Learning new skills is just plain sailing for youngsters

SCHOOL sports such as football, rugby, netball and athletics have always been popular with pupils – but students at St James' School in Grimsby have now added sailing to the list. Groups from the Bargate school have been travelling to Covenham Reservoir, near Louth, for extra curricular fun on the water, thanks to the vision of teacher Mike Casey. Advertisement The boys' housemaster, who has a rich sailing background himself, arranged for pupils to take part in the activity having established links with the Covenham Sailing Club. Mr Casey said: "It's become more and more popular. We have around 35 different children sailing at some point during the week. "I contacted the club and said that I had some kids and wanted to take them sailing. "Some of the pupils were a bit nervous when they started but as the weeks go by they have been getting better and better. "A lot of the pupils are doing really well and it would be my hope that some of them go on to represent the county team, then zone squads, before trying out for the national setup." As well as developing their core strength, the students get a real sense of community by sailing, with many sailing clubs throughout the country being very warm and friendly – according to Mr Casey. When the Grimsby Telegraph paid the young sailors a visit, they were sailing in pairs and many will be preparing for a two-day national sailing regatta, which St James is planning to host next year. There will be a champion field and a regatta field available to competitors. Letters have gone out to over 300 schools and enquiries have already come back from as far away as Northampton and Essex. Headmaster John Price said: "It's fantastic to be hosting a national schools event and another great opportunity for the pupils at St James to develop their confidence. "That's what we want to do, discover talent and give these kids the best chance in life." Sally Mossop, from Marshchapel, is mother to Matilda and she thinks the fact students are able to take up sailing is a "fab opportunity". She said: "All the pupils get on so well, so it's great that they can all sail with their friends. "They've been out on the water – even in high winds. It's brilliant. It's a great challenge for them and they need to work together and, as far I can tell, they've really enjoyed it. "We've done a bit of sailing as a family on holiday but nothing as demanding as this, so we're really grateful that they all have this chance." Daughter Matilda, 10, loves coursing through the water at speed. She said: "I find it really weird because you never know where the wind will be going but it is a lot of fun and I like to go fast." Orianne Dubedat, 10, has also been getting to grips with life on the reservoir. "I'm really enjoying it," she said. "It's great when you go quite fast but when you actually capsize, that's fun as well. "When the sail falls off it can be a bit scary but, as long as you stay calm, you'll be fine." Capping, as capsizing is referred to as, can also be a bit "scary" according to Millie Jennings. The 10-year-old said: "Most weeks the water is fine and sailing is a lot of fun. "I have sailed now with different friends each week and it's important that you work as a team. "I have enjoyed it so much that I would do sailing outside of school." Andrew Morgan, 10, is a thrill-seeker who likes going at high speeds. He said: "Going fast is probably the best bit. If you do cap the sailing boat then sorting yourself out can be a bit tricky, but we've had lots of briefings so we know what to do." Harvey Harris, 10, said he liked surprising his partner with how rapidly he can gather pace but that it was "fun working with other people". He said: "I like it a lot more than football and I currently swim five times a week. Sailing is probably my new favourite." Euan Lynch, 11, has been joined on the water by his father Paul who is a school governor. Euan said: "I find it really fun and I feel I have progressed a lot. I'm a lot more confident than I was so hopefully I can keep improving." Dad Paul said: "Prior to this sequence of lessons, I had only been sailing once. "I came to have a look at the reservoir with Mike and he asked me to help – that was it really. "It's a really good environment for them to learn in and already it seems really popular at the school. "It builds confidence and gets them working as a team. If you do not do things together you'll end up in the water. "It's great for their self-discipline as they have to listen to all the necessary guidance."