Summer camp（18-23 Jul.): Different sailing, the same funtime

The second group of campers had completed their 6-day-5-night sailing camp with happy memories at SAIL GLOBAL Suzhou base from 18th July to 23rd July. Different from last group, the new session was composed of younger teenagers and girls had outnumbered boys this time. How would they spend the week with SAIL GLOBAL? The weather forecast had shown that the sailing version of The Fast and The Furious was going to take place on Taihu Lake.

SAIL GLOBAL team had given adequate freedom to 14 youths to decide whether they wanted to join the “ASA team” which is for those who wanted to learn sailing and get an ASA101 certificate, or “non-ASA team”which is for those who only took sailing as a means for fun. It is also the interesting essence of sailing that one can always enjoy it through different ways. For campers, to choose one team didn’t mean they had lost the chance for the other. They could change their mind at any time if they want. It had been proved to a correct and effective measure for youths. At the very beginning, they had their rough ideas on sailing. Two days later, all of them had clearly knew what to do in the rest of the week.

Those who had chosen the team of fun would also have the opportunity to learn sailing theories and basic skills like knots and steering. While the team for certificate also wouldn’t miss the funtime on water as the thrilling wind was awaiting them.

The truth of sailing on Taihu Lake is that you can’t always have both the sun and the wind at same time.However,this week, we could. The sailing was absolutely an adventure for girls and boys as the high speed of boat and much more heeling made it far more exciting than those projects in amusement park, even a little bit scaring for some of them.

 It was surprisingly to see every one had shown the bravest side taking the tiller and shouting out orders to the crew who worked in tense and highly focused mood, which were really impressive teamwork by those young sailors under the guidance of instructor Chris. 

It was still hardly to believe a group of youths basically with no previous experiences could skipper an 8 meters long sailboat in such rough conditions. But they just did it! What a week!

While their peers were practicing tacking and other skills , the non-ASA team were enjoying sailing in another way.Asistant coaches Summer and Michael had taken them to explore the island beyond the bay. On this sailboat, campers were welcome to take some works like trimming the sails or steering but those were not required tasks. When the boat was back to marina, funtime continued. The floating mat was a on-water stage for them to play, which could be a runway, a burrito or aircraft carrier with “ flesh engines” .

Moreover, SUPs and kayaks also brought them endless fun. One thing that they would never get tired of is jumping into the water, from the dock, from the bow of boat, in sequence, in groups. Lots of creative jumping had told that funtime never stopped here.

On the fifth day, campers had encountered the most beautiful and amazing sunset on the lake. Some girls took out pen and paper to grasp the moment though sketching. Boys had become heroes to rescue girls’ ball fell into the water. The relaxing after-sailing group time was one of the most memorable highlights during the past week.

Since multinational campers have different tastes and preferences, SAIL GLOBAL had listed all available food for lunch to choose to make sure campers could get enough nutrition and caloric. 

The menu for dinner would also change according to the empty plates of last time. Though t was a challenge to coordinate food with the variety of preferences, SAIL GLOBAL team always tried our best to meet campers’ demand.

Among the campers, some of them have been already old friends since kindergarten while some just met for the first time. In the past week, they had helped each other to learn, encouraged teammates on board, played with others in “big nature swimming pool” and competed with each other in the test. Old friends had get new memories and new friends had been made after going through those unforgettable days. In the closing ceremony, the instructor had also given out his invitation: those who want to strengthen their skill can come back later for one-day free practice. Guess they had already looked forward to meeting sailing fellows again soon.

SAIL GLOBAL team had received lots of compliments form parents as their kids really had a great time with SAIL GLOBAL in the past week.We are glad to share some of them in the form of pictures.

Sailing enables us to closely experience the power of and beauty of nature. And it awakens our bravery and ambition deep down. More importantly, it is sailing that connects us together. Both old and new friends, are motivated by joint mission and goals, completing team works through mutual support and communication. These golden summer days are worth to be treasured in the memories of them.