Sailing DofE Expedition: What to Expect
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Sailing Duke of Edinburgh Award: What to expect when completing your expedition onboard a yacht.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a prestigious youth development programme designed to challenge young people and help them build essential life skills. There are three award levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) which are designed to challenge participants further with each level.

When you think of a D of E expedition, I imagine you think of hiking boots and large backpacks scrambling up a mountain or through the countryside; despite these stereotypes there are many ways you can complete your expedition including onboard a sailing yacht!  

Yachting can be an exciting and rewarding alternative for your expedition and with Andrew Simpson Yachting you will complete an RYA qualification alongside your D of E. 

What makes yachting a great DofE expedition choice? 

There are many benefits to completing your expedition onboard a yacht from gaining lifelong skills to experiencing new adventures. Some of the key things you will take away from your expedition are: 

  • Teamwork and leadership: Living onboard requires close cooperation between crew members and effective communication is key whether you are on deck or down below. 
  • Outdoor adventure: Taking charge of a vessel out in the open water is a thrilling experience from the moment you step onboard. You will explore The Solent and surrounding coastlines whilst visiting new destinations. 
  • Unique skills development: On your expedition you will be taught how to take charge of the yacht including assisting with mooring, sail handling and basic marine navigation. During the duration of your expedition you will complete and RYA qualification which will last you for life. 
  • Sense of achievement: Completing your D of E expedition and a lifelong qualification will leave you with a sense of accomplishment and newfound confidence as is the aim of the DofE expeditions.  

What to expect on a yachting Expedition 

  • Before the course: Prior to the expedition you will have a Teams call with your supervisor and other participants who you will be crewing with. During this call you will prepare meal plans, your team goal, what you need to prepare and get to know each other before the expedition. 
  • Before you set sail: Prior to slipping the lines you will go through the safety equipment onboard, how to safely come alongside the pontoon and basic route planning before heading off to your destination for the night. 
  • At sea: Whilst on the move you will be fully involved in all aspects of the trip from prepping the boat to hoisting the sails and berthing in the evening. Throughout the expedition your instructor will slowly step back as you become more confident to allow you to work independently by the assessed expedition. 
  • Skills Learned: By the end of the expedition, you will have learnt countless new skills including how to tack and gybe, using charts and GPS to plot a course and lifesaving responses in case of an emergency. 

Benefits of Yachting for DofE Participants 

Research provides us with endless benefits to getting out on the water, here are just a few: 

  • Improved Physical and Mental Resilience: Sailing is physically demanding and mentally challenging, helping participants push their limits. 
  • Building Teamwork and Communication: Working as part of a close-knit crew fosters teamwork, trust, and responsibility. 
  • Environmental Awareness: Participants gain an appreciation for the natural world, from understanding tides to observing marine wildlife. 
  • New Skills for Life: Learn transferable skills like leadership, problem-solving, time management, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. 

Logistics of the Expedition 

The duration of your course will depend on the level you are working towards so below is a layout of costs and durations per level. The cost below includes all tuition, safety equipment, fuel/mooring fees and food onboard. Optional additional extras available are waterproof hire and an RYA logbook. 

Throughout the course duration you will explore The Solent and surrounding areas potentially even as far as The Channel Islands! You will have a qualified RYA Instructor onboard as well as a member of DofE staff to guide you through the expedition from start to finish. 

So, whether you are looking for a new adventure or want to combine your passion with your DofE experience a yachting expedition could be the perfect path for you. Choosing a yachting expedition will allow you to sail into a realm of skills you can take into your future and create a new sense of achievement and adventure with memories which will last you a lifetime. 

So, what are you waiting for? Take the next step and find our upcoming dates and book by heading to the below links: 
 
Bronze DofE Expedition

Silver DofE Expedition 

Gold DofE Expedition

by Thalia Burke, Sales and Communications Coordinator, Andrew Simpson Yachting  

Thalia has spent a substantial amount of time on the water, having been immersed in sailing since her early years. Her experience ranges from crewing small dinghies to achieving the Yachtmaster Coastal certification.