Climbing 27 metres up rigging, above a heaving sea, to unfurl or reef a sail for the first time, with a team of other first-time sailors, is one of the key challenges of sailing a square-rigged ship. This is usually made worse by the inevitable sea sickness in the first days on the open ocean.
Twice a year, District 9510 organises this challenge as part of its suite of youth development programs.
The Sailing Challenge was founded in 2017 through the inspiration of Sir James Hardy and Rotarian sailor and award-winning boat builder David Binks OAM. David, with 57 years of distinguished Rotary service through the Rotary Club of Glenelg and district youth committees, embarked on a sail training challenge for 15- to 19-year-olds using the square-rigged vessel the One and All.
After a formal evaluation of the benefits of the program to young people’s development, it has now been embedded as a key district youth program of personal development, teamwork and leadership.
“I made instant friends with my watch mates and learned much about teams and the value of working together for a shared goal. I found that the background of the team members was irrelevant in their shared responsibilities and achievements.”
Twice a year, 19 students are selected to undertake this five-day challenge and are sponsored by Rotary clubs. They join the crew for a five-day voyage of skill building. Special emphasis is given by Rotary clubs to select students who will gain the most growth from the challenge.
The square-rigged One and All was built and used originally as part of South Australia’s 150 years celebrations in 1986. Its design is based on an 1850s brigantine, but using modern shipbuilding materials and safety features. It now runs regular cruises in the Gulf St Vincent and is in big demand for corporate training events as well.
The rigorous training is split into three team watches and within that the members work four hours on and four hours off continuously throughout the five days. The first three days are spent learning how to sail a square-rigged ship then the final two days the students sail the ship home themselves.
They learn to read charts, navigate, change sails to make the most of the conditions, and learn all the many sails, ropes and lines needed to safely sail such a ship.
“I have fond and lasting memories of the trip,” said Maycie Darlington from Urrbrae High School, one of the students sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mitcham.
“I made instant friends with my watch mates and learned much about teams and the value of working together for a shared goal. I found that the background of the team members was irrelevant in their shared responsibilities and achievements.”
Sail the One and All at the Melbourne Convention The One and All has been selected to offer half-day cruises of Port Philip Bay for delegates during the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne. With the support of District 9800 Governor Dale Hoy, Victorian Rotary districts are exploring sailing challenges for young people using Victoria’s tall ship Enterprize. The One and All will be sailed from Adelaide by a crew of young people to the convention and will return with another crew of young people following the convention. During the convention it will also be the base for discussions for other tall ships to be used by Rotary for sailing challenges. Brisbane, Hobart, Perth and Sydney all have tall ships, as does Auckland, NZ.
