Starting the new term with good news, Drew shares with us that he has again been selected to be part of the Royal Yachting Association UK Youth Squad – Laser Radial.
What did you get up to after your year one finished?
After my year one finished, I was in Athens, Greece for the Europeans. I was one of eight boys selected for the British Laser Radial Youth team. It was not my best event, but I learnt quite a lot. I enjoyed it but I was not expecting the conditions, it was 45 degrees everyday and very shifty light winds. It was nice but a tough event. A good warm up for the Worlds.
The 2019 ILCA Laser Radial Youth World Championships were in Kingston, Canada. It was really good, I came 33rd out of 161 boats and top 3rd British boat. We were out in Canada for 2.5 weeks, we got to go to Niagara Falls then over to the sailing centre. This year it is what I had been training for, my aim was to get a good result.
How would you sum up your first year on the BTEC course?
It is good fun; it is totally different to normal college. Yes, there is a lot of coursework but with time management you can get on and do it. The BTEC has been a much better option for me than A Levels. I am interested in many of the modules and I am having a good time, enjoying it.
You are back now into your second year, how is it going?
Getting the structure back is good as I have spent the whole summer away.
We have a new teacher, Alex which is good. And it is great to be back on the water although hard to get to grips with some new topics. I am enjoying the coursework modules especially the nutrition, sport injuries and psychology, it all links in with my sailing and it is helpful.
This year is a bit different as we have been given the option to take part in extra practical sessions on the water. It is good for getting ahead with time-on-the-water practice. It’s a good option to have.
I have got my RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification and I am now focused on getting my RYA Windsurfing Instructor. I have been practising a lot in my own time, with friends from sailing. I really would like to get this qualification, I feel confident.
And what about after the BTEC?
After the BTEC I won’t be going to university straight away, I will be taking a gap year. I want to do as much sailing as possible and get a part time job in the evenings. I have also looked at doing a P.T course that looks good for me as I am really interested in fitness.
If you would like to know more about the Rockley BTEC Level 3 Sport and what the course could do for you