Cornish Youngsters take to the High Seas
More than one hundred people from the south west, including over fifty students from Cornwall have signed up to take part in a challenge of a lifetime as crew on board a Tall Ship in the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, which leaves Falmouth on Saturday 13th September 2008.
Tim Bowerbank, Marketing Manager for Cornwall Marine Network, has been promoting the Tall Ships as they sign up, to a database of people interested in experiencing first hand the thrill and excitement of sailing these graceful traditional vessels. They will race to Portugal, in the first leg of the Regatta. Ships such as Pelican from the UK and Astrid and Tecla from the Netherlands, have been particularly popular, as well as Mir – a favourite Russian vessel, and regular visitor to Falmouth waters.
“Research proves that Tall Ship sailing actually makes you work more effectively as a team member, instilling confidence and providing a challenge that could prove to be a once in a lifetime experience” said Tim.
The youngsters from Cornwall will become part of the ships crew and will join in with all the duties on ship, including climbing the rigging, hauling up sails, watch duties, helping in the galley and keeping the vessel ‘ship shape’. This thrilling and fast paced ocean adventure will offer those who sign up experiences from learning skills on board, to seeing new places and forming international friendships.
Thirteen students from Falmouth and Penryn Community Colleges have been selected through the Tall Ships Challenge. Sarah Newton, volunteer for Falmouth Tall Ships Association, has been raising sponsorship and funding for the students to take part in the race. Sarah is also a firm believer of the benefits of sail training and comments:
“I believe that setting tough challenges and achieving them in your teens really helps to achieve your potential in life. I am thrilled to have been involved in assisting these young people to take part in the Regatta, they will certainly remember their time on board and use their newly found skills in the future.”
Cornwall will be well represented when the celebrations take place in Ilhavo in Portugal at the end of the first leg of the race - South West Water have sponsored a further five young people through their own competition and Rotary Club Helston Lizard has sponsored Lee Marchant from Mullion and Helston School for his passage.
Newells Travel has been co-ordinating travel arrangements for the students and has generously funded their travel insurance for the Regatta from their Falmouth branch in Killigrew Street. The travel agency has 11 branches throughout Cornwall and South Devon and have won the prestigious South West Travel Agency of the Year Award in 2002, 2004 and again in 2008, as well as the National Cruise Specialist of the Year 2008. Managing Partner Roger Hawke states:
“We are proud to be supporting Cornish youngsters in their challenges on the high seas, and are looking forward to welcoming crews from all over the world to Falmouth”.
The crew delivering the ships to Falmouth have a full programme of events planned for them during their stay in the port. A full day of inter-ship sports will be hosted on Thursday 11th September with Dragon Boat Racing from the Watersports Centre and Beach volleyball, tug of war, tennis and climbing at Gyllyngvase. Come along and cheer on the teams.
The ships crew parade follows the sports activities and will start at the Docks entrance, proceed along the town centre streets to the Moor, around Webber Street and back to Events Square for the Prizegiving for sports activities and ships prizes. The parade is traditionally a fun and vibrant event with crews in their national Naval uniforms, fancy dress or regatta t-shirts. Three ships bands will all take part in the parade with the Mexican crew from Cuahtemoc, crew from the Shabab Oman from Oman and the Capitain Miranda from Uruguay all entertaining the crowds with what promises to be a real spectacle.
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