Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Enjoying the ocean breeze...Northsail competitors soak up the sun while learning the skills required for sailing in last years event.
Photo provided by Flt-Lt Rob Saunders

Northsail 2003

Leg 1: April 27-29 – Sydney to Coffs Harbour
Leg 2: May 2-4 – Coffs Harbour to Manly (Qld)
Leg 3: May 7-9 – Manly to Bundaberg
Leg 4: May 11-13 – Bundaberg to Mackay
Leg 5: May 16-18 – Mackay to Townsville
Leg 6: May 20-22 – Townsville to Mackay
Leg 7: May 25-27 – Mackay to Bundaberg
Leg 8: May 29-31 – Bundaberg to Manly (Qld)
Leg 9: June 3-5 – Manly to Coffs Harbour
Leg 10: June 7-10 – Coffs Harbour to Sydney

Plain sailing

THE ADF Sailing Association’s (ADFSA) annual sailing adventure, Northsail, continues to provide a challenging training environment for experienced and inexperienced Defence personnel.

The ADFSA has been conducting sailing adventures from Sydney to north Queensland since 1990.

In 2002, after a five-year break, the ADFSA resurrected the northern sailing adventure and formed a committee of volunteers to organise and conduct this years event.

2003 will see the third Northsail being conducted utilising two of the RANs’ 11 metre yachts.

So what actually is the purpose of Northsail? It is a sailing adventure provided by the ADFSA to enable Defence personnel (military and civilian) to develop self confidence, leadership and team skills while working in a demanding environment.

For some participants, this is a completely new environment, in which they have to learn a whole new set of skills and language, while for others, it is second nature.

The expedition provides participants with challenging situations, such as rough nights, seasickness, cooking, eating and living in a confined environment and the novel experience of using a toilet that doesn’t stay still!

However, for every challenge, there are also rewards – developing new friends, new skills and experiencing beautiful scenery.

All participants are involved with the organisation and running of their yacht. For example, working out the victualling requirements (a mariner’s term for food), noting the restricted galley (kitchen) facilities, passage planning, navigation, radio communications and, of course, sailing the yacht.

Each yacht is led by an Australian Yachting Federation (AYF) qualified Skipper and is supported by an AYF qualified mate. The skipper and mate train the six crew in all aspects of sailing the vessel, with most crew (even novices) able to sail and manage the yacht effectively by the end of their sailing leg.

Northsail 2003 will be conducted over 45 days, with 10 sailing legs. Each participant may nominate for a sailing leg of three days. The Northsail Organising Committee receives between 200 – 260 applications each year. As each yacht is limited to eight crew per sailing leg, the total number of berths available for this year is 160.

To apply for a crewmember position, you don’t need any sailing experience but you must be physically and mentally fit.