First Impressions from Excited New Crew
We consistently hear from teachers that one of the strengths of the programs on Seaward is her crew. These (mostly) young sailors are eager not only for the chance to sail
We asked a new crew member, Sara Russell, to recall her first experiences on board, and how it all worked out. Here’s Sara’s story:
Not even the unforgiving icy slaps of the southwesterly winds across my already drenched and impractically dressed self could stop me, as I stared wide-eyed for the first time at the
Golden Gate Bridge, wondering with wild excitement whether Seaward was going to clear it. As she glided easily underneath with the grace of a ship that has made the passage thousands of times, I got my first glimpse of Sausalito, and all memories of the frigid, sleepless, and painfully seasick twelve-hour transit melted away. Now it is easy to call up the memory of this innocent wonder I felt experiencing San Francisco Bay so intimately: it is consistently reflected in the bright eyes of children and adults alike as they discover the Bay from this novel and fascinating perspective aboard Seaward. Signing on as a deckhand for Call of the Sea has allowed me to frequently share these poignant moments of wonder and discovery with a variety of participants. My first and, so far, most memorable adventure aboard Seaward was a combination of my first two official days of work: a 12-hour passage from
Santa Cruz, immediately followed by a Bay Explorations program out of Berkeley. Having completed a successful Camp SEA Lab program, marked by a crowd of smiling teens onboard waving excitedly to parents snapping photos, Seaward made her way into Santa Cruz. The students disembarking were bursting with excited stories about spotting orca whales, about having learned to sail such a big boat, about the new friends they had made with students and crew. Watching the boat buzzing with such excited, chattering, wide-eyed life, I could see the powerful impact Call of the Sea’s programs have—inspiring youth and manifesting a true excitement for discovery on the water. These first few moments offered me an honest look into the power and integrity of Call of the Sea’s programming. The otherwise cold voyage home from
Santa Cruz was made warm by the kindhearted spirits of the crew aboard. The crew—Shannon, Robinson, and Aaron—remained cheerful, singing sea chanties and recalling favorite moments of the previous 5-day trip. Unfazed by the weather, and with the panache of James Bond, Seaward’s captain for the voyage, Rick Whiting, even offered me a batch of chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa as we were underway in the chilly night, along with that sweet twinkle in his eye, and asked me, “Well, what do you think?” The combination of good spirits, exciting sailing, and the prospects of quality educational programs had me gushing with excitement of what was to come. I told Rick I couldn’t wait to get immersed in such an awesome learning environment. Sailing Seaward herself for the first time from
Santa Cruz to her home at the Bay Model in Sausalito was an experience of its own, but the real magic began with the Bay Exploration program beginning just a few hours later. A group of 40 giggling, excitedly chattering kids and parents--most of whom had never been on a boat in their lives—stood anxiously awaiting to board Seaward clad in lifejackets and smiles. As soon as the kids worked together to raise the sails, then started sampling the benthos, plankton, and water quality, the discovery began. Kids were immersed in getting to know the Bay, as they were able to closely see, feel, smell, and hear it in a way they had never experienced. The excitement rose with each rotation: by touching creatures who spend their whole lives in the Bay, looking and exploring maps of the different views of the Bay, and steering a mighty ship through its waters, students formed an excited connection to this habitat they never knew existed below the Golden Gate Bridge.
Indeed, life on Seaward has been nothing short of the adventure I expected. From my memorable first voyage to a bounty of Saturday Adventure Sails, multi-day Voyage Seaward camps, and charters with Call of the Sea’s affiliate organizations, I have had the pleasure of being part of an exciting environment that reflects inspiration in the eyes of students and adults alike. Having recently joined, I know this is just the beginning, and I eagerly await what comes next.
-Sara Russell