Cadets
The year in the life of a WFYC Cadet
Emily, 16
Life as a W&FYC cadet typically begins around Easter, when OnBoards and courses begin to run again following the winter break. OnBoards are fun 3 hour sessions that are filled with learning and usually take place every other Saturday, and courses typically run over the span of 3 days, packed full of theory and new techniques in order to award the cadet and RYA certificate at the end of it, be that a stage 1-4 or a seamanship skills certificate. OnBoard sessions and courses run from around April until July, then Cadet Week takes place in early August.
Cadet Week is a cadet highlight; it is 5 days of being out racing on the Wade, competing for the prizes at the end of the week, and socialising and taking part in activities with other cadets in the evenings. The post-racing activities in Cadet Week include beach games, a night on the pier, seal trips, a mud race, the annual cadet dinner, live music and of course a prizegiving & barbecue on the final night.
After Cadet Week, Dinghy Week follows closely behind. This is just like Cadet Week, but for the adult members of the club. This is arguably the main event in the club calendar and although only the older cadets can take part in the actual sailing, it is very likely you will find our younger cadets around during the week as well, eager to learn from more experienced sailors, and to soak up the enveloping atmosphere of friendly competition. The “apres sailing” events in Dinghy Week aren’t as exciting as the activities in Cadet Week, but who can say no to an outside bar and live music every night?
As summer draws to a close in early September, courses and OnBoards begin again, and the cadets return back to the water after the enjoyment of Cadet Week. The final OnBoard sessions end in early October, just before the water gets cold, and everyone returns to school and work. Although the cadets may not be at the club and on the water any more, the cadet committee members are getting together behind the scenes and organising events such as the cadet Halloween party, the Christmas meal & gingerbread house competition, an Oscars night, and a trip to Stone Point to roast marshmallows on a fire to make sure that everyone stays in touch and the wait for the sailing season to roll around again doesn’t seem so long.
Stanley, 9
This year for me has been mostly about racing!
I took part in the John Apthorp Super Series and really enjoyed the challenge, learning valuable race tips and getting lots of practice in all weathers.
The first Scatter Race was really good fun. I didn’t do very well because I chose to go for the high value markers. Lotte and Drew & Arlo had the better idea of collecting the lower scoring marks over and over again. I will have to think about my strategy more next time!
The Race for the Future was excellent too. I was partnered with Heidi and so I had no chance to eat any Haribo but did learn lots about reading the water and got to use the Spinnaker. Brilliant.
Beginner’s Race School was also really useful ahead of Cadet Week for practicing race starts and making sure I remembered all the racing rules.
And then the highlight of the year for me will always be Cadet Week. I had to miss a day’s racing in Regatta Fleet because I had a bit too much fun on the Dodgems and the Waltzer on Pier Night but I really had the best time. I love my pink t-shirt, I rescued a toy elephant shrew on my way back from the Round-the-Island race who is now my boat mascot (named Nigel) and I made some new friends and had a week’s worth of fun with them and my old cadet mates. It is so good to have a whole week to spend with friends, especially those that live further away and you don’t get to see as much as you’d like. It doesn’t really get much better. Only maybe 2026 will be?!….
Poppie, 11
This year has been a truly unforgettable one for me as a cadet at Walton & Frinton Yacht Club. My season began a little differently from the other cadets, as I was selected to join the RS Tera Eastern Region Training Squad. Thanks to all the support and training I received in the previous year at WFYC, I was ready to take on the challenge. Sailing in all kinds of weather tested me, but having Heidi’s voice in my head telling me to “push on!” definitely helped me get through it!
The WFYC cadets officially returned in May with some brilliant on-the-water sessions. We also saw new events added to our calendar, including the Scatter Race – a fantastic game of strategy – and our very first "Race for the Future" event. For this race, each cadet teamed up with an adult club member to race together in a dinghy. I was paired with the Commodore, Martin Jenkins… no pressure! I’m very happy to say we won!
Spring also brought a huge highlight as I represented WFYC at the Eric Twiname Championships at Rutland Water. I sailed in the RS Tera Sport Fleet, competing with over 300 sailors across the weekend. It was an incredible experience to sail against some of the best young sailors in the country.
As we moved into summer at Walton, our Discover Sailing Day returned and us cadets helped introduce the public to the fun of being on the water through powerboating, paddleboarding and dinghy sailing. It’s a great chance for the community to see what WFYC is all about.
Those cadets who have achieved RYA Stage 3 and above are able to join the John Apthorp Series – learning to race alongside the adults who are competing in thier Summer Series, with instructors on hand to help. I’m really proud to say that I won the series, against some very strong competition!
August gave us the most exciting time of the year – Cadet Week! It’s always the best week both on and off the water, and this year I was thrilled to race in the Championship Fleet for the first time. That was followed by WFYC Dinghy Week, where selected cadets can join the adult racing series. I was honoured to win the Dilly Cup for the best under-13 sailor. It’s fair to say I had a brilliant summer on the waves!
This season I also began working towards my Seamanship Skills qualification with the Training Centre, and I’m hoping to complete it next year.
As autumn arrives and the sailing season winds down, the cadets still have plenty to look forward to with fun socials including movie nights, our Halloween party, and a festive Christmas meal.
What started as a simple hobby has now become a huge passion. Sailing has given me so much confidence, new friends, and amazing experiences. This year, I was incredibly proud and lucky to be awarded a sailing scholarship at the Royal Hospital School — something I never would have dreamed of when I first started my Stage One course with Heidi.
There is literally something for everyone at WFYC – whether you’re learning a new skill, racing competitively, or just having fun with friends. We all have the best time, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings us cadets on the water!
Arlo, 16
Coming soon…..
What have we been up too?
Would you like to be part of the planning of WFYC cadet events?
Take on a leadership role, working as a team by becoming part of our WFYC Cadet Committee.
The role is very rewarding, encouraging more cadets to join us and enjoy the events you have planned both on and off the water.
Be part of the future planning for your club.
We meet as and when needed at the club and remotely- so it does not matter if you live further from the club.
interested? Apply by email to heidi@wfyc.co.uk
