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Education Guest Log

Sail Training Trips - 2006

Following are submittals by students during Lynx trip from Newport Beach, CA to Hawaii, beginning June 17, 2006. Submittals from students during 2002 trips, 2003 trips and 2004 trips can also be seen.

The 1812 American Privateer Schooner Lynx departed the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum for the big island of Hawaii at 1030 hours, 17 June 2006. On this voyage, the Lynx is manned by her professional crew in addition to five high school student crew members. This voyage represents the third annual "Cruize of Opportunity" to the Hawaiian Islands by the Lynx with student crew aboard. The 2006 student crew:

This is not a cruise ship voyage for the students. They are working crew members and as such share all the responsibilities of the professional crew. Under the watchful eye of the captain and crew of Lynx, the students learn helmsmanship, navigation, emergency procedures, tall-ship maintenance, and most importantly, how to work as a cohesive, responsible team. The Lynx Sail Training program is a fully developed educational program designed to challenge youth and bring them together as a united crew stressing the importance of teamwork and cooperation. Students will discover first-hand a rich mix of cultures, as well as natural and man-made wonders. Together, as they learn to sail their ship through the Pacific trade winds towards their final destination, they will harvest lessons learned by all seafarers who set out upon the oceans in the past. This program develops leadership, confidence, responsibility and personal growth through response to unforeseen challenges. A sense of nature's balance and wonder; a developing commitment to their small community of co-adventurers; and a practical understanding of the ethic represented by the ship's motto: "Be excellent to each other and to your ship."

For more information about how you or your child can be a part of this wonderful experience, please contact the Lynx Educational Foundation, operators of the 1812 American Privateer Schooner Lynx. We are presently accepting student applications for the 2007 voyage to Hawaii, and adult applications for the 2007 return trip from Kauai to the mainland.

Contact Information: The Lynx Educational Foundation
509 29th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 723-7814; Fax (949) 723-1958; lynx@privateerlynx.org.

Below are photos and writings of the students sailing aboard the Lynx to Hawaii during early summer 2006:

Doug Newbill, student 2006
"OK on this next roll Doug... Jump NOW!" I just look down. "Oh that's OK. Go on this next one...NOW"! These are the words of the mate Christopher as I'm standing one ratboard up on the rigging looking down into the ocean. Being there wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been for the fact that I was supposed to swing out on the line in my hand, over the ocean, and jump in. Figuring the rigging wasn't getting any shorter, I grabbed tight on the rope and jumped. As I swung out I thought, "WOW, it's not really that high." I was noticing how nice the air was, nice and fresh, when I saw the boat coming back at me and people aboard it yelling "LET GO!!". At which point I thought "Oh Yeah, I probably should". So I released my vise like grip on the rope and plunged into the cool, refreshing water. At this point scenes from the movie JAWS ran through my mind, and I scrambled to the ladder and climbed back on deck. When asked "How did it feel?" all I could muster to say was "huh". But I really had fun and I will probably never experience anything like it again.

Becca Sidell, student 2006
"What did you do...?" Words coming from my watch officer, Kent, in a low, concerned tone. When you are sailing aboard a tall ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean at 0200, those aren't the kind of phrases you want to become familiar with. A little before the halfway point, we had started motoring due to the lack of wind. Stumbling about the stern of the ship I felt around in the binnacle, searching for a flashlight to do a boat check. As I reached in for the light, the boat came to a stop. My heart began racing and my mind started to plot what would happen next. The boat will do a 360, capsize, and Jaws will come to take care of business. Fortunately, after some uncomfortable silence, Kent moved the engine throttle back up and we continued our voyage. It's funny because when I found out I was doing this trip, I thought I knew everything I needed to in terms of what would be expected of me, the watch rotations, etc. When you are underway it's a little different, to say the least. There are so many aspects to keeping this ship afloat. This ship is the only that is keeping me from dying. That's crazy to think about. People who have done the trip, or even those on board with you may know what they experienced and have suggestions, but in the end it's your trip. You make the decisions of how you want it to go, what it will mean to you, and ultimately what you get out of it.

Stephan Arana, student 2006
Slowly the noonday sun peaks out from the billowing clouds. There is a sudden rush, four boxes make their appearance on deck. Some big, some small, some with wood metal or plastic. The sun is captured and the more vicious rays are quelled by the calm ocean blue shade. An intervening sail momentarily blocks the shimmering sun. Then the gruff voice of the mate Christopher "Who's driving this darn thing?" and within a few seconds the course is altered and the sun resumes to be pulled down to the horizon for a premature sunset. Then the yell of "Mark" can be heard across the ocean. Then the math begins, trying to concentrate while the ship tosses. All this to pinpoint our position just to find we are where we belong on the open ocean.

Michael Sullivan, student 2006
The journey began with a sense of pride given by being seen off by my family. Soon after the seasickness set in and I was nothing but miserable. At least the food was good. Once the seasickness was out the window, things got way better. Watches became routine and the shower schedule began. We learned knots and the name and location of all the lines. Our halfway party was amazing, and now that we have the sun and stars, I hope to enjoy the rest of the journey to Hilo, Hawaii.

 

 

Billy Burdge, student 2006
WIND
Wind has a mysterious source,
but you might use it to fill your split coarse.
It fills your main and mizzen
so hopefully your spirit has risen
 
Often annoying
when it can't get you going,
wind is for all to use but none to lose.
 
All in all, wind is great.
Because it often decides your fate.
If you're trying to get somewhere,
don't always expect the wind to be there.