Niall recalls sea odyssey

“It was a fantastic experience, really amazing, I never thought I would get the opportunity to experience anything like it in my life,” said Niall, newly-returned from his month-long sail from Southampton to Madeira and on to Rio De Janeiro on board the Derry~Londonderry yacht.

The 23-year-old from the Waterside area of the city is one of five bursary winners to participate in the Race and acting as ambassadors for their city ahead of the race’s visit to the city next July.

Since his return home Niall has been on a high recalling the highs and lows of being on the Derry~Londonderry Clipper yacht.

“Don’t get me wrong - it was a fantastic experience, the adventure of a lifetime, but it was hard going - we were working long hours in serious hot temperatures and under a lot of pressure all of the time but the atmosphere was great, the crew on board the Derry boat are fantastic and luckily we all got on really well together and worked well as a team.”

Sleep deprivation and extreme heat seem to be the only downside for Niall.

“I definitely found the hot weather hard to deal with. It was hard to work in those conditions but as we moved closer to Rio it seemed to get a lot cooler with a light breeze and I have been making sure to catch up on my sleep since I got back.”

Niall said while he missed family and friends back home he was well looked after on board the yacht.

“We had plenty of nice food - we ate really well - lots of pasta, rice and cous cous and the odd bar of chocolate and freshly baked bread each day. Our beds were comfortable and the facilities really good - so it wasn’t bad at all.

“Having limited ways of communicating with the outside world was also a good thing. Rather than feeling cut off from everything I felt free - not having to worry about a mobile phone or emails or what was going on in the news was a good thing.”

Since his return, the KickStart to Work team in Derry City Council have been in discussions with a range of employers to assist with accommodating a 50-week work placement.

“I am really grateful to everyone who has helped me on this journey, Everything seems to be going my way - I couldn’t believe I was successful in the Bursary Scheme and I am really hopeful that something positive will come out of my work with KickStart To Work”.

Niall is also intending to continue sailing - this time for pleasure only.

“It will be good to get on a yacht and do some relaxing sailing and not be under the pressure of being in a race,” he joked.

Niall said the experience has not only made him a more confident and self assured person but it has reinforced the importance of living life to the full and embracing any opportunities that come his way.

“I would encourage any young person to go out there and see what opportunities are available. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be doing this. I was never interested in school that much - I did well enough but it wasn’t for me and I know there are so many people that feel the same way. My message to them is to try new things, and if there is something that you enjoy doing then go for it and follow your dreams.”

Niall is looking forward to welcoming the Derry~Londonderry team when they arrive in their home port in July 2012.

“Its going to be amazing. I am really excited about the race coming into Derry and to meet with all the crew.”

The Bursary Programme for Clipper 11-12 is sponsored by Derry City Council and supported by the KickStart to Work programme. The five successful bursary candidates will also continue their ambassador role as part of the Clipper education & community programme which is expected in late Autumn 2011.

For more information on Clipper 11-12 please visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/Clipper DerryLondonderryClipper11-12. For more information on the KickStart to Work programme please visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/KickStart.