Cruise on 'Elwing' for a boating education adventure at Stewart Island

by Barbara and Arthur White on 30 Apr 2009 http://www.southernlights.co.nz/elwing/index.html!Elwing_Discoveries is a sailing adventure/boating education programme operating at Stewart Island, on board ‘Elwing’ the 14m (46 foot) cutter rigged yacht.

The primary focus within the programme is youth, although voyages are run for those who still feel their youth but have more ‘grey hair’ to go with We have several programmes available catering for a wide range of ages – each differing accordingly.

The www.cbes.org.nz_Zealand_Coastguard_Boating_Education_Service (CBES) is a strong supporter of our work in educating the upcoming boating people of today. Both Arthur, the skipper of ‘Elwing’ and Barbara are accredited tutors for the CBES Day Skipper Course and Arthur is also an accredited tutor for the Marine VHF Radio Operators Qualification.

For our younger (primary, intermediate, secondary school age), upcoming boaties CBES has put together a programme called ‘Day Skipper Experience’. This course is great at this level.

Schools have used this Day Skipper Experience opportunity with Elwing Discoveries as a school camp – 5 days living together aboard ‘Elwing’, sailing around different parts of Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, anchoring in different bays to suit the weather forecast and learning about going boating safely as they go.

We also regularly have voyages for international students, giving them an opportunity to see and experience a part of New Zealand seldom seen even by New Zealanders. The international students usually take part in the ‘Day Skipper Experience’ course as it is low key but at the same time very relevant to them even when they return to their home country. The laws of the sea are international and the young travellers realize that and appreciate the access to the information.

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. This adventure is based on each person participating fully in the programme on board Elwing although requires no previous experience.

At the next level schools will often call on us to run the Day Skipper course for their senior age group. This works well for the schools because the students are able to gain Unit Standard credits for their efforts. The course involves both academic time and practical time aboard Elwing.

The programme is often used by schools and has been very successful in all aspects plus encouraging voyagees to appreciate, respect and enjoy being aboard Elwing, experiencing the huge range of situations which come with being aboard a vessel not just in the wilderness but also just being aboard and living the experience.

Voyages involving schools 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.

When operating at Stewart Island we focus predominantly on five to seven day voyages because of the distance travelled by the voyagees and the opportunity to explore our amazing southern wilderness. We also bring Elwing north to the Otago Harbour once a year where we run a small number of Day Skipper Experience voyages. Also during this time on the Otago Harbour we run at least one Day Skipper course. Elwing Discoveries’ programmes can be tailor-made to suit individual requirements.

If you have an idea, put it to us and something can be worked out!

Elwing Discoveries’ skipper, Arthur, has a very long background of boating history in all areas of aquatic activities. He also has a 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, 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.

Elwing Discoveries has a large thrust towards environmental protection and working in with 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 Discoveries was established in 1997 to allow individuals and groups of all sectors of the community to take part in practical-based, wilderness, safe boating, and learning experience. The combination of sailing a large vessel and experiencing other activities in the wilderness offers excellent opportunities for the participants to develop boating skills and life skills, 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' 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.