News: top stories for Autumn 2022

The National Combined Regatta returns!

London’s Royal Victoria Docks provided a spectacular setting for our first National Combined Regatta since 2019. After two postponements due to Covid-19, the patience of more than 400 cadets was rewarded with fantastic weather in which to showcase their abilities. 

Early nervous energy soon gave way to sheer excitement as cadets competed in some hard-fought rowing and paddlesports competitions, before displaying their considerable skills in boat handling. 

While we salute all the winners and medallists, we must reserve a special mention for the overall joint winners from Southern and Eastern Areas. But every single cadet represented their areas to an incredibly high standard, putting on a great show and making their units proud. And a great deal of fun was had, too – many new friends were made, along with some amazing memories, including gathering in the ExCel Centre to receive medals and trophies from Captain Sea Cadets, Captain Neil Downing RN, and our Chief Executive, Martin Coles CBE. 

We thank all our amazing volunteers for making the event possible and ensuring cadets were so well prepared, looked after and entertained at all times. A massive BZ to all involved!

Hard-to-reach young people get out on the water

Thousands of hard-to-reach young people enjoyed water-based activities for free this summer, thanks to our outreach programme On The Water. 

More than 1,400 children across London, Birmingham and Merseyside tried out sailing, kayaking, canoeing and more, For many, this was their first experience of boating.

Among the groups who took part were children and young people with disabilities and additional needs, young people in care, young carers and children from low-income households. This year, Sea Cadets also hosted young refugees and asylum seekers from war-torn countries, including a group of Ukrainian children.

“We want to give young people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford or have access to water-based activities a chance to have some nautical adventure and fun,” says On The Water Coordinator Ryan Bentley. “The aim of the programme is to boost young people’s confidence, get them to enjoy some fresh air and exercise, make new friends and try something new.” 

“I could not afford to take my children to do activities like this so I am very grateful to Sea Cadets for giving them this opportunity.”

parent of a young person who took part in On The Water

A fresh look at cadet training

We’ve launched a new and improved range of online learning resources this autumn, designed to help our amazing volunteers deliver even more engaging cadet training. 

The updates include new versions of our Cadet Training Programme modules up to Ordinary Cadet and Royal Marines Cadets Syllabus up to Corporal.  

There are at least two alternative session plans for every module, giving volunteers great ideas for delivery of training sessions. All of the new sessions, together with practical guidance on delivery, can be accessed via our Programmes Online page.

Thrills and skills at spectacular summer camps

Following two disrupted years, an amazing 2,250 cadets made the most of the August sunshine with a busy programme of summer camps. The sense of excitement could be seen in the North West Area trip to Cornwall for a fantastic camp at HMS Raleigh. As one of the 46 tireless volunteers noted, “The sound of laughter could be heard in all corners!” After excelling in adventure training and boat work, the 127 cadets were rewarded with a disco and a trip to a theme park.  

“This is the first time she has stayed away from home alone and I was expecting a call to collect her, but she has come back a totally different girl! Calm, confident and mature. She is already asking when she can go again!”

mum of JUNIOR CADET LAYLA

In South Yorkshire, the return of National Junior Summer Camp offered many of the 600 junior sea cadets a first taste of life away from home. Feedback from parents suggests that confidence levels soared, with lifelong friendships made and comfort zones abandoned. A brilliant team of 74 volunteers, ably assisted by 40 senior cadets, helped juniors sharpen their problem-solving skills through team-based challenges like buggy building and orienteering. 

As ever, our royal marines cadets took things to another level. In what was possibly the ultimate ride of the summer, Alpha Company enjoyed a flight in a Merlin HC4. Meanwhile, at Lima Company camp, 80 cadets developed their fieldcraft skills with two nights camping out under the stars. Much fun was had in camouflage and concealment training ahead of a stalk exercise, while cadets even claimed to enjoy their first taste of ration packs! 

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