Last week the Level 3 PE students spent 3 days on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Abel Tasman. Studying safety management strategies in the outdoors for Tramping; Camping; Navigation; and Sea Kayaking.

In March, our Year 13 PE class, Miss Boyce and Mrs Marfell got the awesome opportunity to go on camp to the Abel Tasman and make it from Mārahau to Tōtaranui in three days. 

On day 1, we kayaked 12 km from Marahau to Anchorage, Then day 2 was our biggest day when we tramped with everything in our packs from Anchorage to Awaroa, a huge 21 km day. On the last day we tramped 7 km to Tōtaranui and caught the boat back to Mārahau, seeing some seals on the way. 

This camp was so rewarding for everyone, and we all sat on the beach at Tōtaranui feeling very proud everyone including ourselves. We had the option to camp at Onetahuti on the second night, making our second day easier but it would’ve meant we wouldn’t have been able to get to Tōtaranui. Everyone chose to walk the extra 7 km which was worth it for the accomplishing feeling at the end. 

It was such a fun camp with so many fun memories made, and heaps of us will be going back to the Abel Tasman because of how amazing it this experience was.

By Hannah Buck (Year 13)