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Local ‘Round the World’ Skipper Inspires Stratford’s Future Sailors

Ashley Skett recently paid a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon’s Sea Cadet Unit to tell the cadets of his adventures in the Clipper Round the World Race. Ashely, a former fire-fighter from Stratford, captained Garmin, one of12 identical Clipper yachts, competing in the 2015-16 race.

Ashley told the cadets about the challenges encountered during the 11 month, 45,000 mile voyage. These ranged from the massive seas of the Southern Ocean, where the crew had to learn to live on a slant for weeks on end (having to wedge themselves into their bunks) - to the frustrating doldrums, where nothing moved.

Using an inflatable globe detailing the route of the 8-leg race, he highlighted how isolated the yachts were at times. Although usually only a day away from their nearest competitor when in the middle of the ocean, Ashley stated, “as well as being closer to the international space station than their families, the space station’s crew were at times closer than any other humans on Earth!”

The cadets asked how the crew coped with sea sickness. “Most people get it” explained Ashley “For some it’s just for a few days, for others it’s the whole trip.”  He added ‘The best thing is to get on deck, and ginger biscuits – eat lots of ginger biscuits!’  This is valuable advice for the cadets, many of whom will be going on offshore trips with the Corps in the coming months.

S/Lt Roger Edmunds, Officer in Charge said “This visit has been inspirational. All of our cadets get the opportunity to learn to sail locally and also to go to sea on the Corp’s yachts or on the TS Royalist, the Sea Cadet’s flagship. Ashley has demonstrated that for the more courageous there is an even more extreme experience to be had on the sea, even if you are from a town as far from the sea as Stratford-upon-Avon.” 

Senior boys from Stratford upon Avon Sea Cadets travelled to Victoria Docks in London to compete in the national rowing competition after qualifying 2^nd in the Area competition.  Rowing a four-man Trinity boat Barnaby Edwards (16), Greg  Harris (15), Joe Sculley (16), Jamie Walters (17) and their cox, Catherine Crowe (17) took 2^nd, 3^rd and 3^rd place in the heats to finish overall 5^th in the country.

The National Regatta experience differed greatly from the Area Competition.  The cadets travelled down to London the night before the races and stayed in a hotel ensuring much more of a build-up.  The conditions were challenging with the rowers battling against the wind at the Excel Centre.   

Officer in Charge S/Lt Roger Edmunds was delighted that TS Gurkha cadets were once again able to reach the national competition.  He said ‘This season has been challenging for our senior boys team, with Cadet 1^st Class Harris breaking his leg days before the Area Competition.  A special mention needs to go to Tom Floyd who rowed in Greg’s place at such short notice.’

TS Gurkha’s performance this year has demonstrated the unit’s continued strength in this discipline.  During the summer both senior and junior rowing teams have been regularly seen by both locals and visitors to Stratford, rowing on the river by the bridges on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 

Sue Moss, Unit Chair,  added ‘This is the last year that this group will row together as a team as many of them will be leaving as they turn 18 or go away for further education.  However their success this year has already inspired our next generation of rowers to greater achievements.  We are definitely looking forward to the 2017 rowing season.’     

Catherine Crowe had the experience of a lifetime when she took part in the Sea Cadet’s International Exchange Programme this year.  Catherine, 17 who has been a Sea Cadet at TS Gurkha, Stratford upon Avon, for 7 years, joined other sea cadets from Belgian, France, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and Austria in Croatia for 10 days.

‘I met some amazing people and as we were all Sea Cadets within our own countries we already had strong bonds although we had never met before.’ said Catherine.  ‘It was wonderful to experience new things together.’

Catherine chose this particular exchange as it concentrated on waterborne and cultural experiences and she was not disappointed.   Kayaking in the Adriatic, sailing around beautiful Croatian islands, longer boat trips, mountain climbing, forest walks and cultural days visiting old towns, churches and the city were all on her itinerary.

 Catherine added ‘Although it was a challenge being away from home on my own, I learnt that it is important to explore the world more, its countries and their history. It isn’t worth living in the world when you know nothing about it.’ 

 ‘The Sea Cadet’s Oversea Exchange gives our cadets the opportunity to broaden their horizons, see cadet life in another country and share experiences,’ explains S/Lt  Roger Edmunds, Officer in Charge.  ‘We are very proud of Leading Cadet Crowe for making the most of her trip and representing TS Gurkha in Croatia.’