Most teenagers plan their spring break with their family and friends, however Adam Rusnak already knew where he was headed to for this year's break away from the routine of school, Wintersail 2011 at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, located on the beautiful Cadboro Bay, Victoria. Sailing and training with twelve other sea cadets from across the Prairie provinces, Adam came to Victoria on March 16 and began 10 days of intensive training with the Lazer 2 and 420 Dinghy sailboats, challenging the seas and bays of the Pacific Ocean in a variety of weather conditions.
Into his 4th year with the 114 Orkney Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp (RCSCC), the accomplished 16 year old student of Yorkton Regional High School, qualified for the opportunity of attending Wintersail through his dedication to his cadet corps and through his commitment through summer and cadet corps training events. Combined with his 3 years of being a cadet, his leadership emerged as a defining factor to being selected for this incredible opportunity.
By the time his training is complete the sea cadets will have sailed through the Cadboro and Oak Bays, with a final test of their seamanship skills sailing through the Juan de Fuca and Georgian Straits.
Steve McBride, Sailing Program Coordinator for the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and head coach for the sea cadets, is more than familiar with the commitment needed to be selected for these weeks of training. Being a sailing instructor for the cadets early on in his adult life, and calling Manitoba his home where he learned how to coach sea cadets, he described the experience Adam and the other cadets as "an incredible opportunity to learn and practice the necessary skills in an environment that's near perfect."
He continued, "What these cadets learn during their time here will be a huge benefit when they compete in the national sailing regatta that's held later this summer in Kingston, Ontario."
Cadets is a national program for youths ages 12 thru 18 who want to make new friends while participating in fun and challenging activities. The Cadet Program promotes teamwork, leadership and citizenship. It helps develop decision making skills, increases self-confidence and physical fitness. For more information on the cadet program go to: www.cadets.ca
