Earlies Fleet! Day 5
Written by Miles G., Mate In Training
We woke up on Cooper Island buzzing after three already incredible days of program, and if anyone thought the energy was going to slow down, they were absolutely wrong. We set our sights on the legendary Pirates Bight at Norman Island, and the fleet was ready to make it another one for the books.
The morning kicked off with a split mission that somehow made everything even more exciting. A select crew hopped aboard the Colgate and set sail for Norman Island while the rest of the fleet geared up for either a diving session or water sports, motor sailing their way over to the Bight.
When the whole fleet finally reconvened as a flotilla off Norman Island, the vibe was absolutely electric. Everyone had a story to tell before the day had even really gotten started.
From there, it was full send into water sports mode. Wakeboards? Carving. Tubes? Absolutely flying. The South Sir Francis Drake Channel turned into our playground, and the smiles on deck were impossible to miss.
But the highlight of the afternoon? The Colgate had what can only be described as a phenomenal sail. Students were really clicking, making serious progress on their sailing technique and absolutely nailing their man overboard maneuvers. Watching those skills come together in real time out on the water is exactly what this program is all about.
Our Foxtrot and Sierra students spent the afternoon snorkeling after a Marine Biology lesson on reef fish. Captain Min Min, Mate Azra, and Mate Emily led this exploration and the fish we were abel to identify were incredible.
As the sun started to set, the fleet came together for a fresh batch of chicken fajitas, because nothing fuels a crew like a good meal after a long day on the water.
But the fun wasn’t over yet. We rolled out a brand new water salinity and purity testing activity for our marine science students, and the response was nothing short of awesome. Right out of the gate, it was a massive hit. These students are hungry to learn, and activities like this remind us just how special the Caribbean is.
Sure, the wind didn’t exactly cooperate all day, but this fleet doesn’t need perfect conditions to have a perfect day. We adapt, we push through, and we find a way to absolutely crush it regardless. And the stoke factor? All-time high. Per usual.
