Coastguard Boating Education Day Skipper Experience down South

by Elwing Discoveries . on 6 Sep 2010 Elwing Discoveries is an outdoor adventure programme operating at Stewart Island, onboard ‘Elwing' our 14m (46 foot) yacht. The programme is often used by schools and has been very successful in all aspects, plus encouraging voyagees to appreciate, respect and enjoy being in the wilderness.

Coastguard Boating Education Service (CBES) is a strong supporter of our work in educating the upcoming boating people of today. Both Arthur and Barbara are accredited tutors for the CBES Day Skipper Course. Arthur is also an accredited tutor for the Marine VHF Radio Course.

The CBES Day Skipper Course makes NZQA Unit Standards available to participants (new allocation – now 6 units) and may be eligible to be funded through the high school ‘STAR' funding programme. Several schools already use Elwing for this course and find it excellent. The Day Skipper Course aboard Elwing involves a large component of practical participation along with the theoretical learning. CBES Marine VHF Radio Course is also available as an onboard course if required. CBES ‘Safe Boating' and ‘Day Skipper Experience' certificates can also be earned and obtained by younger (primary, intermediate and secondary school age) adventurers when voyaging aboard Elwing.

The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust – Youth Development Division, have ‘come aboard' Elwing and between us we have come up with a great package which they have offered to a different age bracket. We are now running a Day Skipper Course, Marine VHF Radio Course and Voyage at Stewart Island with the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust for young adults – approximately 18-25 years old. This is a very exciting development in our programme and there has been a very strong response to the opportunity.

The adventure participants live together on board 'Elwing', they will then sail around different parts of Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, anchoring in different bays to suit the weather forecast, working on, experiencing and practicing some of their new knowledge. During their travels the participants are in a situation to sight many things of interest – birds, seals, shags, albatrosses, land formation, historic sights. They are likely to visit Ulva Island and will take part in extra activities besides sailing, e.g. kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, navigation, exploring. These adventures are based on each person participating fully in the programme on board Elwing, although, requires no previous experience.

When operating at Stewart Island we focus predominantly on five to seven day voyages and over the last 10 years have taken larger groups out on day excursions on a few occasions. Elwing Discoveries' programmes can be tailor-made to suit individual requirements. We can be left to organise all transport from your district to Stewart Island or alternatively we can leave you to organise transport to Bluff and we do the rest.

Elwing Discoveries' skipper, Arthur, has a very long background of boating history in all areas of aquatic activities. He also has a very long background in teaching, - outdoor education, physical education, technology, transition, - therefore making it possible to incorporate both education and a wilderness experience in a programme. You'll learn not only about sailing but all facets of eco-preservation, conservation, outdoor education and being able to, not just be in the wilderness but to respect it, learn about it and enjoy it to the full. Past history in the area is also a part of the overall experience, adding another depth and dimension to the opportunities. We also regularly have voyages for foreign students, giving them an opportunity to see and experience a part of New Zealand seldom seen even by New Zealanders.

Voyages involving young adventurers have a wide range of benefits. In the first place, there is the opportunity for the young voyagees to experience an adventure in the wilderness, an opportunity seldom available to our young people in these current times. The programme will be full and challenging, though geared to the age and ability of the individuals concerned. Elwing Discoveries was established in 1997 to allow individuals and groups of all sectors of the community to take part in an adventure-based wilderness learning experience. The combination of sailing a large vessel and experiencing other activities in the wilderness offers excellent opportunities for the participants to develop life skills, such as confidence, self esteem, teamwork and respect for others. Experiential learning is a proven form of learning which is recognised. The benefits are vast in that they cover many aspects of personal and social development.


Elwing Discoveries has a large thrust towards environmental protection and working with the Department of Conservation, land owners, the ocean environment - not only for protection but also education in looking after our environment on a long term basis.

'Elwing' is a surveyed vessel through Maritime Safety Authority (MSA). 'Elwing' carries all necessary safety equipment to meet the requirements of such a trip. Elwing is designed and licensed to take up to 12 passengers on overnight adventures (although 10 is a more comfortable number) and 22 passengers for day excursions. Email elwing@clear.net.nz or phone 027 276 8817 for more information.