|
Thanks to our major supporter of Have A Go Sailing - Orakei Marina. Week Four, 20 – 24 May
A full week this week with four schools, kind weather and high tides. That said we only ventured out of the confines of the Okahu Bay breakwater on one occasion because the weather really wasn’t too sure what it was doing and due to the busy ship, ferry and super yacht traffic on the harbour. The lighter conditions made it easier to work through the programme, from anxious land kids being introduced to an (aptly named) Optimist through to being confident under a capsized boat in deep water. Ruapotaka School was new to the programme and their kids on Monday and Tuesday were awestruck at the prospect of getting out on the Waitemata harbour. Their blog on the school webpage gives an excellent review of one of their days, https://rpsglenish.blogspot.com/ Point England and Tamaki school kids on Wednesday and Thursday did some great sailing and swimming, with quite a few hot showers being the order of the day. Friday saw the fourth class from Churchill Park School and they seemed all pre-primed and roaring to go. As such it was surprising that only three were soaked before lunch as standing sailing, rubber duck retrieving and bow riding, (Titanic posing), were all on after only the first half hour of sailing. After lunch one coach boat was on shuttle service taking the chilled back to the showers, while some ‘don’t feel the cold’ kids complained they had only capsized four times and it couldn’t be finish time.
Of the 117 sailors for the week about 20 had sailed before and around 40 never been in a boat before. Once they take on board that they aren’t going to get hurt, eaten, or drown it is amazing how rapidly their confidence and skills develop.
The four-week total is now 440, so should top 500 next week!! As you can imagine, we are receiving very positive feedback about the programme from the schools - this is just one example; "Dear Gary, On behalf of my students and my self I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to you and St John's Rotary for being one of the groups who enabled our sailing experience. This was the first time for any of my class to do this and I was a little nervous about how they would manage on the water. I need not have been. The instructors were superb! They were patient, very clear with instructions and happy to repeat them as often as was needed, which was quite a lot. Not only that, they created an atmosphere of trust which is very important for these children in relation to adults that they encounter. My students are still buzzing about what a good time they had and I have noticed a huge boost to their confidence around water and in trying new things. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity. Cheers Glenis Honore and Room 9 of Ruapotaka School" See more photos of this past weeks participants by Clicking on "Read More" below; |
.jpg)
Actions of Choice Inspires Communities
As was expected, we were indeed inspired by the presentation from six of the nine, St. Johns Rotary sponsored students, who attended this year RYPEN Camp in late March.
The beautiful weather made for a great RYE Selection Weekend (24-26 May) held at Kokako Lodge, Hunua. Over the weekend, Kiwi applicants for our Rotary Youth Exchange programme spend time with current Inbound RYE's, ROTEX (returned Kiwi RYE's) and the RYE District Committee. The idea is to interact and get to know the applicants, tell them and their parents more about the programme and after the weekend, make the 'final' selection.
.jpg)
