Despite the weather, children from Pencalenick School have been out on the water this summer, getting a taste of sailing and powerboating with Mylor Sailability.
Pencalenick is a special needs school for pupils who have complex or multiple learning needs and disabilities.
The Pencalenick Sailability programme is one of the largest RYST has supported, involving all 175 pupils aged 9-16 in 22 activity days, introducing them to the ocean, building confidence on the water and identifying potential students for future sailing courses.
In addition, a cohort of 12 pupils are working towards the achievement of RYA Level 1.
Judging from what the children had to say, the activity days were a great success.
“It was really good. I liked seeing the seals. I liked going next to the cruise ship. It was the best trip we have done.”
“It was really awesome. I liked it when I dipped my hands in the sea.”
“I liked the powerboat trip best because they were the first seals I have ever seen.”
“I liked steering the sailing boat which I preferred to the powerboat because it was calmer.”
Says Andy Beckett, head of Outdoor Education at Pencalenick: “These activities are a really great learning experience: it’s outdoors, it challenges, and it tests. But mainly it’s fun! As a school community we believe in promoting pupils’ achievement, resilience, safety, wellbeing and aspirations as they journey through life to adulthood. Outdoor adventure on the water meets many of these requirements.”
Budget permitting, we hope to run the programme again in 2025 and 2026.