Girlguiding SW England took over the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA), Cowes Isle of Wight for the weekend of 12 – 13 July for a full range of watersports which were offered to the girls.
Over 200 Girlguiding members from the Region’s 16 counties (which extend from Cornwall to Berkshire and include Devon, Bristol, Hampshire, Wiltshire,Dorset, Somerset and the Isle of Wight) attended together with leaders and the Region Chief Commissioner Racheal Tattum.
This watersports weekend was designed to introduce the Girlguiding members to activities that are not on everyday offer and give them the chance to prove that “Girls Can Do Anything”.
It is not the first time that Girlguiding members have undertaken a pursuit that involves water as a few years ago a team of Girlguiding volunteers undertook the 600+ miles Rolex Fastnet Race.
Over the weekend as well as team building activities and making new friends the girls sampled sailing, kayaking, canoeing, raft building and a water slide. There was general fun and excitement and three girls from the Isle of Wight made their Girlguiding Promise.
Island Guide Imy said, “I was “brick” scared before the first activity and did not want to do any, but now I have tried two I can’t wait to do them all. It is so much fun.”
A group, who had travelled from Devon, all agreed that while there were sailing facilities in Devon it was an adventure to travel to an Island and undertake watersports there. Several girls from a number of counties had not been to the Isle of Wight before so that was an experience in itself.
Linda, a Guide Leader, said. “This is a great weekend. It enables so many girls from across the region to get together and unlock their potential.It would be great to make it an annual experience.”
