Two Trowbridge schoolboys took the helm of a yacht while taking part in a Sailing Academy.

David Hawkins, 15, and Kurtis van Doel, 14, of Clarendon College, were part of the crew on board two Challenger yachts, run by the Tall Ships Youth Trust and funded by HSBC Global Education Trust.

They set off last Friday and spent five days sailing in the Solent out of Portsmouth, working to gain their RYA Competent Crew Certificates, the first qualification on the RYA sailing ladder.

As well as practical skills the Sailing Academy also aims to develop youngsters’ teamwork, leadership, communication and problem-solving.

David said: “It was absolutely amazing. The crew were lovely and we got to take the helm and tack and jib in Force 9 winds.”

Kurtis said: “It was the first time I had done sailing.

“The best thing was being at the helm. I was at the helm when the winds were strongest and it was hard to keep it headed in the right direction.”