Eight members of our Combined Cadet Force – six cadets and two adult Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (the Army and Navy section commanders) – recently took part in an unforgettable international voyage as part of the Tall Ships Race on the leg from Le Havre to Dunkirk, sailing on the Excelsior – one of the last surviving Lowestoft fishing smacks.
The adventure began even before they set foot on the boat. The journey to reach the vessel was a challenge in itself, involving a patchwork of minibuses, ferries, trains and long walks under the weight of heavy kit bags. This set the tone for an expedition that would test and stretch every participant, both physically and mentally.
Once at sea, conditions proved demanding. Eleven members of the wider crew were struck with severe seasickness, and ultimately the vessel had to withdraw from this leg of the race. Despite this setback, the cadets showed remarkable resilience and resourcefulness, embracing every opportunity to learn and adapt in a testing environment.
On arrival in Dunkirk, the team found new energy and camaraderie through social activities with other international crews. From beach games and ice skating to cooking shared meals, the cadets discovered that the expedition offered just as much learning on shore as at sea. They also got the chance to scale the tall mast of one of the ships in the race, conquering their fear of heights at the same time.
The experience has left a lasting impact. As Callum, one of the cadets, reflected:
“This has been hugely impactful. I’ve developed as a person, learned to be self-reliant and built my confidence. I’m now even thinking about roles involving the sea in the future.”
For our unit, the expedition has been transformational. The cadets returned richer in experience, stronger in self-belief, and more connected as a team. For the adult volunteers, it provided a rare chance to lead and mentor in a unique environment, seeing first-hand the growth of young people outside the classroom.
Although the race itself did not end as planned, the journey delivered far more than a competitive result ever could. It proved to be a powerful lesson in resilience, adaptability and the enduring rewards of shared adventure.
