London to Weymouth adventure for students

by Kate Holmes on 12 Apr 2011 Students from London and Dorset link games venues through a sail training adventure from London to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Year 10 students from London and Dorset are combining forces this week as part of a two week adventure sail training programme on board the 62 foot gaff ketch, Morning Star of Revelation. The students who departed from London on April 9th are expected to reach the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) by April 17th for the official crew change, with the ketch departing again from the Academy on April 18th bound for an arrival in London on April 25th.

Students have been selected from the Royal Manor Arts College on Portland and Kidbrooke School in Greenwich. The voyage builds on a history of adventure sailing at the Royal Manor School which was developed through co-operation with Revive Portland and the Morning Star Trust. For the London based Kidbrooke School this is the first taste of sail training for their pupils.

The selected passage for the sail training is of particular significance due to it linking two such important iconic sporting locations in the UK. The Morning Star of Revelation is currently sailing from the East End of London where in little under 500 days the Opening Ceremony for the Games will be held to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the venue for the sailing competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

During the route that will take in the South Coast of England before heading to the Jurassic Coast off Weymouth and Portland, the crew will undergo sail training in offshore conditions. This will be a unique experience for the school pupils and the chance to forge new friendships with children from another part of the UK.

The experience will have a positive impact on these students which has been made possible through the generous support of the Whirlwind Trust which has funded this Exchange and last year’s expedition.

John Tweed, Chief Executive, WPNSA, commented, ‘this is a first class opportunity to link the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy with London in such a positive youth based marine training adventure. We are looking forward to hosting the crew change for the Exchange later this week and support the development of the Dorset and London based students sailing skills’.

www.wpnsa.org.uk