Ex Sea Eagle

Little did I know that whilst holding for phase 2 training, I would be actively encouraged every step of the way to participate in as much Adventurous Training (AT) as possible. As my boss said, in the nicest possible terms, "The less I see of you, the better".

With so much on offer and quickly realising there was no way I would be able to complete all of it, I had to make a decision about what I wanted to do, and how to get the best out of my holding tour.

‘Definitely something new’, I thought to myself. Now most of us have been on a boat, but I had certainly never been sailing before. There are a plethora of courses and events available to choose from – Joint Service Adventurous Training (JSAT) courses and Eagle Schemes cover a wide range of sports and activities, but it was the Sea Eagle scheme that piqued my interest. 5-days of Offshore Sailing around the southern Cornish coastline, something I’d never done before.

As it turns out, the weather was choppy, but the wind was strong and steady which made for great sailing conditions, if not a little bumpy. The accommodation was excellent and the whole process couldn't have been easier. All we had to do was turn up, and from there we were provided with all the equipment and knowledge we required.

We were led by none other than a retired Navy Captain, just two weeks after leaving the service. He possessed an abundance of knowledge and enthusiasm which really made the week that much better. The first day involved getting to the boat, learning the basics, and shopping in Falmouth for supplies. The next day, we were off to the Isles of Scilly, a 60-mile voyage, which takes 8-10 hours depending on the conditions. Once we’d cleared the headland of Land’s End, we were at the mercy of the northerly winds beating down on the sails which put the boat into a steep lean for the remainder of our journey. A battle to maintain a steady course with the choppy sea and the rudder seemingly fighting against the helmsman it was tiring work, so we all took up the helm in short shifts. Along the way we saw all manner of creatures, vessels, and sights, including a pod of dolphins. We quickly became self-sufficient, maintaining and adjusting the sails, keeping a lookout for hazards, and of-course, the constant duty of feeding the crew and drinking tea.

The intention of the week was to promote teambuilding and develop personal resilience, not to offer qualifications. However not only did the scheme succeed in its primary objective, but it also afforded us the chance to learn many sailing skills and techniques. For anyone seeking to get some qualifications under their belt, JSAT courses offer exactly that. You build up your knowledge and qualification level in any given sport or activity, and once you reach the higher levels, you have the opportunity to lead those activities yourself, passing on your knowledge and experience to those who have decided to follow in your footsteps. And the best part, it’s all free.

We’re very fortunate to have these opportunities, and I highly encourage those in a position to do so, to get online and apply. It really is a rewarding experience, and these kinds of things can be hard to come by. Whether it simply be a break from the office, a passion that you want to develop, or just something you’ve been meaning to tick off the bucketlist, this is your best chance to do it.

• It’s our free online platform exclusively for RAF personnel and their partners.

• Covering a range of self-directed topics tailored to life in the RAF.

• The course can be accessed anonymously, either as a couple or separately.

• It aims to equip you with the communication skills and strategies to get the best out of your relationships.

We also provide relationship counselling and mediation support.

MAIN RIDE: SAT 13 MAY 2023

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