Funding » Tasman $200 Ships Recipient Reports » 2015 Award Recipients
2015 Award Recipients
2015 Award Recipients
Arved Hertwich - Spirit of Adventure
5:00 pm, 2nd August 2015 saw me walking down Quay Street on my way to the Spirit of New Zealand sailing ship. Over the next 10 days I would be sailing on this ship with 39 other trainees my age and I can't deny that I wasn't a bit nervous as I did not know anybody! On arriving at the ship, most of the other trainees were already on board and everybody was sitting around quietly. The ship itself was an impressive sight, 45 metres long and fitted with 3 masts! The first night was as expected, conversation sparse and quite a few 'lost' looking people sitting around... but it was not to last.
On the next day we were all divided up into 4 different teams of around 9 trainees each. We set sail that very day and cruised out of Auckland harbour to Kawau Bay, and were rewarded with dolphin and whale sightings on our very first day! The next few days were full on days of learning, sailing, navigating, playing games and I loved each and every minute of it! I still find it amazing how much a person can experience and learn in such a short period of time. On the second day, crossing over to Great Barrier Island we had a 2 metre swell and that was more than enough for my (none existing) sea-legs. Most of us trainees were lying on deck that day, not moving in fear of having to 'feed the fish' if we did. What I didn't expect was that my seasickness wore off over a couple of days. Even after the miracle (ginger) biscuits ran out I was to be seen working the sails with my fellow trainees in rough weather, and one of the highlights of the whole trip was working on the Bowsprit (the very front of the ship) during a 4 metre swell! It does feel kind of impressive when you see huge waves passing under you and then quenching the ship with water.
We spent most of our voyage in the Bay of Islands, 'learnin the ropes' and becoming more confident with each other and the ship. I pretty much enjoyed everything we did but some of my highlights were going into a cave on land and then having to swim out in the sea, sailing the small sailing boats, climbing to the very top of the mast, the list goes on and on :) The actual crew of the Spirit of New Zealand ship were also the coolest group of people ever! All of them were quick to join in with the fun, always ready for a laugh and were always there if you needed some advice or if you had a question.
I've never really been a talkative person. Living really rural, with no other people my age living close-by has not exactly made me really confident around others so the first couple of days on-board were pretty quiet for me. One thing that was really amazing on this trip was that all of the other trainees were awesome. There's no other way to describe it. Total strangers came up to me and started a conversation, respected my shyness and before I knew it I was no longer uncomfortable talking with them! On Trainee day (day 9) we had to sail the ship back to Auckland ourselves, and my fellow trainees elected me to be Mizzen watch assistant! I was very happy that I had overcome my nervousness and being elected on the last day made me appreciate just how much I had 'fitted in'. In the end, I made many awesome friends and all of the Voyage 697 trainees were one big family. The farewell on day 10 was quite a sad affair, with many sniffling noses and quite a few tears as well.
Overall this trip has probably been the best 10 days of my life and I have gained so much more knowledge and confidence that I am very very happy to have had the opportunity to be part of this unique experience. Even though the weather was not the most pleasant throughout the trip, I find myself missing the freezing 6:30 morning swims and the rolling, sickening swells. I definitely recommend this programme to everybody as I can guarantee it will be an amazing experience that you will never forget … I most certainly won't!
Amber Terrill - Spirit of Adventure
On 15 April I began my 10-day voyage on the spirit of New Zealand and set off from Auckland, with 38 other trainees and 13 crew members. This was an experience I will never forget. I made lots of new great friends and learnt heaps on how to sail the ship. By the end of the voyage I knew the ship inside and out. I managed to achieve a lot in what felt like such a short time. I climbed to the top of the mast and out on the yards. This is something I didn’t think I would be able to do. I feel like I have developed more as a person who is confident and capable of more than what I think. I have newly-found personal skills that I can use throughout my life.
We were taught self-discipline as when we are out in the world it will just be us finding our own way. This is why I think the Spirit of Adventure is such a great thing, you are sent away from home with new people with an objective to create a life there on that boat. When we leave home we will meet new people and have a job to do, therefore these skills will come in handy. My voyage taught me to embrace the new challenges and treat everything as an experience.
The voyage of 688 was what we made it to be, they set the outline of the trip and our job was to push our boundaries and strive for achievement. Throughout my efforts on the voyage my peers elected me to be a part of the bridge team that sailed the ship for trainee day. Three others and I were responsible for the running of the ships events and safely taking the ship into Auckland harbour. We had brilliant navigators and station leaders that helped keep us running on time and effectively using the sails. The crew became somewhat purposely clueless that day, letting us take the reins and get to our destination on time. Interestingly enough we were 1 minute and 3 seconds early to where we had to hand the ship back over. My fellow trainees and I made a great team and add a real adventure together.
Highlights would have to be seeing whales and dolphins as we crossed to and from Great Barrier Island. The early morning swims were something I looked forward to and night watch was always interesting as it was our job to make sure our ship was safe as our captain slept. We were also lucky enough to be allowed aboard a navy vessel where we were taken for tours. They really ran a tight looking ship.
We did encounter some rough sea but that is what the boat was built for. My personal job on trainee day was to make sure that every station was running smoothly and to raise and lash or lower the anchor. Also my job was to keep time with the navigators and communicate with our trainee cooks so that we all got fed. At the end of the voyage I was the one in 39 trainees who was awarded the jewellers certificate for showing outstanding endeavour and personal growth. I must admit I did struggle at first but I came out of my shell. It was the making of me.
Renee Goodwin - Spirit of Adventure
The Spirit Of New Zealand was the most incredible life experience that I've had. I learnt so so much in the last 10 days that i never would have even imagined I could learn in such a short time. And without the Tasman District Councils support I wouldn't have had this incredible opportunity.
I've seen parts of our country that I honestly didn't even know existed, along with this came some honestly breathtaking views. All of the people that I met along the way have become lifetime friends that I will never forget.
I learnt so much, how to assist in sailing the tall ship we were on, which was yes hard work but so rewarding.
We also went on a 7 hour hike up Mt. Hobson on Great Barrier Island, that was an incredible day spent hiking up, in parts of the walk we were completely drenched by the rain. That being the most incredible feeling, I have not ever experienced so much gratitude for the rain. I climbed to the top of the midship mast, that was just like being on top of the world.
But with all of these incredible highs there were hard parts as well 10 days confined on a boat with little sleep and 54 other people that you don't know is challenging, just as the physical challenges that I faced with the other trainees. Going to bed at 10 or sometimes a lot later and getting up at 6.30 in the morning for our morning swim without fail led to some very tired and grumpy trainees, including myself. Of course with this there came days for everyone where we didn't overly want to participate, the crew however couldn't allow that. Full participation everyday was required, at the time no one was too happy about it especially on their off days. But I can say now I have not ever been so grateful for the crew always pushing me to my limits. Making me feel accomplished and more and more content with my achievements.
Everyone I met on the ship grew incredibly on the voyage as did I, it was and is an experience I don't ever want to forget!
I never imagined the trip to go as it did but it was more than I could ever dream!
Many thanks to everyone who sponsored me to get there, I wouldn't have made it without all of your support I am more than grateful.
Jack Neal - Spirit of Adventure
Thank you for donating two hundred dollars towards my trip on the Spirit of New Zealand.
I went on the ten-day voyage around the Hauraki Gulf, this included Great Barrier Island and then over to Coromandel.
I saw some amazing things such as dolphins, whales and even a hammerhead shark.
I made forty new friends from all around New Zealand and I will be keeping in touch with all of them.
Climbing up the mast was a very exciting experience because the height gave me a big adrenalin rush this was one area where I was not very confident when it came to heights before I went on the Spirit, now it’s not a problem.
My favourite part of the voyage was becoming part of the Spirit of New Zealand family. Now that I am on land I really miss all of the people that were on the Spirit with me they made a ten day boat trip become the best ten days of my life at this stage nothing else could beat being on the Spirit of New Zealand.
At first I was nervous of going on the Spirit with 40 other strangers but after the first hour of being on the boat I felt like I had known everybody for a long time and I didn’t want to be anywhere else or with any other people.