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On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September, Belfast Eagle Sea Cadets were seen in their best uniforms at HMS Portland; the fastest and most fearless Type 23 frigate in the Royal Navy. It docked in Belfast on the 26th September for five days in Belfast Harbour. Members of Belfast Eagle that attended these days included Sub LT Claire Stephenson and AC Patrick Bingham.

During these days, cadets gave members of the public guided tours around the upper and lower deck of the ship. On land, there was a recruitment stand and a collection for those who would be interested in joining Sea Cadets as a cadet or staff member.

On Thursday 26^th September 2013, Belfast Eagle joined Belfast Dundonald and went on a ship visit on HMS Portland the fastest and most fearless Type 23 frigate in the Royal Navy. Once on board, the cadets were shown around the different parts of the ship including the Upper Deck, missiles, helicopter, Bridge, Navigation Room, Mess and Fire Equipment store.

Belfast Eagle would like to thank the staff of HMS Portland for giving up their time and taking the cadets around the ship. It was an enjoyable visit and every cadet seemed to enjoy themselves.

On Saturday 27^th September, six cadets from Belfast Eagle attended the annual Combined Regatta at the Excel Centre in London. The cadets that got selected included LC Amy Kingston, AC Rachel Hanna, CDT James Moore, POC Nikita McCoubrey, AC Matthew Hunter and CDT James Smith. These cadets have been training from early August to the end of September. Due to their dedication, they were selected as one of the best in each of their categories.

The weekend began with the cadets getting the first boat from Larne to Cairnryan at half 6 in the morning. After a two hour sail, the cadets then got a coach from Cairnryan to the Excel Centre, London were they joined the rest of the hopeful cadets eager to start the completion. The cadets arrived at the Excel Centre around 2230, but, they had no time to rest, they had to get themselves checked in and once that was completed, it was time for bed. The next morning, cadets were woken at 0630 to start getting ready for the completion and have breakfast. Once this was completed the races began and the metals and trophies were presented by the Captain of the Sea Cadets. After the award ceremony, the cadets then had to hop back onto the coach and travel through the night to cairnryan to get the first ferry home to Belfast.

Belfast Eagle would like to congratulate LC Amy Kingston and AC Rachel Hanna for bringing home metals. LC Amy Kingston got Gold in the Senior Girls Marathon (2km!) and then Silver in the 500M Spirit, two of the hardest races there is in the completion. AC Rachel Hanna won Gold in the 500M Double Spirit with AC Ashleigh Rosbottom, showing that they are indeed the fastest in a double kayak.

After a tough completion, the Senior Girls brought home the overall Senior Girls Trophy due to having the most points after all the races. Northern Ireland came joint first with South West Area and brought home ‘The Armitage Trophy’ (the overall Kayaking Trophy). This is a fantastic victory for Northern Ireland and just shows that the training work and was well worth it. Here’s to next year!

On Sunday 22^nd September 2013, the district training for the National Combined Regatta competition came to the end. Cadets have been training from the beginning of August, three days a week including Tuesday night, Thursday night and all day Sunday on the Six Mile Water on the Lough Road in Antrim.

After months of dedication and hard work, Belfast Eagle would like to congratulate LC Amy Kingston and Rachel Hanna on being picked for the Senior Girls kayaking team, James Moore who was picked for the Junior Boys kayaking team and POC Nikita McCoubrey, AC Matthew Hunter and CDT James Smith for making the Power Handling team.

All of these cadets have been highlighted as being one of the best in their teams and will represent not only Belfast Eagle Sea Cadets but, the Northern Ireland district during the competition which is held in the Excel Centre in London on Saturday 28^th September 2013.

Good luck to you all, try your best and hopefully you will win some medals.  

On Saturday 21^st September 2013, Belfast Eagle attended the Veterans Day in Londonderry Park on the Portaferry Road in Newtonards to help promote Sea Cadets. The cadets that attended included POC Nikita McCoubrey, CDT Connie Dalton and CDT James Smith with Sub LT Claire Stephenson and PPO Owen Kingston.

On the day, the cadets were speaking to the public and getting children over the age of 10 years old to enter into a competition were someone would gain a free qualification from the RYA for power boating. There were also representatives from the Royal Navy, Army, Army Cadets and the RAF.