Setting Sail for Leadership: Oscar’s Voyage on the High Seas
Year 10 student Oscar Wheeler recently embarked on the Windeward Bound East Coast Youth Leadership Challenge, an unforgettable 10-day sailing adventure that tested his teamwork, courage, and resilience.
Setting sail from Newcastle, Oscar joined a crew of professionals and young sailors aged 14 to 17 on board the square-rigged tall ship bound for Eden on the South Coast of New South Wales.
Throughout the voyage, Oscar and his fellow crew members learned the ropes, literally! From mastering navigation and map reading to climbing high into the rigging to tie and stow the sails, every task demanded teamwork, focus, and determination. Under the guidance of the ship’s professional crew, participants were encouraged to set personal goals, support one another, and step outside their comfort zones.
The journey was about more than just sailing; it was about discovering confidence, independence, and the satisfaction of achieving what once seemed impossible.
The Windeward Bound Youth Development voyages require no previous sailing experience. The dedicated crew on board ensure all participants are taught the skills and safety needed for life at sea, turning a journey of learning into an experience of a lifetime.
