Students learn the ropes

By Sven Carlsson - Opotiki News

A COLLABORATION between Eastern Bay funding organisations has seen a group of students go on a legendary sailing trip.

Opotiki   College   outdoors   instructor Hannah Morrison said her application to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation had resulted in the Opotiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund coming up with the money to realise a venture aboard the New Zealand Sailing Trust's Steinlager II. "We were lucky enough to receive full funding to allow 24 outdoor education students to go on a 48-hour trip on the boat;' she said.

"This was the boat that Sir Peter Blake won the Whitbread Round the World Race on in 1989 to 1990. They won an unprecedented full sweep of all six legs of the race:'

Mrs Morrison said the trip was "an action­ packed few days': starting at 6am on Tuesday,Augustl6.

"We travelled in two school mini vans; Marcus Abraham was the other accompanying staff member and driver," she said.

After stopping in Matamata for breakfast, the team met the skipper, Andre, at about midday.

"We were on the boat for 48 hours, with two nights anchoring off Waiheke Island and a trip ashore on Rotoroa Island on the second day," Mrs Morrison said.

"Then we travelled back on the Thursday, afternoon, arriving back at school at 6pm:' Mrs Morrison said she was proud of the way the students met with the challenge. "They were all praised by the NZ Sailing Trust crew for their participation, manners and attitude throughout the trip:'

The students worked hard to assist in the sailing of the boat.

"This included helming, using the winches and grinding," Mrs Morrison said.

"They also helped prepare meals and clean up afterwards:•

With the seniors having experienced learning disruptions because of Covid over the past few years, tms was a great opportunity for them to "have fun, be sociable and get off devices".

"The trip was also an important part of their course and gaining credits for Level 1 and 2 students;' Mrs Morrison said.

"Level 2 students will have to write a report about the risk-management strategies used in sailing, and Level 1 will reflect on their interpersonal skills." Students lzaia Richmond-Walker and Atutahi Porter said learning how to sail and finding out more about Sir Peter Blake and his life as a sailor on Steinlager 2 was fun. Lochlan White said being on board a boat with such great history was amazing.

A New Zealand SailingTrust spokesperson said the students had a taste of wild weather over the two days.

"Well out of their comfort zones these students stood up and gave it a really good go;' they said.

"They all braved the icy water for mid winter swim:'

Following the experience of wild weather, the young sailors enjoyed some great sailing in the sheltered waters of the inner Waitemata Harbour and the Tamaki Strait. They also hopped ashore to explore the animal sanctuary at Rotoroa Island.

Mrs Morrison said she and the Opotiki College students would like to thank the Eastern Bay Community Foundation for the funding for this experience.

YEAR 13 student Mahaki Mihaere­ Neha said the memories of this once­ in-a-lifetime experience would forever remain with him and he hoped others would also get to experience this great opportunity.

"I am proud that this two-day sailing trip gave me the chance to honour Sir Peter Blake's memory by getting to sail aboard the Steinlager II;' he said.

He then quoted an excerpt from the poem, Sea-Fever, by John Masefield, which is engraved on the back of Sir Peter Blake's headstone:

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky.

"And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail her by."