Cadet Week 2023 another success for The Solway Yacht Club
Over 50 youngsters have been enjoying the sailing action
It’s been a packed week of racing and training fun at The Solway Yacht Club in Kippford, with over 50 Cadets taking to the water for five days of sailing.
From total beginners to experienced competitors, youngsters aged 8-21 were able to get stuck in amongst a choice of training groups, a coached racing fleet, or fully-fledged racers.
With something for all abilities, the club is dedicated to development, and helping bring youngsters up through the ranks.
Club Commodore Scott Train says: “This week is about teaching children how to sail, from 8 year olds to 21 year olds, they go through a process of learning the basics right up to racing.
"The idea is to develop them, so they go through stages of the RYA process and learn different skills at different age groups and abilities, to eventually end up in the racing fleet.”
The fun stretches beyond the water
But at Cadet Week the action doesn’t stop on the boats, with a busy social schedule to accompany the sailing, which some may argue is just as important.
Commodore Scott says: “It’s a full-on schedule, we’ve got racing during the day and training during the day, and then in the evening there’s all sorts of activities like quizzes and barbeques and ceilidhs and dinners, so it’s a full packed schedule of activity for the whole week.”
He says it's a brilliant way to make lasting bonds: “I’m still racing against people that I sailed against when I was their age, and we’re still great friends. The friends they make this week, they’ll remain friends for life.”
With team challenges and activities designed to bring people together, Cadet Officer Jo Harris agrees there are plenty benefits to be had:
“It’s about camaraderie, and meeting people you might not necessarily meet at school.
“There’s an emphasis on the fun and doing things you maybe wouldn’t get to do ordinarily, and going out of your comfort zone a little bit.”
With an evening Prizegiving to round off the week on the Friday, both racers and Cadets in the training fleets are in with the chance of taking home the silverware, but that’s not all some will be heading home with.
As an annual tradition organised by 'Cadet Captains', additional jovial prizes will also be distributed for funny moments and different happenings throughout the week.
Although this year is only just wrapping up, it’s understood plenty are already looking forward to next year.