Tall Ships Sail Training

Click here to download The Outdoor Education Experience leaflet

Young people benefit greatly from being involved in healthy physical outdoor activities.

They gain even more in terms of personal development by having the opportunity to discover the limits of their own capabilities while working as part of a team in  genuinely challenging situations.

The Trinity Sailing Foundation runs tall ships sail training voyages for groups of young people on its fleet of historic gaff-rigged vessels:

'Leader' a former Brixham sailing trawler, built in 1982

'Golden Vanity' a gaff cutter, built in 1908

'Provident' another Brixham sailing trawler, built in 1924

The voyages are a combination of challenge, adventure, teamworking and personal discovery, with the opportunity to learn the basics of traditional seamanship and new life skills.

Voyages can be tailored to meet the requirements and objectives of individual groups, and are organised and run by friendly staff who have wide experience of working with a broad range of schools and other organisations.

No previous sailing experience is required. Trinity's professional crew ensure that everyone is able to learn about, and participate in, all aspects of life on board.

The Western half of the English Channel is the main sailing area: Devon, Cornwall, the Channel Islands, Brittany, Normandy & the Isles of Scilly. However, the vessels go further afield for part of the season - to the sea lochs of Scotland's west coast, to other parts of the British Isles, and on Tall Ships Races to destinations as far apart as the Baltic and southern Spain.

Each voyage includes several ports of call. We favour the quieter and more interesting places: secluded anchorages, coves, fishing harbours and ancient towns. Although the emphasis is mainly on sailing activities, participants are given the chance to explore and learn about the places they visit, investigate wildlife, swim, beachcomb, and enjoy barbeques on shore.

Young people from all kinds of backgrounds, and all levels of ability, can gain enormously from the opportunity of sailing the traditional way.

Challenge

Tall Ship sailing provides a challenging environment, one which encourages youngsters to get the best out of themselves. Learning to handle a traditional sailing vessel at sea and in all conditions tests the innate abilities of each individual to the limit. Few people will ever have a better opportunity of finding out just what they are capable of achieving through their own efforts.

Achievement

Meeting the challenges and overcoming them brings a rare sense of real achievement. Whether it is the satisfaction that comes from having completed an offshore passage and having brought the boat safely to its destination, having mastered some of the arts of seamanship and having stood watch in the small hours, or the attainment of Royal Yachting Association qualifications, every young person leaves with a definite sense of having reached some personal goal.

Self Reliance

The sea quickly impresses on people the need to be able to accomplish tasks by using and developing their individual skills and abilities. The circumstances in which they are placed encourage them to find the best in themselves and contribute it towards achievement of common goals. Resourcefulness and decision-making come to the fore almost without conscious effort.

Teamwork

Important though the individual is, nobody can tackle the job of sailing a traditional sailing vessel except as part of a team. Each activity --- weighing anchor, hoisting sail, bringing the boat about, standing watch --- acquires people to work together. The teamwork which is such a natural and integral part of the experience when the ship is underway is reinforced during off-duty hours, with everybody helping to prepare meals, keeping the boat shipshape and sharing friendly evenings in the saloon or on deck under the stars.

Leadership

For many, this is a great opportunity to discover whether they have within themselves the ability to take charge of situations, and take responsibility for others. Traditional sailing gives every member of the group the chance to take the lead in various situations, and benefit from the satisfaction of having done so.

Personal Development

This is an experience during which each individual discovers things about him or herself. Young people are taken out of their normal environment and placed in circumstances that encourage the development of new skills and personal attributes. Whatever their background, the groups of young people who sail with Trinity leave at the end of their stay with a new outlook on life, and aware of capabilities within themselves that they had not previously recognised.

Relationships

Sea training is a unique way of breaking down barriers and building relationships. Young people quickly realise that the challenges with which they are faced are shared by everyone else on board. Strong bonds are formed between the members of the group, and with their leaders and Trinity's professional sea staff. They emerge with more positive attitudes about themselves and others.

Trinity is a member of the Association of Sea Training Organisations and a Royal Yachting Association recognised training centre.

Our fleet consists of three genuinely historic vessels. On deck they are very much as they were when they first set sail. There are no winches or other mechanical aids; everything has to be done manually, so teamwork is an essential part of the experience.

However, technique is more important than strength, and everyone can participate in all aspects of sailing the ship. Trinity's professional crew explain what needs to be done, and the sail trainees carry it out under supervision. Safety is a key consideration.

Leader and Provident are two of the last legendary Brixham sailing trawlers, renowned for their stability and sea-keeping qualities. Their wide decks and high bulwarks make them ideal for sail training.

Golden Vanity was built to the lines of a smaller class of working boat.

All three are Designated Vessels on the National Register of Historic Ships.

Although the layout on deck is traditional, down below the vessels have been carefully fitted out for their modern role. They also carry all modern aids for safety and navigation, and are equipped to MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) Code of Practice standards.

Click here to download The Outdoor Education Experience leaflet