Tall Ships in Stavanger during the Tall Ships Races 2018 Windseeker

Mentoring on The Maybe

Maybe, July 2017

– by Killian Borland (17)

I was a youth volunteer on The Maybe for the month of June 2017. It was an experience that I will never forget. I loved every minute of it.

One of the best things about sailing on The Maybe is that everyone works together. It teaches fantastic team building, as everyone is involved in cooking, cleaning, getting ready for sailing and the best bit, SAILING. Everyone has to work together in order to accomplish the day’s tasks. It encourages camaraderie, friendship and communication skills. Everyone has a job to do and it takes the whole crew to sail the vessel.

I go to boarding school, so the experience of being away from home wasn’t entirely new to me but I was still a bit nervous about being somewhere I didn’t know. But I didn’t need to worry as from the moment I stepped aboard The Maybe, it felt so welcoming. Everybody was so nice and helpful that I settled in right away.

At school I am a Mentor and I also love to sail and having had the experience of being a trainee on another tall ship last year I really felt that I had lots to offer. I was able to teach and interact with others in a setting in which I am completely comfortable. I was able to watch as others gained knowledge, understanding and new skills. Not only was I able to watch this happen, but I was an integral part of it happening. This was such a rewarding experience.

Not only did I learn so much about sailing, and myself as a person, but being on The Maybe was FUN! I will never forget the dolphins, the whales, the laughter, the friends and the stars.

Mentoring on The Maybe has been the best thing that I’ve ever done… so far.