'I hope my sailing adventure will encourage others'

WEDNESDAY, APR. 11: A woman who was left with learning difficulties after a premature birth and found confidence through sailing is to embark on a transatlantic voyage to Bermuda.

Gemma Wyatt spent the first few months of her life in intensive care after suffering a brain haemorrhage but her new found passion will see her take part in a seven-week adventure sailing here from Nassau in the Bahamas via Southampton, England.

The 25-year-old nursing assistant will sail to the island aboard the Tall Ship Tenacious.

Gemma is the great granddaughter of Hector Barcilon, one of Bermuda’s former Chief Justices.

She admits that her learning difficulties had often held her back until a family holiday in Bermuda a few years ago. She  learned about Tall Ships 2009 and was persuaded to board her first ship in a bid to improve her confidence by family friends, Alan and Paulina Brooks of Pembroke. “I realised then that I had fallen in love with sailing and just love being on the water,” says Gemma who regularly sails her own boat Little Gem at the Cotswold Water Park near her home in England.

Since then, Gemma has taken part in several sailing adventures in Denmark, Norway, Antigua, Bermuda and Scotland but joining 40 other people on board the Tenacious will be her biggest challenge yet.

She has part-funded the trip after earning her place with the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a charity that provides sailing opportunities for able-bodied and disabled people.

“During the trip, I will be doing a bit of everything, such as helping in the kitchen, setting the sails and cleaning the decks” added Gemma.  “I know that I will find some of things involved hard to do, such as climbing the mast, but I am a hard worker and love being part of a team.” Gemma hopes that readers will be inspired by her progress. 

“I hope anyone out there, whether they have learning difficulties like me or not, or have just had a hard time, will read my story and be encouraged to do things they didn’t think they could.”

Tall Ships Bermuda provides financial assistance to young Bermudians aged 17 - 25 who are interested in sailing on a Tall Ship.  For more information, visit: www.tallshipsbermuda.com or email [email protected] or [email protected].