Conquering a fear of heights was just one of the challenges Hastings teenager Phoenix Nincsics overcame during an 11 day voyage with the tall ship, STS Young Endeavour.
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The Hastings Secondary College year 12 student braved the southern swell of Tasmanian waters during the Hobart-to-Hobart leg on the Endeavour from January 4 to 15.
His voyage goal of climbing the 30 metre mast of the ship was accomplished despite a crippling fear of heights.
"My goal was to climb the mast as far as possible and I did that," he said.
"It was really good. The people were all really cool and we were all different.
"It was something I hadn't done before and it was exhilarating just be be climbing up the mast while you were sailing along."
Each year the Young Endeavour, launched in 1987, travels along the east and south coasts of Australia in 20 voyages guided by a crew of nine trained Royal Australian Navy personnel.
Ship attendees aged 16 to 23 years apply to navigate, keep watch and take the helm of the Endeavour.
The ship was originally given to Australia by the British government in 1988 to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary.
"I'd definitely recommend it and would like to do it again. Although it's not something I'd want to do 24/7," said Mr Nincsics.
"I've learnt about sailing the ship, resilience, working as a team and goal setting.
"It was a bit weird at times because there wasn't any place to be alone. All the working spaces were above deck while the sleeping quarters and galley were below. You were always with someone or close to people."
Mr Nincsics was recently selected as the Bonny Hills/Lake Cathie Lions Club speaker in the Tacking Point Lions Club Youth of the Year Quest for 2019.
He also represented Hastings Secondary College at the NSW public schools state drama camp in July 2019.
Mr Nincsics has volunteered to become a youth ambassador for the Endeavour program in Port Macquarie. He hopes to promote community support to sent two students annually into the program.
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