From Bursary Voyage to Trainee Watch Leader

This weekend I finished my Watch Leader Training with the Tall Ships Youth Trust. If you’d told me as a teenager that one day I’d be doing this, I don’t think I would have believed you. Back then, I was given a bursary through my local youth group to join a voyage for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was the start of something that’s shaped so much of my life.

Since then I’ve been lucky enough to sail not just with the Tall Ships Youth Trust, but also with CatZero and Challenge Wales. Each time I’ve stepped on board I’ve come away with more confidence, new skills, and a little bit more belief in myself.

There have been plenty of scary moments along the way. The first time I climbed the mast my legs wouldn’t stop shaking. The man overboard drills where you abseil down the side of the yacht were nerve-wracking. Jumping off the bow into open water really pushed me.

And then there was the voyage from Vigo to Madeira. Midway across the Atlantic, our engine failed completely and we were left drifting, 100 miles from land, with no wind to carry us. For hours we sat in silence on a calm ocean, conserving water and waiting for nature to give us a way out. It was frightening — the first time I really felt the weight of danger at sea. But when the wind finally returned and our sails filled, the relief and sense of resilience among the crew was unforgettable. Moments like that remind you just how small we are compared to the sea, and just how strong we can be when we face it together.

For me though, the hardest battles have been the quiet ones — things like social anxiety. I’ve carried that into adulthood, and it used to make me dread public speaking, ice breakers, introductions, even just meeting new people. But sailing has chipped away at it. Spending long days and nights at sea with people you’ve only just met, relying on them and knowing they relied on me too, slowly gave me a different kind of confidence.

The staff and skippers I’ve sailed with have all played a big part in that. More than once they suggested I come back as volunteer crew. For years I put it off because I didn’t think I could do it. I never imagined myself stepping into that role. But eventually, after enough sea miles under my belt, I found the courage to try.

This training weekend felt like a real turning point. I had the chance to lead sail hoists and take charge of team tasks. That might sound small, but for me it was huge. Leadership doesn’t come naturally to me. I can still freeze up, forget what I know, and doubt myself when nerves kick in. But this time I managed to push through. I gave instructions, I kept going, and I realised that with practice, it will get easier.

When I think back to where this started — a shy young person given the chance to go to sea through a bursary — and then look at where I am now, it’s been a long journey. Not always easy, but absolutely worth it.

So this is a thank you. To everyone who opened doors for me, set me challenges, and supported me through them. You’ve shown me that bravery isn’t about having no fear, it’s about taking the next step even when the fear is still there.

And if you’re reading this, I’d encourage you to find a way to support opportunities like these. It might be your time, your voice, or your resources. However you can, it makes a difference. Because what happens on board doesn’t just stay there — it can change the whole direction of a young person’s life.