Estonian Special Sailors crossed the water to Norway for the Nordic RS Venture Sail Camp, a weekend that paired fresh skills with no shortage of enthusiasm.
Kylli Haav, sailing with the Estonian Special Sailors, summed up her weekend simply. "I have one good upwind mark taking and one perfect gennaker gybe as a salto of this weekend to take with me, I would definitely like to partake inclusion and para sail events in the nearest future to improve and learn to know other sailors better," she said.
Backgrounds and experience levels varied widely across the fleet, but everyone shared that unmistakable moment when the sails fill and the boat starts to move. Haav and her Estonian teammates took in the scenery, the constant chatter of on-water communication, the manoeuvres, and, by the sound of it, a well-earned meal afterwards.
Coaching came from a strong bench. Norwegian national-team sailors Stian and Elliot worked alongside head coach Thomas Nilsson, bringing local knowledge that made a real difference. Learning from people who know the boats, the conditions and the setting from the inside adds something you can't fake.
Day one delivered strong wind and sailors who threw themselves into it. Straightforward, in the best possible way.
Day two was trickier. Shifting breeze tested the fleet as they worked on gennakers and gybes, and even those sailing for the first time managed to nail them. Some of that gybe practice happened inside the rocky landscape of a narrowing fjord.
By the close of the camp, the gennaker work and the gybing were both looking sharp. Fittingly, the weekend also proved out a piece of old Viking wisdom: if you want to reach your goal quickly, listen to your elders.
Merle Kuusk, advisor to the Nordic Council of Ministers, which supported the participants' involvement, saw a bigger picture in the weekend's work. "Exchanging the experience 1882 counts for Nordic and North Baltic frameworks, opens new perspectives," she said.
"Disabled, special needs people and inclusion have always been a field of work for NCM. North Baltic cooperation and sharing of information opens up new possibilities. Sailing is a practical form in which we can support the non-governmental networks," she added.
