Ten cadets, 5 boys and 5 girls from Lisnagarvey High School Combined Cadet Force enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime after completing a five-day, 185 mile, offshore sailing expedition between Belfast and Tarbert on Scotland’s west coast, thanks to the generous support of The Ulysses Trust.
The crew aged from 12 to 15 Years sailed a staggering 185 nautical miles aboard the tall ship Challenger 2, learning to live and work together while taking responsibility for every aspect of running an offshore 72 foot yacht. From the moment the yacht left Belfast’s Odessey Marina, the cadets became active members of the crew. Under the guidance of the 4 experienced Tall Ships Youth Trust staff, they learned to steer at the helm, deploy sails, sweat the ropes, navigate by compass and keep a lookout.
Every cadet also took turns preparing meals, cleaning the yacht and standing watches, discovering that successful sailing depends as much on teamwork and responsibility as it does on technical skill.
The expedition was blessed with exceptional weather, with five days of glorious sunshine, warm temperatures and promising winds providing ideal learning to sail conditions. The warm weather also brought an important lesson in personal responsibility, as cadets quickly learned the importance of staying hydrated, wearing sun protection and looking after one another while spending long hours on deck.
The most unforgettable highlight of the trip came when a pod of 50+ dolphins appeared alongside Challenger 2, swimming and jumping at the bow as the yacht crossed the Irish Sea. For many cadets, it was their first opportunity to see dolphins in the wild and they were astonished by their playfulness.
While alongside in Tarbert, the crew were given the opportunity to climb the yacht’s 29-metre mast. Reaching the top rewarded them with spectacular views across the harbour and surrounding Scottish coastline, but it also required determination to overcome nerves, fears and trust both their equipment and the instructors supporting them. For many, this became the defining personal challenge of the expedition.
Life on board was not without its lighter moments. Theme days, including Pirate Day, Hawaiian shirts and a castaway challenge, brought plenty of laughter while helping to strengthen friendships and reinforce the value of working together as a close-knit team.
By the end of the voyage, every cadet had gained sufficient experience to achieve the RYA Start Sailing Certificate, recognising the practical sailing skills they had developed during the expedition. More importantly, each participant returned home with increased confidence, resilience, communication skills and leadership experience that will benefit them in cadets and well beyond their time in school.
One cadet summed up the experience by saying:
“It was the best week ever. I made a great and inseparable friend, and I’d definitely do it again.”
The impact of the expedition was equally evident in the feedback from parents. One commented that their daughter had spent the entire journey home enthusiastically describing everything she had experienced, while another described the voyage as “the opportunity of a lifetime.”
The expedition has also had a lasting impact on Lisnagarvey High School. As the contingent works towards establishing a Royal Navy section within its Combined Cadet Force, the voyage has inspired more young people to become involved in sailing and adventurous training while giving experienced cadets valuable opportunities to mentor others and develop their leadership skills.
The success of the expedition would not have been possible without the generous support of The Ulysses Trust, whose funding enabled cadets to experience an opportunity that many would otherwise have been unable to access. The contingent would also like to thank the Tall Ships Youth Trust and the crew of Challenger 2—skipper Terry, mate Izzy, and volunteer watch leaders Paul and Sharon—for their encouragement, professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the voyage.
Although the expedition covered a massive 185 nautical miles, its greatest achievement was the personal journey made by every cadet. They returned with recognised sailing qualifications, new friendships, increased confidence and memories that will last a lifetime.
