2010 Trip 1 - Pacific Swift

As we sit in a calm wooded anchorage feeling the warmth of the sun,
it feels that just mabye, summer has arrived.
Four days have now passed since the Swift´s compliment of 28 trainees
signed aboard in Victoria Harbour. It is a wonderful blend of ages,
sailing experiences and backgrounds, some trainees are joining for the
first time whilst others are back for their 4th trip. Our first day out
granted us the good fortune of setting sail shortly beyond the harbour.
We set courses, squaretop and mainsail, it was a delight to see all
hands turn to and accomplish their first tasks together handling the
ship as she surged along at 8 knots. The day passed well with trainees
becoming very comfortable with each clustering in groups about the deck
and exploring their new surroundings. We dropped sail to thread through
Active Pass emerging into the Strait of Georgia to experience a
brilliant fuchsia sunset compressed beneath a lowering ceiling of cloud.
With the promise of favourable weather we shaped a course north to head
directly to the warm waters of Desolation Sound. The night run was very
smooth, all the trainees did an excellent job of steering the ship
through the night by compass under their officer´s watchful gaze. Around
1400 of the following day we dropped our anchor into the welcoming sands
of Savary Island.Always a popular destination, Savary offered up its
usual treasures of flat sandy beaches and warm bathing waters for all to
enjoy after a long 24 hours at sea. That evening ,settled at anchor, we
started to get a feeling for the mug-up programme. Mug-up is a daily
event comprising of games, singing, topped of with a good measure of hot
chocolate and cookies. The trainees are all participating very well and
taking to all aspects of the programme and shipboard life, we are very
encouraged at how well the onboard community is already coming together.
Yesterday was perhaps one of the best days of sailing we have seen in
awhile. After weighing, anchor all hands were roused to set every stitch
of fore and aft canvas. In a breeze that started as a whisper we set off
to beat our way north into the heart of Desolation Sound, Teakearne Arm.
As the wind strengthened so too did our resolution to sail all the way
making all available effort  to gain every inch to weather.The majority
of the day had the Swift heeling steadily under 20 knots of breeze,
threading her way through the islands and narrow channels of the sound.
With the wind in our teeth we were forced to tack many times, oft in
quick succession. This allowed for the trainees to really develop their
understanding of the ship, but more importantly the lesson and pride of
working together in an exciting and challenging arena.There was never a
dull moment through the full  9 hours of sailing, with sails dropped and
reset, sheeted and jiggered till at last we bore away into Teakearne
Arm. Our reward...10 knots as the Arm´s waterfall hove in sight and the
snow capped peaks gazed down. Beautiful. In the evening we rafted to the
Grace to share in games and singing. All this brings us to
today...sunshine, warmth, waterfalls, lakes and sailing. Under a warm
sun we bid farewell to the Grace and settled in to our anchorage near
the falls. Once secure we made our way to Castle Lake at the head of the
falls to enjoy a refreshing dip in its tepid waters. Trainees enjoyed
the fresh water while some intrepid intermediates completed their swim
tests. Once the sun had risen sufficiently to encompass the falls, we
rowed over to the cascade that tumbles into the sea. We bathed in it´s
pools and refreshing stream, feeling a couple days washed well away. The
afternoon slipped pleasantly bye as we sailed along under square sails,
while lessons were taught and trainees climbed aloft to experience
loosing and furling the square topsail high on the yards. It is a
brilliantly clear day and the wooded hills rising steeply around us and
majestic peaks were welcome company. We are now settled in Grace Harbour
to spend the evening with games and some group building activities. All
are well and having a grand time, with just a couple rosy cheeks as a
memento of the day´s sun.

We awoke to a brilliant clear sky after spending a peaceful still
night under the canopy of stars, untouched by the normal light
interference of cities and homes. After dishes wrapped up the watches
climbed into the now familiar dories for a row into the inner basin past
the rocky shores of Grace Harbour.  After a good row, where various
trainees tried their hand at coxswaining the dories to the beach, we set
off to find the lake promised on the charts. We enjoyed a light hike
through the lush temperate rainforest, where ferns tugged at our ankles,
cedars watched silently and the sun dappled through leaves overhead. The
lake was still and pristine with only a lone beaver departing his dam to
disturb the scene. That soon came to end as trainees and crew dove into
the warm waters to once again enjoy the abundant fresh water of
Desolation Sound. Back aboard the Swift an excellent effort was made to
weigh the dories and anchor and set off for new adventures. The midday
sun was accompanied by calm winds so we set off to search for wind in
the Strait of Georgia and perhaps sail south towards Hornby Island. Wind
was soon found and full sail was set to take advantage of the long run
down, with the promise of more wind in the forecast. Trainees are
increasingly taking initiative to work the ship in ways large and small,
many took part in handling the topsails aloft as the wind fell light and
we are now forced to motorsail south with the hope that the breeze will
return. The sea is as glassy as the morning´s lake, however the horizon
is now rimmed with the frosty peaks of both Vancouver Island and the
mainland.  The activities of life aboard carry on with lessons, ropework
for secret friends, games and the routine of watch to pass the time. We
are making good time however towards Hornby and we will likely be
anchored this evening. That will allow us to take full advantage of the
morning low water to play a game on Tribune Bay´s flat sands.

Day 6 aboard the Pacific Swift dawned under an already blazing sun, the ship steaming  and gleaming after fore watche´s efforts during morning clean-up.  Filled with a delicious rhubarb crisp we set off on the hearty row to the sands of Tribune Bay. As the dories gently came aground on the beach, the clear waters speckled with sand dollars were reminiscent of offshore landings on the far off  beaches of Costa Rica or Tahiti. Honouring the World Cup, the ship´s company divided into soccer sides to compete for the Hornby Cup. It was a tight fought match with the Portside Port-a-Pots edging the Starboard  Vuvuzelas 2-1 in extra time. The afternoon consisted of a much needed swim stop, complete with ropeswing and water polo, followed by lessons and the writing of the junior sailing exam. It was very hot today with respite available only by diving into the ocean, the cooks toiled admirably in the heat below to churn out delicious meal after delicious meal. This evening we plan to spend some time working towards further group development through some games and discussions.

Today´s grand adventure was to explore Jedidiah Island, which we
have never visited before. The morning was once again warm and sunny and
we haven´t seen a cloud in four days. We had a gentle sail to the island
with trainees working the topsail aloft with greater skill and
confidence. The Swift clung to the steep shores of Jedidiah as the
dories rowed into the beautiful warm still lagoon overlooked by the
ruins of the old homestead founded in 1903. The whole island is a park
set in a beautiful semi-arid Mediterranean climate, which was on full
display today. Upland from the picturesque lagoon are the remnants of
the farm, an orchard, barn, workshop and pastureland slowly returning to
nature. After exploring the ruins we enjoyed a game in the hot sun
before setting off through the pasture to explore the far side of the
island. In the middle of the island we entered a forest, with soaring
maples cooling us under their vibrant green canopy. It was a beautiful
place to visit and well worth the stop. By the time we returned to the
Swift the breeze on the water was an immense relief from the heat
ashore, so after a short relocation of anchorage a swim stop was ordered
to cool off from are shoreside adventures. We are now nestled between a
cluster of islands dotted with arbutus, pines and junipers with
mountains distant on the mainland, a perfect setting to enjoy a Sunday
dinner of roast beef, yorkshire puddings, mashed potatoes and all the
fixin´s. With our bellies full we will have a simple Sunday service as
the vibrant sunset gives way to the glittering stars.

Sleep was rubbed from the eyes of starboard watch as they rose early
at 0550 to get underway for the long run south to the Gulf Islands. The
golden morning sun was just kissing the steep shores of Texada while
bald eagles glided bye in the building breeze, to the sound of the
anchor being hove in the hawse. Once under way square sails were set to
the favourable breeze by the morning watch. All hands were called
between breakfast sittings to set the main and maintopsail to gather all
possible speed on the southward journey. Inspired by the fresh breeze
and miles ahead, hands led by first mate Matt set to spreading more
canvas, creative arrangements were made of the dory sail and a
jury-rigged spritsail was spread foreward, every stitch pulling for
home. It was a lovely sail, surging along under sunshine and a warm
fresh breeze.  The breeze stopped abruptly shortly after crossing the
vivid outflow where the Fraser River mixes into the straight. We motored
the final short hop to Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island. It is another
beautiful calm anchorage whose dominant feature is a crystal clear view
of Mt. Baker and its foothills slowly changing colour in the lowering
sun.

Sleep was rubbed from the eyes of starboard watch as they rose early
at 0550 to get underway for the long run south to the Gulf Islands. The
golden morning sun was just kissing the steep shores of Texada while
bald eagles glided bye in the building breeze, to the sound of the
anchor being hove in the hawse. Once under way square sails were set to
the favourable breeze by the morning watch. All hands were called
between breakfast sittings to set the main and maintopsail to gather all
possible speed on the southward journey. Inspired by the fresh breeze
and miles ahead, hands led by first mate Matt set to spreading more
canvas, creative arrangements were made of the dory sail and a
jury-rigged spritsail was spread foreward, every stitch pulling for
home. It was a lovely sail, surging along under sunshine and a warm
fresh breeze.  The breeze stopped abruptly shortly after crossing the
vivid outflow where the Fraser River mixes into the straight. We motored
the final short hop to Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island. It is another
beautiful calm anchorage whose dominant feature is a crystal clear view
of Mt. Baker and its foothills slowly changing colour in the lowering
sun.