Twenty-two Scouts and their Leaders took to the Solent recently aboard two yachts for a weekend experience of sailing, sleeping on board for two nights. The yachts sailed out of the Hamble River and across the Solent,

staying on a marina in Gosport overnight.

The conditions were light on Saturday, with a force four-to-five on Sunday, when the boats were under full sail and some awesome sailing was had.

The boats – Thermopylae, a sixty-foot cutter, and Discovery, a 45-foot cutter – are run by The Discovery Project, part of The Scout Association. The project runs week and weekend cruises targeted at youth organisations and schools, and participates in international sail training events such as the Tall Ships Race. The voyages create a safe yet challenging environment where the young crews can build resilience, team work and perseverance as they work to sail the demanding yachts.

A mother of two of the Scouts said: “My sons had a fantastic time on the sailing trip. It is an amazing experience for them and one which most people will never have in their lifetime. Thank you so much. Hopefully they will get to do it again.”

John Mander