3rd-4th March 2001
Hi out there!
This was a fun occasion for all. It was sunny, the water was warm and we had plenty of fun. There were eight guides and two rangers, Pixzee and I, present plus a lot of leaders to make sure no one drowned.
For the leaders and rangers the camp started out early loading up kayaks at the boating centre before the long ride to the campsite at Mahurangi Regional Park. After exercising our arms and filling our stomachs with food we set out on fairly calm waters to journey to the next bay in our kayaks. Upon reaching the bay and rafting together I unfortunately became the first to enter the waters as I so ungracefully fell out. Luckily I was close to shore and didn't have to go through the toil of swimming with a lifejacket on or emptying water out at sea. The next part of the period before lunch was spent practicing the skills of tipping out and getting back into the kayaks from the sea.
A warm gourmet meal of pasta provided us with the strength to combat the stronger waves as we journeyed out to a small island. Battling the waves was too much for one guide's kayak which proclaimed it had a hole and promptly filled up with water. As the winds blew harder the waves grew bigger and further afternoon kayaking was waylaid. Snacks were eaten before some ventured to the other bay by a hilly route while other laid their muscles to rest on a bed. A hot time was experienced by all who climbed the grassy slope and down the other side to be met by the cub scouts camping on the grass by the bay. We were invited to play games with them and did so with smiling faces before heading back to the campsite via the rocky route. After dinner when all were ready we walked down to the beach to compete against the sea in a few rounds of singing in the dark.
I don't know how many people slept well as I didn't. Drat the size of those pup tents are they always too small? When dishes from breakfast were done and everyone was in swimming gear we strolled down to the beach with kayaks in hand for relays. We were in two teams, each with their own kayak and a point to go around which happened to be a leader in a kayak that was sometimes a little too friendly with water which commonly ended up in faces. We raced forwards and backwards, we raced blindfold, we raced with two people on and last of all with everyone on the kayak. People fell off and toppled into the water with squeals and screams. By the end everyone was hoarse and tired but I continued to play in the water. I don't know what team won in the end. I shan't say my team or I will end up in a debate.
Everything was cleaned up, tents put down and kayaks stacked to go back before lunch was started and the rangers discovered their cooker wasn't working and so had to steal lunch off the guides. One by one the parents came to take the girls away for a shower and a good night's sleep before school the next day. The leaders left with us in tow to the Boating Centre to stack the kayaks before heading home.
RoseRed
