Tunnel Beach 23/3/11

Seeing tunnel beach was amazing it is extraordinary what is around Dunedin and so very close. The weather started off very bitter and cold and then it changed when we got down to the beach the sun came out and it was like any other good Friday we normally have. We all enjoyed the walk there and we saw some amazing things and what the waves do over time to the rocks. The people who had never seen the tunnel there were amazed by how well it was built and when you got down to the beach it was an amazing site to see. Rachael and Sally got stuck on a rock when the water was coming in it was very funny we got wet feet. The walk back up to the top was steep but didn't take very long it actually took us 12 minutes. It was another eye opener to what is around Dunedin. The video is of the tunnel with some nice commentary from Natalie and Rachael.

Surfing on St. Clair Beach! 23/02/11

The sky was clear, the day a bit hot (for Dunedin) - and we were heading in a our small Bus/big Van towards St. Clair Beach; all of us were excited and to be honest a bit nervous about our first Surf Lesson, but after only 15 minutes of perfect timing - yes, I (florentina) was ON time - we arrived at the Esplanade where we got provided with Neoprene Suits (you have to find the right size first - and then put it on the right way around; which seemed to be quite difficult as some of us put it on INSIDE OUT !) and a big, spungy board, with which you can hardly hurt yourself and float easily on the waves.

After half an hour we went down onto the beach, the tide being semi-out. We did warm up exercises as well as lying on the board in the right spot ("face the black dot in the middle of the board! So your feet dangle off the end of the board") and then to JUMP UP, which was the biggest challenge for most of us - because of missing balance and the new, tight feeling of all the neoprene fabric around us;
THEN WE HIT THE WAVES! and had an awesome time, trying to catch as many as possible.
first WAITING FOR THE WHITE STUFF TO COME CLOSER
then TURNING AROUND YOUR BOARD, so it is facing the beach (some got washed off intending to do so)
PUSHING, CRAWLING AND FREESTYLING (with your arms) so you gain speed
and finally SURFING THE WAVE, JUMPING UP ONTO YOUR BOARD
and KEEPING BALANCE !! bending your knees, and falling off the surf board backwards, just like a starfish.
It was REALLY WORTH IT, falling off a hundred times, and always being watched after by some surf instructors - they were busy getting us onto the right waves.


WE HAD THE MOST AWESOME SURF - perfect for learning
AN AMAZING OUTDOOR EDVANTURE
x o x

Pineapple Track, 16th february

After school on the 16th february went to the starting point of the Pineapple Track. After a steep beginning through the bush we came out onto a grassy area. There we walked along Dunedin’s Skyline with magnificent views of the city. At the top we made some group photos and had a little rest. The Pineapple Track’s name comes from people who left their pineapple tins there at the top of the hill. Then we continued our walk on the Flagstaff. The walk was about 5 km long and took as about 2 hours.

Rock Climbing at Long Beach! 09/02/11

On our first Wednesday of outdoor education we went rock climbing at Long Beach. We had amazing weather and a lot of fun. Our instructor Dave, taught us how to belay properly which was really cool. We were out there for an 1 and 1/2 hours. The view at the top of the rocks was amazing; you could see a lot of the beach. Tintin was the first to the top of the rocks to look over the other side. Rock climbing on rocks not on a wall in a room was a totally different experience because people had to trust in each other and you learnt that you have to use your legs way more than pulling up with your fingers. This was a great start to our outdoor education experiences!!

Snorkeling! 16/03/11

Today we went down to Dive Otago to have a go at snorkeling! Our instructor gave us some flippers and a mask, and we were set to go. We started off by learning how to get into the water (a great place to start). We slid in one by one, into the cold water and swam to the shallow end. When everyone was ready, we practiced getting use to breathing under water. We would go under the water, take a deep breath and remove our snorkel. When the water had gone into our snorkel, we would put it back in our mouth and blow all the water out the top. This took a bit of practice, but we soon got the hang of it, and were doing it while swimming in deep water. When everyone was feeling confident, we started going deeper where we had to equalize (pop our ears so they didn't hurt). We played a few games at the bottom of the pool, but everyone was getting to cold so we cut the lesson short. Over all it was a great afternoon and we learnt a lot about snorkeling!!

Surfing at St Clair 02/03/11

Urban camping 09/03/11

One of our funniest adventures was the overnight in our school area.But it was not only assembling our tents but also cooking for our guests (each of us a guest).At first it sound like it is safer in the school than in the bush,but really is it more dangerous in town because some people cross the school when they go back to their homes after a night boozing.After school we met at 2.30 to do our shopping for our three meals.After we finished our successful shopping in New World we returned to school and constructed our tents.We also got a instruction how to use the gas cooker so we started to cook our meal.For our entré we prepare dips with crackers,vegetables and cheese with grapes,..This was followed by our main course which was Paella with cous cous,Sausages,chicken,Noodles,...To complete our meal we had dessert which consisted of cous-cous pudding and berries; chocolate cake with chocolate sauce, finished off by chocolate pudding.

After eating so much we watched a film ("The River Wild") which was very exciting.

Then we made ourselves ready to sleep but a large moth made a few girls "SCREAM!!" and others laughed and took fotos :)

But after while the conversations ceased and everybody was falling asleep.

In the morning we had a great breakfast and than we dissassemble our tents.
And when the school started in the morning nobody could see that we had an overnight there.
It was such a great experience!!!!