National Schools’ Week was an event that we competed in for sailing late last term. Holly and Jo were racing a double-handed boat in a fleet of 99 other boats. The class of boat they were sailing was a ‘Feva’, which is a national youth class. The team came together when Jo – who races competitively – saw the event on the RS Feva website and contacted the PE and Sports department about doing it and asked Holly to join her. They had many good races with their top finish being 13th and an overall finish of 35th out of 100 in the series. 

Holly (Upper IV) 

I started doing some RYA training levels during holidays when I was seven, until about ten years old. I had never properly raced or trained in a double-hander, so it was a new experience. At first, it took time to reassure myself with the different ropes and parts of the boat, but after a bit of practice I got the hang of it. The first few times we got out on the water was fun and it helped when leading up to National Schools’ Week. I enjoyed the event and the atmosphere when we were out on the water. I loved hiking out and one of my favourite moments was when Jo lost her footing and half fell out the boat with one leg dragging her along underwater, with me looking back to see her calling my name from underwater! We both found it extremely funny; however, I don’t think Jo will be trying that method of hiking out again!

Jo (Upper IV)

I have done lots of training and had many successful races and championships, having recently won the London and South East Regional Championships. I asked Holly to crew for me during Schools’ Week because she had done some sailing in the past. She and I work well together and I thought Holly would really enjoy it. I think I speak for the both of us when I say that the event was super fun and that we both learnt a lot from working together, like that the Itchenor mud is quite slimy when on the top of your mast!