Tassie teens cast off modern conveniences for high-seas adventure of a lifetime

Twenty young Tasmanian seafarers will begin the voyage of lifetime next Tuesday, when the STV Windeward Bound sets sail to Sydney on a 10-day, technology-free adventure.

Students from Hobart City High School Rosie Eddington-Rieper and Isaac Taylor, both in Grade 11, aboard the Windeward Bound. Picture: Adam Reibel

Twenty young Tasmanian seafarers will begin the voyage of lifetime next Tuesday, when the STV Windeward Bound sets sail to Sydney on a 10-day, technology-free adventure.

During their time at sea spent without mobile phones or parental support, sail trainees aged from 14 to 18 will learn teamwork, seamanship, confidence, and leadership under the supervision of Captain Sarah Parry AM.

“The idea is to go to sea for 10 days and get them all working together, so that they

get to know each other and do a bit of cross-cultural mixing,” Captain Parry said.

“It gives them an opportunity to form a bit of a network of their own, outside of their normal circles.

“It’s an amazingly, life-changing experience.”

Hobart City High School Grade 11 students Rosie Eddington-Rieper and Isaac Taylor are two eager crewmembers whose journeys have been supported by Tasmanian Rotary clubs, and the Windeward Bound Trust.

Over the next eight months, the historic vessel will be embark on a series of youth challenge voyages, from Hobart to Sydney, up to Mackay, and back to Hobart via Eden and Beauty Point.

While the voyage departing Waterman’s Dock in Hobart next week is fully subscribed, places remain for most other journeys.

For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation to help young Tasmanians realise their dreams, visit the Windeward Bound homepage.

Originally published as Tassie teens cast off modern conveniences for high-seas adventure of a lifetime