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Earlier in the year, I was asked if I would take on a challenge event to fundraise for Sea Cadets, at which point I said, the only two things I could do was swim or climb.  The team told me that they were entering a new challenge event called Swim Serpentine, so I decided I would give it a go.

My biggest worries before I started were:

• I had not been swimming regularly for 20 years
• When will I fit in the practice?
• Will I be able to swim a mile?
• And my biggest worry was how will I raise the minimum amount (£200)

At every opportunity, I tried to practice. I swam in Scotland White Sands and Gorleston on Sea. During my practice period, I began to worry about the cold rather than the distance so I started to have cold showers, and would purposely swim in cold water to see how long I could last.

I really wanted to raise a substantial sum for the offshore team because I really believe in the impact offshore voyages have. I was really surprised at the support I got from friends, family and volunteers -it made me really happy and motivated.

On the day I was terrified. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to finish. I’d never swam in cold water, lakes or ponds for longer than 10 minutes. Plus, I’d never swam in a wetsuit before, which made me panic as I wasn’t sure how it would it affect me.

I also needed to swim without my glasses and I actually can’t see without them, but that turned out to be a good thing because I couldn’t see how far I had left. Although, a swan did get in my way which was interesting considering I couldn't see!

A highlight for me was meeting a lovely lady who was also taking it slow, she kept me company most of the way until we were separated by aggressive swimmers.

I finished the challenge in 1 hour 15 minutes which I am very pleased with. Although, it still feels like someone else did the challenge and not me. If I learnt anything from the experience it would be that you can never practice too much!

- Ami Haralambous, National Fundraising Officer

Sponsor me to raise money for offshore bursaries.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ami-haralambous

Sea Cadets and partners Seafarers UK are celebrating after receiving recognition at the 2019 Maritime UK Awards on 19 September. 

The Marine Engineering Pathway project, run by Sea Cadets and funded by Seafarers UK, won the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) category - sponsored by DFDS – at the prestigious awards ceremony held in Southampton.

The event staged in the presence of Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP, recognised the partnership which began in 2015. The project offers tailored, specific workshops which teach key national curriculum concepts that relate to marine engineering.  Pupils will learn how and why things float, are then tasked to build a boat and challenged to see how much cargo it can hold before it sinks. MEP1, which concluded this year, engaged with 18,000 students while MEP2 (2019 – 2022) is expected to reach in excess of 37,500 students in its lifetime. 

Sally Wilkinson, STEM Program Manager for MEP, said, “This award is fantastic recognition for the hard work and dedication of the team over the last few years. Looking forward, we aim to increase our engagement with younger students, and build on the foundations already laid with key stage three students.  We will also be introducing new workshops and POD taster sessions”.

Many thanks go to our partners Seafarers UK for their funding and co-operation which has led to this award. It’s a credit to staff running the programme that they should be recognised in this way. The Marine Engineering Pathway project is succeeding in introducing the principles of marine engineering to students and long may that work continue.

Martin J Coles, CEO, Sea Cadets

When I went on the Great Glen Trail, I’ll admit I didn’t know I was going to have as much fun as I did. It was a great experience to be a part of and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to go on such an excellent trip away in the Scottish lochs and canals. I met so many new people on my journey that I won’t forget, cadets and staff members and had some memorable moments. I wouldn’t ask for better people to enjoy the experience with. From camping to the actually kayaking approximately 60 miles up to Inverness; I had the best experience of my life and I would recommend that others should have a go at the Great Glen Trail whether it be a part of Sea Cadets or a part of a group of friends or family.

From the whole week, I would say that my favourite part of the whole trip was the day we set off into Loch Ness. Surfing the rough water while getting soaked in the process and how we had to wild camp on a bank. It gave me a sense of freedom looking across the loch. Seeing the high mountains that towered over the water, smothered by the fog, giving such a beautiful landscape. Not only that, kayaking the next morning with the idea of finishing the whole trip felt amazing.

Having a great feeling of triumph and pride when we did the Great Glen was quite possibly the best feeling I’ve ever had.

- Able Cadet David, Maryport and Solway Unit

Over 450 cadets enjoyed the weather and the competitive experience as Sea Cadets staged their National Combined Regatta at London’s Royal Docks/Excel Centre.

Cadets were vocal and excited to take part in an event which tested their water-based skills in rowing, paddlesports and boat handling.

Sportsmanship was particularly on show when a Northern Area cadet stopped in the closing stages of his race, giving up his chance to win so that he could help a fellow competitor in difficulties.

Acts such as this demonstrate some of Sea Cadets’ core values to their finest –courage to do the right thing, respect, honesty and integrity.

It was Southern Area who won overall classes in three sections – Trinity Rowing, Yole Rowing and Boat Handling – while taking a share with Eastern Area in the overall Paddlesports category.

Strong, consistent performances from Salisbury’s cadets saw Southern Area take the Trinity Rowing section by just a point from the unfortunate Eastern Area (Scarborough. Worksop and Northampton).

Salisbury again combined with Westerham to narrowly claim the Yole Rowing title, the Badger Cup from South West Area (Tewkesbury and Coventry).

It was another tight competition in Boat Handling, where Salisbury, Sheppey and Herne Bay nudged Southern Area ahead of both South West Area (Milford Haven, Rugby/Shirley and Neath) and North West Area (Fleetwood and Maryport & Solway) again by the smallest of margins.

But strong performances from Eastern Area prevented Southern Area from a clean sweep by taking a share of the Paddlesports title. 

Captain Philip Russell RN, Captain of the Sea Cadets said, “It’s been another highly successful National Combined Regatta with the cadets learning new skills and having an enormous amount of fun.”

“Many thanks for all the hard work of the volunteers who prepare the teams, those who give up their time to make this event happen and especially the cadets who will take lasting, positive memories of the day home with them.”

Following the regatta, Northern Area’s Captain Peter Adams received thanks for his support of Sea Cadets’ competitions prior to his retirement.

In addition, Lt Cdr Dennis Archbold who runs Fleetwood Sea Cadets received 5th Bar to his Cadet Forces Medal in honour of his long service.

Lt Cdr Frank Cea received his Queen’s Commissioning Scroll as HQ Staff Officer for Boats.

Full results are available here

Hello, I am Leading Cadet McKenzie T.

Last weekend I travelled to London to take part in Sea Cadets’ National Band competition at the Tower of London.

This was my last cadet competition before I start training for the Royal Navy and over my 6 years of life in Sea Cadets, I can by far say that this stands out as my best experience.

I took part to represent Southport Sea Cadets as a Bugler and bell lyre player in our unit band, as well as competing in the solo bugling competition.

Southport Sea Cadet’s unit band won the area competition, which meant we represented the North West Area. We were the smallest band in the competition against the other areas. Despite this, after months of hard work and commitment from every member, our band placed 4th overall which felt very rewarding and proved that hard work pays off.

The standard was very high, and watching the others bands perform was also an amazing experience because seeing the hard work and skill of so many other cadets in action made everyone feel proud to be part of such a special, talented organisation and prestigious event.

However, the best part for me was definitely seeing the support from our units staff and parents, We had a large group of them travelling down to watch us and after our display, seeing their reactions made a lot of our band overcome with emotion and that was the moment when we realised that we should all be extremely proud.

In the solo bugling event, I placed 3rd, therefore received a bronze medal which feels fantastic to come away from a national competition with.  However, looking aside from the competitive element of it all, I would recommend every sea cadet join a unit or massed band if possible.

It really doesn’t matter what musical capabilities you have, there is, in every band, a role for you.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and the majority of our band had no idea what they were capable of until they tried something new.

For example, my brother Leading Cadet McKenzie O only started to practice the role of being drum major a few weeks before we played at nationals, only to receive a silver medal for being the 2nd best drum major in the country.

So, you never know! Start practising and two years from now you could be at the Tower of London having so much fun! Because, in the end, no matter where anyone placed, the whole weekend was a rewarding, proud and exciting experience. And, the support, happiness and talent radiating from everyone there was the best I’ve ever seen at a Sea Cadet event.  

Well done everyone! 

- LC Mckenzie, Southport