By Evie, Room 18

There are many activities for the new Year 7 students at Heaton, and one is sailing at Lake Rua. My group, Rooms 19 and 18 of Otahuna House, loved sailing. We started off by learning all about how to set up the boats in a safe and secure way, and to be safe - mostly by staying on the opposite side of the boat from the boom. The instructors showed us on a boat first, and then we split into groups of three or four and started to set up our own boats. This task took longer than we thought, so we soon took a break to reapply our sunscreen and have some morning tea. Most of us had already run out of water by then! The break went in a flash, and soon we were learning how to sit and steer correctly, as well as how to turn without capsizing. But even though we practised, when we were out on the water some of us did not succeed!

We started off with taking turns sailing to the yellow milk carton about 45 metres into the lake. Then we turned around and sailed back to our group on shore. After everyone had had a turn, it was time to have lunch. But instead, we ran into the lake and swam to the pontoon as it was a very hot day.

Soon after lunch, we marched back to begin sailing again. This time the carton was about 60 - 70 metres away. It was mostly smooth sailing, but four people capsized! And three were on the cursed yellow boat, which was mine! I wished I could have capsized again, but it was time to go. Time had flown by! I would go back to Lake Rua any day!