On Saturday the 7th of September I boarded the Spirit of New Zealand for a voyage around the Hauraki Gulf. It was a three-day sailing boat experience!

I learnt a lot about tying off ropes and boat safety while also getting to learn how to put up sails, steer the ship, climb the rigging and paddle a dinghy in time with other crew members.

Every day at 6.30am we jumped off the ship for a morning swim. It was cold but refreshing. We also had chores to do in our watch groups after breakfast before we got the day underway. 

On the second day we anchored the ship and used dinghies to access a beach. There we played lots of fun games such as using a buoy as a moon hopper and using our paddles as rakau sticks to play Maui Mātau. 

I also did night watch which involved looking at various gauges and dials to check the ship was safe while everyone slept as well as a walk around the ship deck and test the sea floor water temperature for Niwa. 

The voyage was loads of fun and it was nice to learn new skills, meet new people and make new friends. I especially enjoyed steering the ship when all the masts were up. It was also cool to sit in the ‘hammock’ of the bowsprit while it was moving and watch the waves crashing below. I would recommend a Spirit of New Zealand voyage to anyone who is interested and hope to go on a longer voyage when I’m older.

~ Sophia MacDonell ~.