WEATHER is notoriously unpredictable, with an August storm in the UK just as likely as a bright sunny day in the depths of winter. For the unique Hull-based charity CatZero, its sturdy Challenge 72 yacht was built with a massive capability for navigating the world’s vast waters, and the tail end of the recent Storm Lilian and its near gale force winds were a mere fun sail for this sturdy, 72-foot boat.
Sailing almost daily between March and October, the charity’s yacht acts as a tool for change for participants on its many land-based programmes. It is also utilised to raise funds for the charity during the sailing season, with corporate sails, public sails to the Netherlands and Norway, and, not for the faint-hearted, the Round the Island and Rolex Fastnet races all on the packed annual schedule.
Popular with sailing fans and supporters of CatZero is the ‘Dutch Dash’, a short hop from Hull to Scheveningen, in the Netherlands, a seaside town close to The Hague with long beaches, a famous pier and stunning harbour.
Danny Watson, CatZero skipper and the organisation’s Director of Sailing, said: “We have places for 12 people on our Dutch Dash sails, in addition to our highly competent and experienced crew members.
“This sail began with a welcome and orientation on the Thursday evening before setting off from Hull Marina on the Friday morning. We arrived in Scheveningen on the Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a lovely evening by the harbour before a good sleep and a morning of RYA Competent Crew training on the Sunday. After an afternoon of leisure, watching beach volleyball and kitesurfing, we set off on the Sunday, arriving back in Hull on the Monday.
“The Dutch Dash is a great trip, particularly for people who want to experience sailing and don’t have the time for a longer journey.”
The recent sail departed on Friday, August 23, on a gusty Humber Estuary as remnants of Storm Lilian passed over the UK. Retired seamstress Gill Weaver was a passenger with her friend Judith, her second sailing trip overall but her first with CatZero.
“It was a most exhilarating sail, starting with a meet and greet at a pub close to the yacht on the Thursday,” she said. “This was a great opportunity to get to know everyone, and our skipper Danny was really good at helping everyone to feel at ease.
“I was a bit green in the waves on the way there, due to high winds and choppy seas, but the crew were really supportive and couldn’t do enough to help me through it. The sea sickness was forgotten when we arrived in Scheveningen in bright sunshine – I was blown away with how beautiful it was, and how clean. The beaches were stunning, and it has a lovely café culture. It made me wonder why we travel so far to get to lovely beaches!”
Gill, left, enjoys the North Sea breeze.
Gill was delighted with the sailing on the return journey: “It was amazing; the sailing was fantastic. My watch was the early shift, as we did four-hour turnarounds throughout. When we arrived back in Hull I was shattered, but I had such an amazing time, it took me several days to come back down to earth from the adrenaline rush!”
Gill has since offered to volunteer with CatZero, a charity she believes makes a great difference to people across the Humber region. CatZero is dedicated to the support of the unemployed, young people, children and families, and Forces’ veterans, providing a number of programmes and sessions for this demographic in times of crisis. Their goal is to bring about lasting personal change for all its participants.
Gill finished: “I can’t tell you enough how brilliant this experience was, and it was great to be able to do something really fun and exciting knowing that you have contributed to people in need across the region.
“Danny and the crew were amazing, they really know their stuff, and if you had a question, Danny was always keen to answer. Nobody on the trip was negative and everyone was helpful and supportive. You really felt as though you were a pivotal part of the team, and it was a truly great adventure to be on!”
To find out more about the Dutch Dash and our other sailing opportunities visit www.catzero.org/sailing, telephone 01482 333303, or email: [email protected] for the next available dates.