29 students from the Year 12 Certificate II Outdoor Recreation course spent three days sea kayaking around the South West last week and were lucky to have ideal weather, making the experience even more enjoyable. After Katelyn Spurling confidently reversed the boat down the boat ramp, Wednesday saw the students paddle around the Augusta Inlet and through the river mouth, where they practised surfing the kayaks, launching in surf, and basic skills revision.
On Thursday morning the group travelled via bus to Cosy Corner, where we carried the boats down the stairs and paddled along the spectacular coastline, past the blow holes, sea cliffs, Fowl Bay, Cemetery Beach and out to Hamelin Island. With some exciting swell testing the group we made an early lunch stop to assist with Amy Gibb’s and Chellnio Macleod’s sea sickness. On the final day students practised their capsize drill, self-rescue and other casualty rescue drills.
Each day, the students rotated through using the double Sit-on sea kayaks, Single cockpit sit-in kayaks and driving the centre console boat in preparation for their Recreational Skippers ticket assessment. Students also had the opportunity to learn how to eskimo roll, fish for Salmon and swim with sting rays.
Basing the camp at Hamelin Bay Caravan Park allowed the students to demonstrate their much improved cooking and camping skills and also sample some smoked salmon, Green curry salmon and salmon roe. Unfortunately, Jimmy Went was unable to land a King fish, but luckily Henry Mickle provided a Salmon for the group.
A massive thanks must go to Mr Darryl Allieti, Ms Mikala Kemp Downes, Mr John Leyendekkers, Stuart Mathieson, Rosco and Dave for their enthusiasm and professionalism in working with the Year 12 group and providing many learning opportunities. A big thanks must also go to all 29 students who came prepared for the conditions and made the most of everything presented.
Mr Clee Avard
