Year 11/12 Outdoor Education Kayaking

Ashburton College senior Outdoor Education students have started the year off enjoying the summer weather learning introductory kayaking skills at Lakehood.

Once a week for the first half of Term 1 both Year 11 & 12 students get the opportunity to have a go at kayaking, to learn basic skills or develop their current skills they have. From understanding how to enter a kayak and wet exit from the kayak to more advanced skills such as the eskimo roll.

Both classes have had one session each so far and have thoroughly enjoyed their time out on the water. Fortunately the weather has played it’s part☀

Using our double period gives the class enough time to have a good hour to an hour and a half on the water🌊

The sessions are usually finished with a few Manu’s (bombs) off the wharf.

Year 12 Outdoor Education hike Boundary Creek Hut

The year 12 Outdoor Education class got their first trip underway with a hike to Boundary Creek Hut, up behind Lake Clearwater.

The class were very lucky, and the weather played its part being perfect, although it was almost too hot on the first day.  Sunscreen was required by all☀

The hike was a gradual climb through the valley which although not steep was tiring as it was a constant uphill.  After 14km we made it to our destination and were greeted with beautiful surroundings, a flowing stream down to the river, a 115-year-old hut and the standard backcountry long drop.

In the late afternoon, for those that were keen, students had time  to explore around the area and check out the sites. After dinner a couple of games of good old spotlight 🔦 were played.

The next day it was pack up after breakfast and head on back. Day 2 is slightly easier as going back is the slight downhill.

This trip is the perfect practice for figuring out what gear they should/should not bring and getting used to carrying all their gear for our next trip.

The class are now looking forward to their next hike which will see them tackle the St James trail in Term 2.