On last Sunday afternoon, 24 girl scouts aged 6 to 12years old visited SAIL GLOBAL base. They are primary students from Suzhou Dulwich International School and Suzhou Singapore International School, which are known as “top 100 international schools of China ”.
The organization of Girl Scouts emphasizes participation in various social activities to grow female leadership, cultivate girls' moral character, build girls' confidence, and experience the spirit of teamwork and mutual assistance. For example, former first lady and former Secretary of State of US Hillary Clinton also had joined the Girl Scouts. This time, these girl scouts took the challenge to join a sailing race led by coaches from SAIL GLOBAL for the first time of their lives.
Preparation
When they arrived at event place, the girl scouts gathered in the club house. SAIL GLOBAL had prepared them fine presents.
The founder Chris started with a speech of welcome. Girl scouts study in a complete English environment so that there's no problem to understand him.
Next was about sailing. Chris, as a sailing expert, explained to the girl scouts the structure of sailboat and sailing principles of sailing ships in the most simple and understandable way. More importantly, he told everyone the safety rules on the boat to ensure that no one would engage in high-risk behaviors.
After the theoretical knowledge session, Chris led the girls to tie a sailor knot. The simple and tight figure-8 knot can be used not only on a sailboat, but also at home and in the wild. The girl scouts have added another item to their skill set.
Flag-making
The girl scouts were divided into four groups. Each group had a sailboat with two coaches on board to skipper the boat and to keep the girl on board safe. When the teams were settled, the girl scouts received their first task: make a team flag.
This was a very creative part of the event. The girl scouts twittered their ideas with teammates and started to create their own patterns on the blank flag with colorful marker pens. After a while, every team finished. Team 3 had three giant octopuses on its flag. A group had a whale. Another mixed pirate logos, crabs and sharks. And team 4 highlighted their slogan “Sailing 4 Life”. Girls’ creativity erupted through these lovely and amazing flags.
Go aboard
Coming to the dock, the coach put the team flag hanging on the rigging. The flag fluttered in the wind, indicating that the weather was just right for sailing. The coach checked each girl's life jackets carefully to see if they were properly fitted and helped them onto the boat. Some parents also came on board with their children to experience the feeling of sailing.
All the girl scouts were the first time to sit on a sailboat. They were slightly nervous in the beginning, but they were excited to sail on the lake. Finally, the coach were ready to leave the dock. When boats slowly moved on the lake, the scouts were gradually adapting to it, happily greeting to friends in other team's. Lots of laugh and talk floated on the lake.
Sailing
At the beginning of the game, the four teams chased each other on the lake. The girl scouts were fully adapted to the sport, shouting for their team together and constantly reminding the coach "Hurry up, they are catching up".
When a sailboat changed it direction, the hull might heel sharply to one side. Girl scouts even touched the cool water while holding on to the railing.
Someone volunteered to steer the boat. And the coach readily agreed, patiently guiding by the side. Between games, the girl scouts suddenly asked for a "secret meeting" in the cabin. And the coach agreed to let them hide in the cabin sharing their little secrets.
The girl scouts used the walkie-talkies on boat to speak to other teams and to show off to the lagging groups. All of them had a great time.
Ending
After the game, the girl scouts got off the boat and head back to the club house where SAIL GLOBAL prepared medals for every scout who took part. The winning team also got a pair of sailing gloves and a "winner" medal. Girls were still immersed in the excitement of sailing, happily gathered with friends to share the feelings.
Chris concludes by praising the girl scouts for their courageous performance in the event, encouraging them to participate more in outdoor sports, and thanking everyone for their participation. As Chris announced the end of the program, the girl scouts completed their first sailing adventure.
Coaches' feedback
Coach of Team 1
Freddy / Stan
For our Boat group 1 the Kids have a lot of Fun but moving a lot from the Boat in the Lobby some of them feel cold but some are even play the Helmsmen for a while. We specially put the Jib in so easier for them to try to move the Boat! We also had one Father with us he liked to know a lot about sailing!
Coach of team 2
Alexandra
The girls had fun beeing on the boat. In the beginning they were a bit frighten when the boat would heel, but later they would cheer the Skipper to go faster, faster, faster. I am sure that even the two Daddy's, which were on the boat with us, had a lot of fun, since each of them were responsible for one winch and pulling the jib from Starboard to Port and back.
Coach of team 2
George
I think all the girls and the 2 dads had fun. The dads got to work on the sheets for each tack, thanks which they seemingly enjoyed. The team at first was a bit scared I think, but with something entertainment by Alex they started to enjoy. In the second round of the Race they couldn’t sail fast enough despite we were heeling a lot in the wind. They all wanted to touch water and in the end been all enthusiastic about the sailing fun....
Coach of team 3
VI Ton / KiryI
Kids have been very excited throughout the ride, jumping around a lot and were happy. No touching of rudder or yard lines were allowed on our boat due to strict safety regulations. We had one farther and the trip leader on our boat, who also were excited as the boat heeled. Some t-shirt got even a little wet, but came home safely.
Coach of team 4
Marc
At the beginning I was a little nervous if the girls would like to be on the sailing boat. But after we were sailing under sail the first girl asked me for secrets to drive faster. So I knew they are having as much fun as I had. Thanks again to the amazing crew members in team 4 and Christian. Saling 4 life.
Chris' comments
Chris
Coach of team 4 & founder of Sail Global
Girls they are super happy and always laugh out. Though the boat was heeling and a little bit wind, they still have much fun. And we are first one to finish the race, and they shout at other boats “loser, loser” and speaking with others through the walkie-talkie “we are the champions”. For 2-3 times, girls went down into the cabin for a secret meeting discussing something important. Most of them are first time on a sialing boat. It is good for them to see and get close to waves and nature. I hope it could give them a good impression about sailing. They also had seen there were a lot small boats for kid’s sailing. Let’s see whether where will be someone come back to try it. Thanks to SAIL GLOBAL team a lot for being the coach on the boats. And thanks to leaders of Suzhou Girl Scout Troop 06101，Rich and Saartje，and to Franky who took video with
drone.
Children are full of curiosity about new stuff. However, today, the main way for them to acquire knowledge outside the classroom is through the internet. Mobile phones and other electronic devices have become the main window for them to know the world. The companionship of parents, the communication with peers and the zero-distance contact with nature are more conducive to their overall growth.
In the sailing event, the girls were afraid of sailing at the beginning and enjoyed it in the end. The change quietly happened in the experience. They had not only showed their own creative ideas, also understood the spirit of the team. More importantly, they had overcome the fear of the unknown. This is exactly the healthy lifestyle the SAIL GLOBAL international sailing community advocates: to embrace nature and to have an active attitude for life.
We’d like to tell all the girls (also to all the female adults): sailing is a sport without gender-orientation.
A sailing girl is funny and generous, no a hint of haze in her heart. A sailing girl is calm and rational, never being at a loss when troubles come. A sailing girl is romantic and sincere, her life never lacking colors. A sailing girl is independent and strong, nothing being able to break her heart. A sailing girl is healthy and slim tasting all the delicious food but good figure stays. Sisters, are you ready to SAIL with us ?
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