Rich Wilson: ‘Never Give Up!’

Skipper Rich Wilson retells the story of the Vendee Globe to Jackson School students.

When was the first race?  What continents did you pass by?  How many races have you done?  When did you start sailing?  What age were you when you went on your first boat?  How many years have you been sailing?  What do you like best about your voyages? Did you ever get scared?

These were a few of the many questions that the students were wondering about before our teacher at sea, Skipper Rich Wilson http://www.sitesalive.com came to visit us on Friday. He retold his amazing story of his epic race around the world Vendee Globe race in the 2008-09  to students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade.  Students sat completely focused for 30 minutes as he shared videoclips of his view from the cockpit as he sailed around Cape Horn, across the Southern Ocean, and South Atlantic, incredible weather maps, broken masts, and proud moments at the finish line. He tied in math, geography, oceanography, weather, navigation, history, music, health, fitness, and sailing into his presentation.  Students followed up with many questions that he enthusiastically answered.   Rich is an unpretentious, incredible educator.  We are grateful for the opportunity to share his voyage experiences with him.

 

Skipper Rich Wilson speaks with fifth graders about the Vendee Globe 2008-09.

 

Our Sailing into Spring Bulletin Board introducing Skipper Rich Wilson