water.
Early Sunday morning we set off again to sail back up to the Hamble. The sea was choppy and again we had strong winds. We all got thoroughly soaked thanks to the rain and large waves. However, we were undeterred and we all had a go at helming and handling the sails. We returned to the Hamble disappointed that our trip was over yet buzzing with our new found skills.
Now we all want to sail again as soon as possible with some of us wanting to take part in the Tall Ships Race in the summer. Some of us also want to take sailing further and study for qualifications. It was an amazing weekend that we all enjoyed and everyone came away having learnt new skills and made new friends.
From the 11th – 13th May eleven Year Ten pupils from The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington took part in an Offshore Sailing Weekend arranged with Discovery Sailing Project. “We left school on Friday afternoon with enough clothes in our bags for several weeks and enough junk food to keep us happy for the journey down to Southampton. We arrived at the marina on the River Hamble, Southampton during the early evening of Friday. Our Skipper and the Mates were three to meet us. They issued us with a set of waterproofs and a lifejacket each, assuring us that looks were not everything! After we were fully kitted up, we set off in the rain to find our boat. The 60ft yacht soon became a second home as we piled on board and strewed our belongings around.
We were led through preparing the boat in order to leave and after we set sail, one team moved down into the galley to start preparing dinner for fifteen people, which we soon discovered was easier said than done on a rocking boat. The dreaded seasickness fortunately did not arrive and we all enjoyed out set tasks on the first evening. We shortly arrived in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. We moored up and sat down to dinner. By this time everyone was exhausted and wanting to go to bed. After a lot of giggling and talking we all settled down to sleep in our small but cosy bunks.
The next day started with bright sunshine but gale force winds. Whilst waiting for the wind to die down a little we were given shore leave in Cowes, so we headed out for a little retail therapy. When we had spent all of our money and the wind had died a little, we returned to the yacht and got ready to set sail once again. We spent the afternoon sailing in the Solent and down Southampton Water. Through working together to sail the boat we learned many valuable skills such as the importance of teamwork, leadership and communication. On Saturday evening we moored up in Ocean Village Marina in Southampton Water.
Early Sunday morning we set off again to sail back up to the Hamble. The sea was choppy and again we had strong winds. We all got thoroughly soaked thanks to the rain and large waves. However, we were undeterred and we all had a go at helming and handling the sails. We returned to the Hamble disappointed that our trip was over yet buzzing with our new found skills.
Now we all want to sail again as soon as possible with some of us wanting to take part in the Tall Ships Race in the summer. Some of us also want to take sailing further and study for qualifications. It was an amazing weekend that we all enjoyed and everyone came away having learnt new skills and made new friends.
Last Modified: 04/07/2007
