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.