Novice sailor braves the Fastnet Race for charity

Jo Giffen

So there we were: On an overcast and breezy Monday morning in West Cowes; five strangers waiting on the pontoon for Hot Stuff. We had just been kitted out with foul weather gear and bought all necessary vittels to keep mind and body together for the next five days. Then, majestically, Hot Stuff, a 40.7 Beneteau racing yacht, appeared gliding down the Medina to pick up her new crew.

Hot Stuff gliding down the Medina

My name is Jo Giffen and only three weeks before, in a moment of temporary insanity, I’d enrolled on the RYA Competent Crew Course, through Flying Fish; I had never been on a yacht before.

I am the third generation of an electrical contracting business, Giffen Group, which now specialises in railway infrastructure maintenance and engineering. 2009 is the company’s Centenary and as part of our plans to mark this significant milestone, we have adopted the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust Appeal, based at Mount Vernon Hospital, as our nominated charity. Throughout next year we will be raising funds through various initiatives for this excellent cause, which does so much in treating cancer patients in London and the Home Counties.

One of those initiatives is my enrolment as a crew member of Flying Fish’s Team Fish, who are entering two boats in next year’s Fastnet Race Campaign: I am in for a steep learning curve!

After stowing away our kit and safety briefing we were introduced to the boat, kitted-up and under way before too long. On venturing out into the Solent, the breeze picked up. As we headed into the wind our skipper asked for a couple of volunteers to hoist the foresail. My life-line was already fastened and, without really considering personal safety, I found myself above the bow, being thrown about by the rough sea, helping Doug hoist the sail.

Several times I was thrown off balance and found myself lying with my feet in the air as waves came crashing over the bow. We managed to get the sail up and safely made our way back to the cockpit. Wow, what an experience! I was thrilled, frightened and exhausted in equal measure, but the adrenaline was pumping and I was bitten by the yachting bug!

Lunch on board

That evening, over a couple of jars in a local pub, we exchanged stories of why each of us was there. I was aching and bruised, but glowed with satisfaction that my first encounter with yachting was a complete success.

Mooring up at night

The remaining four days went in a flash.

Two of the crew were doing their RYA Day Skipper Course and we sailed a night passage from Gosport to Lymington that they’d plotted. A serene evening and wonderful experience; one I look forward to doing again soon. Another highlight included watching the QE2 embark on one of her last voyages down the Solent before being pensioned off to Dubai.

          Serene sailing with the rest of the crew              Our instructor, Caroline

I found the Comp Crew syllabus to be very comprehensive and, I’m pleased to say, we all passed. I’m now booked up for the Day Skipper, Theory and Practical, both of which last five days. I’ll be doing these in February and March next year, which will be followed by some race-specific training and two or three passages across the Channel during the spring and summer.

Then, once the courses are completed; once I’ve put into practice all that I’ll have learnt; once I’ve logged the necessary miles; I might to be ready, come 9th August 2009, for the Fastnet Race!