Five are students at Truro College, two work at Pendennis Shipyard, one is a student at Falmouth Marine School and one at Mounts Bay Academy.
What connects them? They’re about to become shipmates on 57-ft ketch Helen Mary R, operated by Morvargh Sailing Trust, in RYST’s annual offshore sailing expedition for young people aged 16-19 living in Cornwall.
They’ll leave St Mawes on Thursday 25 July and return on Saturday 3 August. Where are they bound? No-one knows. Not even skipper Matt, who says the wind and the weather will decide.
What’s certain is that they’re all excited about the 10-day expedition, which is made possible by the generous support of local individuals and organisations, each of whom sponsors one or more places on board.
Who are they? Here’s a brief introduction to Team Helen Mary R 2024.
Adam, 17, from St Eval is a student at Truro College. He has sailed with the Sea Cadets and says: “I would love the experience of learning how to sail on a larger boat, meeting new people, exploring, seeing the view and being out on the ocean. Maybe we will be lucky enough to see some dolphins or whales.”
Says Ian Chalmers: “Phillips Frith is very pleased to support RYST’s offshore sailing project for a fourth year. The effect of the previous voyages has clearly been inspirational for those taking part and it has been heart-warming for us to see the enthusiasm generated amongst the young participants.”
Charlie, 17, works at Pendennis Shipyard. He says: “I have enjoyed sailing on crewed boats and like working with other people in a team. I love how the sea is so big and can take you anywhere. What I think I will enjoy most is the adventure of the trip, as it will be something different to what I have ever done before and will be a great experience for me on a bigger boat. It will also be a good reference for possible future jobs, as I would like to train to become a captain of a large sailing vessel one day.”
Says Commodore John Andrew: “St Mawes Sailing Club is delighted to sponsor a place on Helen Mary R this year. We know from the past three expeditions on TS Maybe that experiences of this kind are character-building. They enable young people to learn how to get on with others as part of a team in an exhilarating environment, and we as a Club look forward to hearing all about how it went.”
Dan, 17, from Zelah is a student at Falmouth Marine School. He says: “I’ve lived in Cornwall all my life. We’re surrounded by sea and I’ve always enjoyed it, whether paddle boarding, fishing, surfing or dinghy sailing. It’s always where I enjoy myself the most. I will gain invaluable experience from this voyage, as I am looking for a future career in superyachting.”
Says Jeremy Dunn of MWJV: “With my sons learning to sail at St Mawes I have seen at first-hand how sailing not only builds resilience and confidence in young people, but also makes them aware of the beauty and fragility of the natural environment. This is something we take very seriously at MWJV so we’re delighted to support a young person on a journey of discovery on Helen Mary R.”
Finlay, 17, is a student at Truro College. He has never sailed but is a keen swimmer and surfer and an experienced surf life saver. He says: “I love being outdoors and camping so being able to sleep on a boat is on the bucket list. I would like to become a hands-on member of the sailing crew and learn to navigate at sea. The sound of the waves, the salty breeze in the air and the endless expanses of water have always captivated me. There is something calming and mesmerising about it and I would love to learn how to harness its power. I would also love to see some dolphins.”
Says Ana Navarro Fisher: “Back in 2016 when I was 17, I was lucky enough to have been sponsored by RYST to participate in the Tall Ships race from Lisbon to Cádiz, so I’m delighted to be able to send someone else on a similar adventure. I remember going to Lisbon feeling sick to my stomach and telling my mum that I couldn’t do it. By the end of the trip, I was absolutely gutted to be leaving and cried. It’s an experience that I still cherish eight years later and one that I hope many more people can do.”
Laurie, 17, is a student at Truro College. He has never sailed but is keen to learn. He says: “In particular, I want to be able to navigate as I like a challenge. I love the sea, the glint of the water and the way the sun sets, and I really want to explore the ocean. I love the idea of seeing animals like dolphins, whales, sharks and finding out what is out there.”
Says David Mitchell: “Flushing Sailing Club is delighted to again sponsor a youngster on a voyage at sea. It has been a pleasure to host presentations at the Club by the young people we sponsored – Rosie in 2022 and Will in 2023 – hearing how the expeditions have built confidence and opened new horizons for them. We fully support the involvement of youngsters in sailing and hope it goes well this year.”
Luca, 17, is a student at Truro College. He has sailed a few times, crewing small boats and dinghies, and says: “The most interesting thing about the sea is how little we know about it. The idea of open ocean, being able to wake up in the morning to a day without ever seeing land is an exciting and invigorating prospect. In addition, I think I will enjoy the community aspect of the voyage, working together with crew to choose our own destination.”
Luca – and Tom below – is sponsored by Team Maybe 2023. The young people who went to Spain on TS Maybe with the Tall Ships in 2023 enjoyed their experience so much that they raised funds to support two places on this year’s voyage on Helen Mary R. Says RYST chairman Dina Wheatcroft: “These voyages are enriching in all sorts of ways for the young people involved, who return motivated to fund opportunities for other young people to take part in a life-changing experience. What a profound and heart-warming return on investment that last year’s venturers should raise enough between them to sponsor not just one, but two places aboard. A big thank you to Team Maybe 2023.”
Tom, 16 is a student at Mounts Bay Academy, Penzance. He says: “I’ve only sailed once before with family to the Isles of Scilly, but I like learning new skills and being on the water surfing because it is calm and peaceful.”
Phoebe, 17, is a student at Truro College. She has never sailed before. She says: “I love learning new things, and sailing has been something I have always been interested in, but never got the opportunity to try. I have always been fascinated by the ocean and I used to want to be a marine biologist (now journalist) because I wanted to study and protect our oceans from climate change. I like to surf and swim in the sea as it is the perfect way to connect with nature and focus on the present moment, as you are always aware of the cold and movement of the water.”
Says Mark Willson: “H Tiddy Estate Agents are proud to send a young person to sea for a fourth year. Based on the experiences of our previously sponsored participants, Bea (2021), Wilf (2022) and Skye (2023), I am sure all the venturers will return from their voyage with many life enhancing experiences, memories and friendships.”
Will, 17, works at Pendennis Shipyard. He says: “I love sailing, and I love the sea – the way it’s always changing, the currents, the temperature and the weather. I have always marvelled at how the sea can be calm and quiet or choppy and rough, making sailing either peaceful or hard work, and I enjoy the challenges and rewards it presents. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. I feel this voyage will be a chance for self-development, as well as meeting like-minded people and making new friends.”
Says Pendennis Training Manager Steve Hancock: “Two of our apprentices were kindly sponsored by Superyacht Charities to take part in RYST’s first offshore expedition in 2021. Now we’re delighted to return the compliment. These voyages are tremendously valuable in building practical boat-handling skills and – even more importantly – employability skills such as teamwork, communication and confidence.”
RYST is grateful to this year’s sponsors for their support and we wish Team Helen Mary R all the best for the voyage.