{"id":4824,"date":"2019-11-13T15:41:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-13T15:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/?p=4824"},"modified":"2019-11-13T15:41:00","modified_gmt":"2019-11-13T15:41:00","slug":"reflections-on-biscay-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/reflections-on-biscay-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections – Deep Sea Challenge: Biscay ’19"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A

The deep sea challenge<\/p><\/div>\n

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In the final blog for this trip crew member, Ian, give us his reflections on an epic adventure of storming seas, champagne down-wind sailing and friends forged through teamwork.<\/em><\/p>\n

Deep Sea Challenge, reflections upon the voyage<\/h2>\n

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Those familiar with the Hollywood film the Wizard of Oz will know that it can be enjoyed at many different levels: a lovely story with larger than life characters and memorable song & dance routines.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s also about friendship and the rites of passage through life; a discovery of one\u2019s own inner strengths.\u00a0 Similarly the First Class Sailing\/Tall Ships \u2018Deep Sea Challenge\u2019 had all of these elements and more.<\/p>\n

At the beginning we started as an odd-ball collection of individuals by age, gender, nationality and background.\u00a0 Some had lots of sailing experience, others barely any. We each had quite different reasons for joining the voyage.\u00a0 \u00a0A few were using it as preparation for the ARC (the transatlantic race starting a few days after our arrival in Gran Canaria), others as a mile-builder, some an introduction to big-boat sailing and some just for the romance of the sea. \u00a0\u00a0All perfectly good and valid reasons, Dorothy and her companions were just as eclectic.<\/p>\n

Outside the comfort zone<\/h3>\n

As we went through each stage of the voyage we each learned more than we ever anticipated; about ourselves and each other. We all did things that were outside our comfort zone but we each found hidden depths that enabled us to get through it. \u00a0Just like Scarecrow and the Tin-man<\/p>\n

\"Hard

Hard work in the galley<\/p><\/div>\n

We all helped each other through the tough moments.\u00a0 Plainly, Hurricane Pablo was an especially difficult day, but all of the other days each had their moments. Sail changes can\u2019t be done single handed nor can cooking a meal.\u00a0 Again, Dorothy and her companions needed to work together in order to get to Oz.<\/p>\n

Despite the discomfort of waking every few hours, don wet kit and go on deck when we least felt like it. We still had the ability to find the fun and dark-humour to make light of the situation.\u00a0 Just like Scarecrow and the Tin-man we helped each other, often with a joke.<\/p>\n

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\"Take

Take the helm<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Good Times<\/h3>\n

Plainly it wasn\u2019t tough every day. There were plenty of exhilarating days sailing downwind and surfing the waves. There were so many dolphins that we lost count, plus we met sharks and turtles.\u00a0 More than a few flying fish landed on the deck, even a squid. It doesn\u2019t get much better than this.\u00a0 We had a whale of a time even if we didn\u2019t see any! There were song and dance routines most days, perhaps less accomplished than Judy Garland but far better than dodgy-dad dancing.<\/p>\n

\"Plenty

Plenty of time for reflections<\/p><\/div>\n

Somehow, we also found time for theory, aero-foils, meteorology, stability of floating bodies and more, generally after the excellent meals that were enjoyed by all.<\/p>\n

Teamwork<\/h3>\n

We started the voyage as individuals but we finished it as a team. We learned to appreciate, understand and value the individual strengths and abilities that each of us possessed so that we could deploy, collectively, our individual skills to enable us to take-on the challenge and achieve whatever we were required to do.\u00a0 Even those who had to leave early still actively participated in our WhatsApp group; engaged in spirit if not in body.<\/p>\n

\"Team

Team work<\/p><\/div>\n

Plainly, a great deal of the credit must go to Terry and Lindsey.\u00a0 Not only did they provide the technical know-how to sail Challenger 2 they also facilitated a team-building and learning approach to enable us to gel as a crew. \u00a0\u00a0However, leadership, isn\u2019t just a top-down process, it arises at all levels so thanks to Lee, Steve and Chris and the others who each pitched in to pick up some issues and make it work when others couldn\u2019t see the way forward.<\/p>\n

At the end of the movie, Dorothy was able to click her heels and return to Kansas.\u00a0 Today a few of us will let the plane take the strain but others will continue into the West with the ARC better prepared that we might ever have expected.<\/p>\n

\"Onwards

Onwards and upwards<\/p><\/div>\n

First Class Sailing and Tall Ships have exceeded our expectations in so many ways.\u00a0 We are bigger, better and more resourceful now than we were at the beginning; we have travelled the Yellow Brick Road and can defeat the Wicked Witch of the West.<\/p>\n

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Ian Jenkinson (on behalf of the crew of Challenger2) Carsington Sailing Club, Derbyshire<\/p>\n

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More blogs about this Atlantic Adventure can be read here: Portsmouth to Gran Canaria<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Book Your Own Atlantic Adventure<\/h2>\n

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