CLIMBING a 33-metre high mast, steering, keeping watches through the night and working in a team were just some of the challenging and exciting activities that Kwinana teenager Nathan Wasson enjoyed during a five-day voyage on the Leeuwin II sailing ship.
“Two of my favourite things were climbing the main mast and making new friends,” Nathan said.
Nathan (16) expressed his interest in returning to the Leeuwin as a volunteer to further develop his sailing knowledge.
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READ NOWHe was one of 24 trainees to learn the ropes at sea after he was sponsored by the Kwinana Industries Council as part of its iDiversity project.
KIC director Chris Oughton said the sailing scholarships provide a new level of personal development for the recipients.
“It is exhilarating to see the growth of the students and we are happy to be a part of that process,” he said.
Each year trainees with a physical, emotional or intellectual limitation are chosen for the Ultimate Challenge along with the assistance of 16 care aids support staff and Leeuwin crew.
Nathan struggles with literacy and numeracy at school and was encouraged to apply when the group visited the Leeuwin Foundation in October.
Mr Oughton said the purpose of the iDiversity’s project was to showcase to youth the career opportunities in industry and for them to gain an insight into what the industry does.
Nathan’s spot onboard the Challenge was funded through the Newman’s Own Foundation along with all 39 other berths.
A Leeuwin Foundation spokeswoman said the voyages aimed to challenge and inspire young people to realise their personal potential and make a positive contribution to the wider community.