Ocean Cruising Club's trust makes first significant award - supporting Scaramouche Sailing Trust

Girls from Greig City Academy experienced the thrill of a four-day sailing adventure © OCC

Numerous girls from London's Greig City Academy experienced the thrill of a four-day sailing adventure this past March, in part due to the Ocean Cruising Club Charitable Trust's (OCCCT) first major award to the school's sailing project.

A total of ten teenage girls from the academy participated in all aspects of running a sailing yacht—planning, food preparation, standing watch and helming. Said one girl, "The best part of sailing is the rush of energy you feel while on the water."

The Scaramouche Sailing Trust, a project of the Greig City Academy, London, UK, helps young people, "who would never otherwise get afloat, reach the heights of sailing." Greig City Academy is an inner-city, state-supported secondary school which focuses on academic excellence, moral character and leadership development. The Academy's sailing program develops competent and accomplished sailors in pursuit of those goals.

The financial support of the OCCCT and the Royal Thames Yacht Club provided an unforgettable experience on board the SV Donald Searle, (a yacht run by the Rona Sailing project charity.). The crew, along with their adult volunteer mentors, spent four days and nights sailing the Solent, participating in all aspect of running the boat above and below decks.

There was sunshine, rain, wind and storms. But all the girls dug deep, worked hard together and had lots of fun learning how to sail and live aboard a large yacht in sometimes challenging conditions.

The girls all received their RYA Start Yachting Certificate and have hopes of continuing their sailing education in the years ahead.

Girls from Greig City Academy experienced the thrill of a four-day sailing adventure - photo © OCC