Introducing Jess Wadley, one of Sail Training Shetland's Trainees partaking in the 2022 Tall Ships Races, sailing in the first leg of the race from Lerwick to Esbjerg in Denmark and then onwards to Harlingen in The Netherlands. Jess heard about the opportunity to sail for The Tall Ships Races as her sister and brother had both previously done it - with her brother speaking incredibly highly of the trip and encouraged her to go, even if that meant missing a family holiday. She went on a Sailing taster day with Sail Training Shetland last year - which was her first-time sailing! She recalls enjoying the teamwork aspect and how everyone had their own role to help onboard, saying "it’s amazing how it all works together".
Jess is most excited to see new places, meet new friends and have new experiences. Telling others to ‘just go for it’ adding that if you are unsure about trying sailing, take a friend with you to calm your nerves.
Her favourite thing about sailing is that you are pushed entirely out of your comfort zone and get to do something completely different whilst making new friends and building upon your resilience, telling us you gain independence from having to pack, cook, clean, and motivate yourself. You also learn the skill of sailing - which you can continue as a hobby or even as a career. She also adds two very interesting points "You never know you might fall in love with somewhere you go and end up moving there!’ and adds that the experience helps make a UCAS application or CV stand out!"
