Student Erin’s success in sailing after inaugural voyage

Erin not only conquered her height problem by climbing the rigging during the voyage, but her can-do attitude and enthusiasm for everything she was asked to do have seen her win the highly sought-after recognition.

She was recognised for ‘going above and beyond’ on a sea voyage by the East Anglian Maritime Awards on Tuesday evening, and she is also nominated for an award from charity The Norfolk Boat.

Erin was nominated for both by sailing lead at the school Debbie Carter De Bois, who said she had been very impressed with the Year 10 student’s attitude and hoped she would continue with her sailing in the years to come.

She was among a group of 10 students from the school who were able to set sail to The Netherlands on a week-long voyage on a vessel owned by a charitable trust.

“She consistently checked in with her fellow crew, also took on extra duties plus cooking and cleaning schedules," said Debbie. "Erin would offer to help others even when it was not her watch or her duty. 

"She immersed herself in learning knots, navigation, how to do the ship’s log and was enthusiastic. We were very lucky with the weather, but even had we not had calm seas she would have definitely been the student who would have helped and kept everyone calm.

“Erin displays a can-do attitude and took on the challenge of sailing Excelsior. This vessel is over 100 years old and is not an easy vessel to sail or steer. 

"Erin took on every task, dug deep and never once moaned. She even conquered her fear of heights by climbing the rigging, no mean feat as it is very unnerving climbing up a rope ladder."

The Excelsior was 14-year-old Erin’s first taste of sailing and she’s now looking to join a sailing club - and to convince younger sister Orla to give it a try as well.

“I’ve always loved pushing myself to try something different, and I wanted to come back from the trip feeling proud of what I’d achieved and ready to share what I’d learned with others," she said. "What I didn’t realise was that I would find my happy place on the water. Even when we weren’t on shift, I often stayed on deck to help out or just to watch the sunrises and sunsets."

Her great-grandfather served in the Royal Marines, but there is no family connection to sailing otherwise and Erin said joining the Excelsior had helped her confidence grow while discovering a real love of sailing.

Having ridden horses since an early age, Erin’s height limit was in the saddle - and she had no intention of going higher. But she was encouraged to climb the rigging of the Excelsior, despite the prospect “filling me with dread”

Mum Steph, who is a teaching assistant at the school, continued: “Erin returned from her Excelsior adventure with a newfound confidence, ambition and a passion for sailing we never knew she had. 

"The experience has had such a positive effect, both in school and at home. What’s most special is that she’s found her happy place on the water."

The Excelsior Trust has one of the UK’s oldest working vessels with a fishing smack from Lowestoft which has been offering hands-on sailing experiences since 1983.

The award from Norfolk Boat is for any young sailor who goes above and beyond during a sail training voyage.