Sailing Residential
Last week, two groups of students were lucky enough to take part in a two-night sailing expedition. The students, who had each completed their RYA Level 1 sailing course recently at Eastwood Whelpton, were aiming to improve their sailing skills: boat handling, mooring, sail setting and, because we'd be going under Ludham Bridge, demasting at St Benet's Abbey. Each of the three wooden gaff sloops from Hunters Yard was helmed by a skipper, and it was also where the students slept and did some cooking.
Group 1: Monday-Wednesday. The wind on Monday was too strong and gusty to sail so we used a motor cruiser and explored both South Walsham and Ranworth Broads. Each student got to helm the 44ft boat with some showing a real aptitude for it. On Tuesday, we set off for Barton Broad but had to use the electric motor to help when the tide was against us or the wind had been disrupted by trees. We moored overnight at Barton Turf Activity Centre and, once settled, the students cooked pasta in their own boats to accompany the sauce that the staff were cooking. Wednesday morning was spent sailing around Barton Broad before getting back on the motor cruiser to Ludham Bridge where the trip ended.
Group 2: Wednesday - Friday. The new group picked up the motor cruiser at Ludham Bridge and went straight to Barton Broad pontoon to pick up their boats. After a good sail around the broad, we moored back on the pontoon for a BBQ and an overnight stay. On Thursday we sailed around Barton Broad in the morning and then after a picnic lunch, using a mixture of sail and motor, we made it back down the rivers Ant, Bure and Thurne to return to Hunters Yard. On Friday there was some more sailing on the river Thurne before the trip ended at lunchtime.
The students and Acle staff would like to thank the team at Hunters Yard for making the experience so enjoyable and for all the hard work that went into the trip behind the scenes.
For more photos, please follow this link to our gallery.
