Recently, we were able to meet up with Maliha and Eva, who embarked on a long journey on a sailboat, with help from the Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary Club. Both girls had a bit of experience with camping, but were looking for the ultimate challenge, and found it through sailing. We both had questions about the experience, as we were very curious about it.
Ambedo: What is the Young Endeavor sailing trip?
M&E: The sailing trip is a 4-day challenge around Port Phillip Bay, which takes place with a group of students chosen from around Victoria. The trip is about embarking on a tall sailing ship, which is an exact replica of the Enterprize, originally built in Hobart in 1830. We learnt all about boat life, and we lived in a very small space with minimal rooms under deck. We learnt how to work the ropes on board, helming the boat (steering) and most importantly, meeting and working with new people and making new friends.
Ambedo: What inspired you to go on the sailing trip?
M&E: One day at school, Eva and I noticed on the school boards that a sailing trip was advertised and offered for secondary school students. Straight away, we knew this was our thing and we would love it. Previously we went on a camp for a week on the Glenelg River, past the Grampians, where we camped under a tarp and canoed over 15km each day. It was the best experience ever. A sailing trip where we would be challenged to the max, meet new people and try new things sounded awesome. First, we got in contact with Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary Club, who sponsors the chosen students, with a few meet and greets. We met Stew Annan, and explained why we wanted to take part in the trip. We signed up straight away and before we knew it, we had been accepted. The day came around so fast, and we were ready to sail!
Ambedo: What were some of the highlights of the journey?
M&E: The best memory for us was definitely making new friends. Straight away, Eva and I met a girl named Mel, we all had so much in common and got along instantly. We became friends with everyone on the boat, and we felt like we had all known each other for years. Eva really enjoyed climbing up on the topsail to unfurl the sail when the wind had changed direction. It was extremely windy and she was harnessed to the boat with the best view of the ocean. Maliha’s second-best memory was the food on the boat. The chef, Curtis, was amazing and he cooked the best food ever. Every day we were served breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, as well as plenty of snacks throughout the day. We weren’t left hungry!
Ambedo: And how about the biggest challenge? What was it?
M&E: The biggest challenge we faced on the sailing trip was having to do night shifts. It was mostly looking out for other boats, checking the anchor, determining what way the boat was facing, plus many more duties. This left us extremely tired with little to no sleep for the upcoming day. On top of that, I was also seasick during the trip. At one stage I was throwing up, tied to the side of the boat with my life jacket on. I won’t be forgetting this part, but it was only a minor challenge and with some medication I got over my sea sickness within a few hours.
Ambedo: Anything else you wanted to add?
M&E: If you were thinking about doing the sailing trip, I would 100% recommend it. It may sound scary and difficult at the start, but you won’t regret it. You will meet some amazing people along the way, including the crew on board, new friends, along with many challenges.
Eva and I would like to thank the Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary club who sponsored us for our sailing trip, most importantly, Stew Annan, who we had the privilege of meeting multiple times and who helped us the most with the sponsoring.