I managed to catch up with Lily Nicholls recently to talk through her amazing experience on the Spirit of Adventure over the Christmas holidays.

Lily had always wanted to go on the ‘Spirit’ and she secured her berth which departed Dunedin on 28th January and headed for Bluff and Stewart Island. She told me she had always wanted to do it and the time just seemed right at the start of her Year 13 year. Both Zoe Gray-Swann and Lenny Pettitt have also been on the Spirit of Adventure recently.

Lily met 39 other students at the boat and 15 crew and set off on the 40-foot sailing boat. Her first impressions were like: ‘Wow! This is a big boat and I get to sail it!’

One of the highlights of the sail was when Lily was made Captain on the 9th day, which is the day the students take over! Lily had this as a goal for the sail and made it known that she was interested and keen to learn everything she could while she was on board. She was selected after a vote of her peers, which was a very rewarding experience.

A typical day on the ‘Spirit’ started with a 6:30am wake up, cold shower (this is often a jump off the boat but they were in Great White Shark territory). At 8am all motors and generators are off. The bell is rung, the flag is raised. There is a fact of the day and a thought of the day and then your watch is off to do their cleaning and jobs. Each student is in a watch of ten students and your jobs are on a rotation basis so everyone does a bit of everything.

I asked Lily what the worst part was and she said very quickly that it was the sea sickness! She got better taking medication and she recounts it being rough while sailing and one rough night when sailing from Bluff to Dunedin to finish.

Her highlights were

• Bonding with everyone on the ship. This was the best part!
• The whole experience was surreal – she couldn't believe she was actually doing this
• Solidified her knowledge that she can be a leader
• Learning new things

I asked her who this type of experience would suit and she thought it would be students who:

• Are experienced in the outdoors
• Prepared to be uncomfortable
• Open to learning and experience new situations
• Not for a whiney person

Lily’s last memory when she got off the ship was wishing she was getting straight back on. However, she very much enjoyed her first night back in her own bed!

Speaking with Lily made me check out the Spirit of Adventure website and there is a 50% sale so if you are interested in putting your name forward, visit the website - Spirit of Adventure.