Three Year 10 students recently returned from an exhilarating 12-day sailing expedition to Norway, marking the beginning of an exciting new annual tradition for the school.
Kasha, Lucy and Belle, along with nine students from Hymers College in Hull, embarked on the round trip of 450 nautical miles aboard CatZero, a 72-foot Challenge Round the World Racing Yacht. The trip took place from 2 to 13 July and saw the students sail from Hull Marina to Stavanger in Norway.
In preparation for their voyage, girls visited CatZero at Hull Marina in June. This allowed them to meet their fellow sailors from Hymers College, as well as the captain and crew members. During the visit, they were given a tour of the yacht, gaining insight into the compact living conditions they would experience at sea. and discussed practical aspects of the journey, including appropriate clothing, on-board facilities, and the interplay of fuel and wind in sailing.
During the three-day outward journey, the crew taught all the students essential sailing skills, including rigging, helming, and navigation. The young sailors then put their newfound knowledge to the test by sailing the vessel back to Hull themselves over another three days.
Throughout the trip, the students worked in four-hour shifts, a challenging but rewarding experience that helped them develop teamwork and resilience.
But the voyage wasn’t all hard work. The students enjoyed four days exploring Norway, including cultural visits and a thrilling climb to Pulpit Rock, which offers breathtaking views over the fjords.
Kasha said, “The trip was amazing, better than I ever thought it would be. I really enjoyed everything we did especially the walk to Pulpit Rock and swimming in the Fjords.”
Lucy said, “I would recommend this trip to everyone who has the opportunity. Everybody makes you feel welcome and we made such amazing friends with people we never met before.”
Belle added, “The trip has been such an incredible experience and I’m so glad I took the risk and went even though I wasn’t sure. It 100% paid off and I’m going to miss the people and the experience so much.”
The Norway sailing trip is part of our renewed focus on outdoor education and character-building experiences. Our Headteacher Julia Polley explained, “While we had initially considered a trip to the Himalayas, we found the sailing expedition to be a more suitable option. It offers similar challenges and opportunities for personal growth, but with fewer logistical hurdles and at a more accessible cost.”
The success of this year’s sailing trip has set a promising precedent for future adventures.
