Eagle Sailing by CF A. ZAGO, Navy Advisor

In September HQ After the initial NRDC-IT found shock of this envi- itself engaged in ronment of an unusual pur- moving floors, suit for a Land confined space, headquarters: awkward and a Exercise new language to Adventure, a learn, from bowli- week of adventu- nes and booms to re training with and sloo- the aim of fami- ps, the sailing pro- liarizing partici- ceeded well. On pants with small return to solid sailing craft of land, this first day class Comet, Sun the adventurers and Sprint. found themselves reflecting the The 8-day exerci- beauty of the lake se was conducted and the efforts of on the Lake sailing, with a little Maggiore with snooze on the the involvement coach home; albeit of numerous ser- raring to go the vices and nationa- next day. lities and served, through the close confines of the 4-10 man boats and And so the exercise continued. In such a stunning the pressure of time added to the practical challenges area, all appreciated the lake, marveling at its shores, of sailing, to contribute to team building within the HQ. the castle of Cannero, , Laveno, , Pallanza, the Boromean Islands, in particular Day 1 and after a short introduction and crew Isola Bella with its typical Italian garden and in contrast training, the exercise was underway. The difference in Isola Madre and its English garden. All learned to tie experience was immediately evident, from the expe- that intriguing knot, to raise and lower the sails, to rienced to the landlubbers, but these differences would handle the sheets, to and , and the culmination fade in the span of the next few days. of the course was the chance to pit their sailing again- st each other in a Eventually everyo- regatta. At the ne managed, with end of the exerci- the help of the se, the boats instructor, to brought safely ready their vessels, home, all had splice the main learnt important and set sail! lessons of sharing The instructors the workload, began to speak in working as a an entirely diffe- team, and living rent language; the adage “many sheets not made hands make light of beds, port not work”. for drinking, and some of those now trapped on board found themselves in a different world!

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