On Monday, February 24th, and Tuesday, February 25th, forty-five enthusiastic students aged 15-19 from Jennings Secondary School, Antigua State College, and Island Academy embarked on an unforgettable sailing day aboard the majestic Tall Ship Gunilla.
Under the expert guidance of skilled Swedish sail trainees and the dedicated crew, the students were set to work, pulling the lines and hoisting the sails of this beautiful square-rigger. For many of these Antiguan students, it was their first time on the open sea, and they loved the experience. Their laughter echoing across the waves as they forged new friendships with their Swedish counterparts.
As they sailed the vast blue ocean, they learned to navigate the winds and exchanged stories and traditions, creating bonds that transcend borders. The sense of camaraderie and adventure inspired a spark in many, igniting dreams of mastering the art of sailing and perhaps one day working aboard a traditional ship like Gunilla!
The Swedish sail trainees participated in the inspiring “Classroom to Community” program. Their morning was ignited by the impactful plastic upcycling workshop, “Ocean Love NO Plastic No Waste” and a beach clean organized by the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation. Here, they not only learned about the critical issue of plastic pollution affecting our beautiful oceans but were also introduced to the powerful 4 R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
The Swedish students
collaborated with the dedicated team from the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation to creatively upcycle plastic waste into new, valuable products, transforming potential waste into treasures. This experience went beyond education; it sparked a passion for environmental stewardship and community engagement. In the afternoon, under the inspirational guidance of the Antigua and Barbuda National Park, they ventured into the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, deepening their appreciation for its significant role in maritime history.
This day was not just a learning experience; it was a call to action, inspiring them to become stewards of their environment and champions of change for a brighter future.
A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors and partners for making this extraordinary experience
possible!
- Tall Ship Gunilla: www.ockerogymnasieskola.se
- Caribbean Sail Training: www.caribbeansailtraining.com
- Antigua & Barbuda National Park: www.nationalparksantigua.com
Organisers
The West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation provides weekly sail training on its traditional Carriacou sloop, New Moon, and represents Caribbean Sail Training (CST) in Antigua. Caribbean Sail Training is dedicated to fostering connections among youth through the love of sailing and Tall Ship Gunilla is a proud member of CST.
Ready to set sail? Are you an Antiguan Youngster between 13-23 and like to learn how to sail on our traditional Carriacou Sloop “New Moon”? For more information about sail training and the opportunities awaiting you, visit our website www.caribwish.com or contact Billy from the WISH Foundation on WhatsApp at 1-268-7763484. For media inquiries or to learn more about this unique sailing exchange program, please contact Charlotte Hooijdonk at charlotte.hooijdonk@caribwish.com, call +1-268-7763485, or WhatsApp +31-6-10505640.
We invite you to share this memorable traditional sailing experience and help promote sail training and international connections between Antiguan and Swedish students.
West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation Inc. is a registered non-profit in Antigua that provides sail training to Antiguan youngsters aboard her traditional Carriacou sloop, “New Moon.” They join the Classic Yacht Regatta every year with a race crew of young Antiguan sailors. We encourage youth on a path to education and maritime career development while instilling lifelong respect for maritime heritage and a sense of stewardship for the ocean.
The WISH Foundation offers the “GO To SEA” program, which helps Antiguan youngsters develop sailing skills, experience sailing on a tall ship in cooperation with Caribbean Sail Training, gain opportunities for maritime-based career training in collaboration with Second Star Sailing www.secondstarsailing.com and discover employment possibilities in the maritime industry.
www.caribwish.com
Tall Ship Gunilla
was launched in 1940 as a long-haul cargo ship. Except for a short time in the 50s, when the ship acted as a ferry, transporting people and cars to Öland, she was sailing with the cargo until the 90s. In 1997 Gunilla was rebuilt entirely into a 3-masted barque. She has since been active at a Swedish college, where social studies students aged 18-19 years spend 60 days each year as a part of their education, learning to sail, cooperate, and become aware of the world situation. She completes a lap around the Northern Atlantic annually and visits the Caribbean in February and March.
https://www.ockerogymnasieskola.se/2.f65bfc015500ef7648bf3e5.html
