Sha Tin College Explorer Sailing Week 2021

沙田學院探索航行週

The participants (Sha Tin College Explorer Sailing Week 2021)

The Sha Tin College Explorer Week provides an opportunity for its pupils to stretch themselves beyond their normal comfort zones and become involved in academic, career and sporting activities. Amongst the most popular, according to philosophy teacher Lindsay McGaw, is the Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s Sha Tin College Explorer Sailing Week. “It was heavily over-subscribed for the 42 places on the course,” she exclaimed.

Conditions were perfect for the first two days of the course, with an ideal breeze for beginners and sunny conditions, although the breeze eased on Wednesday and Thursday.

Eighteen pupils underwent dinghy sailing on six RS Picos and five RS Quests qualifying for the Hong Kong Sailing Federations Level 1 & 2 dinghy sailing certificate. The remaining 24 were spread among the five J/80s for keelboat training, each with a qualified instructor on board.

Conditions on Friday, 19 November 2021, were gloomy when the fleet headed out into Port Shelter for the final day, with barely even a zephyr about.

During the week the pupils had undergone extensive training from the club’s instructors – knot tying and navigation were among the most popular land-based activities. The crews on the J/80s were shown how to navigate a course around Shelter Island, which some then accomplished. On Friday, however, they had to plot their own courses to Cascade Bay, where they were later rewarded with a seafood lunch.

沙田學院探索航行週的目的在於提供更多機會予 學生，讓他們跳出舒適圍，在參與學術、職涯發 展的同時，也參加體育活動。哲學老師Lindsay McGaw指，當中最受歡迎的活動是白沙灣遊艇 會的沙田學院探索航行週，她強調說：「原訂名 額為42個，最後報名人數遠遠超過42個。」

活動前兩天的天氣條件非常理想，風勢和陽光充 足，不過活動當日週三和週四的風勢有所緩和。

18名學生乘上6艘RS Pico及5艘RS Quest，最後 獲得香港帆船運動總會一級及二級帆船證書。 其餘的24人則在5艘J/80級上接受龍骨船訓練， 每艘船上皆有一名導師。

2021年11月19日，當隊伍最後一天駛往牛尾海 時，天氣非常惡劣，幾乎沒有風。

不過在這一週裡，學員們完成了多種培訓。 當中打結和定向是最受歡迎的活動。在J/80 級上的學員們學習如何在牛尾島定向，並圍 繞島嶼航行，當中部份隊伍挑戰成功。到了 週五，學員需自行規劃去滘西灣的航行路 線，完成任務後，終能享用一頓豐盛美味的 海鮮午餐慰勞自己。

Fortunately, out on the water, at around 1100, a 6- to 8-knot northeasterly kicked in and the sun briefly broke through the clouds. The participants were able to demonstrate their competencies learned over the week. In groups of three, the single-handed RS Picos were accompanied by an instructor on a RIB with another RIB supporting the RS Quests.

Questioned about what he enjoyed most about the course, Wesley, sailing a J/80, commented that it was team-building, making new friends, and learning the rules of sailing. Oh, as well as learning to avoid the boom. Commendably on the J/80, Jelik 7, they were also able to demonstrate their environmental awareness, taking the trouble to collect floating garbage when there was insufficient breeze to make way.

Those on the RS Picos and RS Quests, including Chesley and Charlie, most enjoyed capsizing their dinghies, while Germaine relished learning how to tie knots. With the breeze having filled in, the fleet made its way to the fish farms in Cascade Bay for a 1230 lunch. Thereafter, the dinghy sailors were returned to their craft whilst the J/80 sailors enjoyed 30 minutes swimming and frolicking at Cascade Bay Beach. By then the breeze had died and the J/80s had to motor or motor-sail back to the Club.

Once back at the Garden Bar, the instructors issued certificates of participation to their students. Summing up, the instructors were all impressed with their students and, in particular, how disciplined and keen they were to learn. Also, on a positive note for the Club several of the pupils expressed an interest in volunteering for the Sailability HK programme. No doubt given the feedback from the lucky ones who joined this year’s programme, next year’s event is also likely to be over-subscribed.

當日約11時，水面上刮起6到8節的東北風，太陽短 暫地衝破了雲層。學員們展示他們在這一週所學 的技能，使出渾身解數。以三人為一組，單人RS Pico船隻配有一名在RIB船隻上的導師，亦有其他 RIB船隻支援RS Quest船隻。 當J/80級船上的學員Wesley被問及他最喜歡課程哪 些內容時，他說這是一個團隊合作的活動，能讓大 家結交新朋友、學習航行規則；還有學會如何避免 與其他船隻碰撞。在J/80級船、Jelik 7上的學員們在 沒有風的時候，他們撿起海面上漂浮的垃圾，充分 展示自身的環保意識。

RS Pico和RS Quest上的Chesley和Charlie，自己的 船在海面上傾覆了不但沒有沮喪還十分激動；而 Germaine則喜歡學習如何打結。微風伴隨著船隊 前往滘西灣的養魚場，大家在12時30分享用午餐。 之後，小艇上的人員已返程，而J/80級上的學員們 則在滘西灣享受了半個小時的游泳和歇息後，因海 面無風，需驅動發動機啟程回白沙灣遊艇會。

回到花園酒吧後，導師給學員們頒發了證書。導師 表示，學員的自律、對學習新事物的熱情給他們留 下了深刻的印象。

當中還有部份學員表示，將來有興趣以義工身份參 加航能香港的活動。從今年活動的反饋來看，明年 的活動可能有更多人參加，反應會更加積極。