Ma Te Wa, something that was ingrained in us at our time at Outward Bound.

There was no exact definition of what it meant but to each of us that was there, it got us through three tough weeks.

On 31 May, Summer Lovegrove (year 12) and Rebecca Golding (year 12) both set out towards the Marlborough Sounds to create a journey that only a few have experienced. Travelling to Outward Bound in Anakiwa, to discover how they could be pushed beyond their limits. Outward Bound is described as an ‘outdoor bootcamp’, it contains physical and physiological challenges that requires: teamwork, strength, technical training and survival skills. 

Rebecca:

Since my whole life has revolved around sport, I already knew how much I would enjoy this experience, but it was when I arrived that I found it so much more intriguing than what I’d expected. Looking back on the three weeks I had endured at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds, the most thrilling and exhilarating experience actually happened on day three of the course. A two day kayaking trip or ‘scheme’- that involved kayaking down streams of crystal clear water, rapids that terrified you going down, rocks and most importantly teamwork. Even though I trusted my physical expertise having done kayaking prior to this course, my mental intellect would be my technical difficulty.

However, I trusted myself and kept repeating that I was able to complete each rapid and in those moments, it contributed to the best outcome of each day we spent kayaking. Although things come and go that make the little exciting butterflies in your stomach, some days create those nervous butterflies that you don’t want. For me, that day was rock climbing. The thought behind rock climbing enthralled me but as soon as you step onto a wooden platform, 50m above ground in the pouring rain, using your body weight to climb rocks, I’d prefer not to do it. Even though I gave the adventure a go, it still wasn’t something I managed to enjoy; this is where the mental toughness came in and today was a day where I really was limited. I felt as if my day had ended imperfectly but it was this day that made me realise that I was capable. This contributed to making the rest of my time at Anakiwa become an experience of a lifetime. When the three weeks came to an end, it was at this point where I really had time to reflect on who I am and realise that the real toughness starts now that I finished the course. It was my positive viewpoint that influenced my time management there at Outward Bound and is taking a significant impact on how I will now look at life and my time over the next year at school. As Outward Bound once said “It is never too late to be what you might have been”. 

Summer:

Outward bound was the experience of a lifetime. Challenging, exciting, life changing. Those are the words that I would use to describe the incredible experience. Throughout it we laughed, we cried, we supported each other, and we showed up for ourselves each and everyday. This is what made this time a time to remember. The people, the water, the mountains, the activities, the runs, but most importantly the attitude made this time what it was and how much it impacted me during my time at Anakiwa but also once I got home and in my everyday life. My highlight was definitely at the top of the climb on the third day of our tramp and you could see everything, from the sounds and the ocean to the start of the Kaikoura ranges with snow on top, this is when I knew that it was worth it, that the hard climb, the heavy packs, the uncomfortable sleeps were all worth it for that view and that feeling of completing our goal, of reaching the top. To me that summarised my time at Outward Bound, all the challenge, all the hard work for the little moments of gold that you just have to look hard enough for.