On Thursday March 1, as every year at the initiative of the company Caribbean Sail Training co-sponsored by the Maritime School of the West Indies, three sixth grade classes from the Mont des Accords college were able to discover the joys of sailing at aboard a traditional Dutch boat, the Wylde Swann built in 1920.
7:30 am at the college, gathered in front of the bus, the students prepare to spend a day aboard this tall ship with some trepidation. With their three teachers and perfectly equipped, they are ready to face the elements.
Departing from the Fort-Louis navy, it was with great enthusiasm that they embarked on the tender which led them on board.
The first steps on the large bridge are hesitant. Moments of discovery of another space and new people. They will quickly be put in the bath, it is already necessary to tie up the halyards to hoist big jib, sail of foresail and topsail.
By this beautiful sunny morning and by beautiful sea, they leave for a beautiful adventure. They will successively participate in the maneuvers. Steering this tall ship is not an easy task, but everyone is doing well with the help of the pilot who kindly watches over our budding sailors.
The Wylde Swan is already on its way and the captain gives the rules of the boat and safety instructions. Look, they're all listening!
They will also take advantage of the ocean and of this human environment which allows all the discoveries and thanks to the crew they will learn so much ...
After the Pointe du Bluff, discover the outskirts of the Dutch sector and in the distance a regatta is being prepared. The children are through binoculars or their eyes widen. The coast, the ocean, the birds, the boats…. There is so much to observe. The time for the questioning sheet to be completed arrives and gives rise to a general onset of seasickness. It does not matter, it will be completed later.
The day is advancing and we must already consider the return… The Wylde Swan anchors around 15:00 p.m., the children will help to lower and store the foresail with the crew.
Before leaving the edge, they improvise a song and a dance of thanks: "Thank you for this happy day" they sing in rhythm and the captain watches them moved.
Here they are back to earth but there is something changed in their eyes and in their attitude. Undoubtedly deep down they are now a little seafaring and earthlings.
Hoping that this day will be renewed, the school head, the teachers and the children sincerely thank the protagonists for this great action.
The educational team of 603-604 and 607
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