The Lates Fleet! Day 10
Written by Rosie C., Mate & Dive Instructor on Tigre
We woke up to a picture-perfect morning in Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda—sunlight sparkling on the water, a gentle breeze rolling through the bay, and excitement already in the air. Why? It was Challenge Day—a camp favorite and a true test of teamwork and independence!
On Challenge Day, the students take full command of our vessel, Tigre, relying on just three collective questions for the entire day. With limited input from staff, they’re responsible for everything: navigation, sailing, cooking, safety—you name it.
Our student leadership team for the day—Skipper Declan, Mate Max, and Navigator Maya—headed over to the staff boat for the morning briefing and chart chat, plotting our course to the remote and beautiful island of Anegada. Meanwhile, back on Tigre, the rest of the crew whipped up a breakfast of blueberry, strawberry, and banana pancakes that would rival any seaside café.
Following breakfast, the crew sprang into action with pre-departure checks: engines inspected, lifelines cleared, cabins secured, propane off, and, most importantly, life jackets on. By 8:30 a.m., we were off the mooring ball and motoring out of the North Sound, past Necker Island, sails at the ready.
Without a word of help from staff, the crew raised sails with confidence and finesse—earning a quiet round of applause from their proud instructors. With sails full and trimmed, we fell off to a beam reach, steering a heading of 006°M toward the low-lying silhouette of Anegada on the horizon.
Tigre cruised steadily at 6 knots in a 12-14 knot breeze. Soon, Anegada’s flat landscape and lush greenery came into view. As we approached the western end of the island, we dropped sails and motored through the stunning turquoise waters of the channel. Declan executed a flawless mooring—right as a group of curious sea turtles and an eagle ray swam by to welcome us!
Lunch was a classic: hot dogs and mac ‘n’ cheese. Then it was time to head ashore. Students jumped into safari trucks for a scenic drive across Anegada, ending at the stunning Loblolly Bay. There, they pitched in for a beach clean-up—doing their part to keep paradise pristine—before grabbing snacks, chatting in the shade, and savoring well-earned ice creams.
Later, we dove into a quick and fascinating shark lesson—did you know sharks have no bones, just cartilage? With this new knowledge, we waded into the shallows of the nearby shark sanctuary. A few lucky students spotted baby lemon sharks, a little ray, and a parade of hermit crabs scuttling across the sea floor.
Back on board, the afternoon wrapped up with some fun in the water. The crew challenged each other in breath-holding contests—the current record? An impressive 1 minute and 45 seconds!
Dinner was a highlight: juicy smash burgers prepared by our incredible Captain Sara. We finished the day with a classic Tigre boat clean, followed by our nightly meeting where we shared stories, laughs, and, as usual, some good-natured teasing of my British accent.
A memorable day of leadership, learning, laughter, and lots of sun—Challenge Day on Tigre was a roaring success.
