Culdrose sailors support 'Wave Project'
A group of trainee Observers and Aircraft Handlers from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have been busy helping a charity’s Summer Surf Challenge 2014 at Fistral Beach, Newquay.
Teaming up with some of the country’s top Pro-Surfers nine Culdrose Sailors assisted with “Wave Project”, a charity which aims to give a wide spectrum of disabled children the opportunity to surf and enjoy the water in a friendly and safe environment.
The ‘learn through surf’ concept aims to give children confidence in an environment outside their comfort zone which they can transfer to every-day situations. The organisation is heavily dependent on volunteers helping at all their events. The role that those volunteers play is crucial so that the children can have a safe and enjoyable experience in the water.
The Royal Navy volunteers, based at the Fleet Air Arm’s West Cornwall Air Base, gave a hand setting up for the day’s activities, manning the registration desk and accompanying the excited children in and out of the water. “This was an immensely rewarding and humbling experience,” said Lieutenant Chris Bugg (26) one of the trainee Observers. “It was a pleasure to help someone else gain so much enjoyment from an activity most of us can take for granted.”
Lieutenant Commander Craig Whitson-Fay, Commanding Officer of 750 Naval Air Squadron added, “It’s really important that our trainee Officers and Sailors understand how important it is to give something back to the local community. This is the second year running we’ve helped The Wave Project; and we are delighted to be able to contribute something to such a worthwhile cause.”
The four trainee Observers are currently undergoing Basic Flying Training (BFT) at 750 Naval Air Squadron, which is the Royal Navy’s Observer training school. Once they finish the course at 750 NAS, the Officers can then expect to continue their demanding training on one of the front-line helicopter types; Merlin, Sea King or Wildcat. The flying training system of which 750 NAS is a part is managed by Ascent Flight Training as part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). The Squadron is mixture of Civilian and Military staff and instructors who train the aircrew students the basics of navigation and systems management before they transfer those skills onto more advanced aircraft.