During the holidays seven girls, Rachael Connor, Hannah Day, Sophie Goodisson, Tabitha Wild, Madison Walters, Claudia Henderson and Jocelyn Corbett, embarked on a challenging Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey along the South Coast.
The journey pushed them to their limits, but it was filled with laughter, wildlife, and perseverance. The first three days saw them kayaking down the Clyde River, where mishaps like getting stuck on rocks and nearly capsizing were frequent. While some struggled with equipment and exhaustion, moments of humour kept the group going, such as when Madi and Sophie couldn’t stop laughing and made the camp leader drag them down the rapids to avoid capsizing. The journey became even more difficult when Jocie and Claudia, battling a broken rudder, were forced to zigzag down the river. However, they were heartened by encouragement from Tabby and Rachael singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” By the time the girls reached the campsite, the group was soaked but relieved to sit around a warm fire, drying off and sharing stories.
The final day of kayaking proved to be the hardest, with open waters, strong winds, and large waves. However, sightings of dolphins and penguins kept the group distracted from their seasickness. After saying goodbye to Rachael, the group switched to hiking, which involved a tough climb up steep stairs and coastal trails that left everyone a little out of breath. Along the way, they encountered diverse wildlife, including turtles, dolphins, and whales, as well as swooping plovers and hungry possums. The group also dealt with a midnight tick scare, which was quickly resolved with help from the camp leader.
The journey was a powerful lesson in resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery. The girls learned how to push through discomfort and realised that it’s not always about the destination, but about how you handle the challenges along the way. Through their experiences, they learned to appreciate small joys, like a warm fire after a long day or the beauty of nature and recognised that the hardest moments often lead to the most growth.