Cardiff University student recounts ‘unforgettable experience’ of two week Atlantic voyage

A Cardiff University student who took a two week voyage across the Atlantic this summer has returned revealing his “unforgettable experience”.

Samuel Underwood, a second year medical student victoriously helped sail a 53 foot yacht from Greenland to Scotland alongside two other crew members this summer.

Speaking with the Western Telegraph, Samuel said: “It’s an unforgettable experience. It was the trip of a lifetime. It puts things into perspective when no one is around you on the sea. It makes you think twice about the little problems in life.

“There were plenty of icebergs and these were quite a worry, especially when we were sailing down the west coast from Nuuk in Greenland. They could do considerable damage to the boat. But sooner or later we had to steer around them.

“The journey required constant concentration, keeping an eye on the compass and any other obstacles.”

On the journey down to the western Greenland coast, Samuel and the crew only sailed during the day. He said each person in the crew was allocated a shift rotation, steering the boat for three hours and then six hours off for cooking, sleeping and resting.

“The most challenging part was waking up every six hours for watches. A lot of mental strength was needed but it was a chance to explore my skills,” explained Samuel.

The medical student set out on the voyage after he was asked to join by Pete Evans, the father of a fellow Cardiff University student, who required an extra crew member.

However, Samuel’s venture into sailing was not a new one, as he first started sailing at 11 years old at Saundersfoot Sailing Club where he was inspired to start sailing by his grandfather, David Davis, who was a competitive sailor many years ago.

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According to the Western  Telegraph, Samuel admitted that it would be a long time before he would set out for another voyage.

“When it comes to once in a life opportunities like that, I was lucky. I have never done anything like that before. There was a lot of risk involved. It took a big chunk out of my summer.

“Even though I had the sailing skills, it was a very different type of sailing that I was used to.”

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