The 'Young Mariners' group has been teaching young girls a multitude of skills for decades now, and I had the chance to spend a gorgeous Monday evening chatting with them whilst they showed me the ropes of sailing.
Based in Milford on Lake Pupuke, the Young Mariners is a non-profit organisation that spends Mondays from 5:30 - 8pm in summer, developing skills in rigging boats, estimating wind patterns, sailing, and creating friendships on the water. The group is made up of girls ranging from the ages of 8 to 18, as well as parents who offer up their time to guide and teach them skills. Not only are these girls improving their sailing, but they are also learning qualities that will help shape them for life.
The idea of the Young Mariners first came about in 1980, when a young girl wanted to join the predominantly male Sea Scout Unit in East Auckland. This led to a lot of discussion between youth organisations at the time, and resulted in a plan for both girls and boys to have an opportunity to sail. Thus, the Young Mariners was born, for girls to get involved on the water too. With 10 units spread across New Zealand to this day, the programme has been thriving and allows young girls to get in touch with their community, create new friendships and learn life skills on the way.
The girls who are involved in the programme love the social environment of the weekly gatherings, and the experiences are incredibly rewarding. One member in particular, Finola, is 18 years old and has been a part of the group for six years. She is the oldest member in the group and now works alongside her father guiding the younger girls, which she finds is extremely worthwhile. One of the stand out reasons for being in the Young Mariners is friendship, and Finola has found that starting the week by meeting up with all of the girls has been a highlight for her: “It’s also a great way to let off steam. When I had exams - even if I had one the next day- I would always come to Mariners. It was really nice to just get in a sailboat, hop off, let your mind clear for an hour, and then you could go back to studying and worrying about it.”
Communication and teamwork are also taught through the activities that the Young Mariners provide. As one of the older girls in the group, Finola is very familiar with a role of leadership, and teaches the younger girls the skills she has already learnt through the programme. This is one of the unique things about the group, as having such a diverse range of ages enables the younger girls to have role models, and the older girls to pass on their knowledge to benefit others.
Parent support has always been something of importance to the group, as they rely on the help and guidance when it comes to organising the meets, and taking charge of safety in the water. The girls do spend a great amount of time rigging and sailing themselves, but there is an importance in having the parents there as a support system and helping hand when it is needed. Bryce, one of the fathers in the patrol boat, sees how the Young Mariners work together, and how this benefits them outside of sailing too. His own daughter Gemma is only 11, and her self reliance and maturity has noticeably grown since she began going to the Young Mariners weekly. He also commented on how the group brings girls from different schools and ages all together, which allows them to expand their circle of friends.
The girls not only learn to sail, but also pick up skills in kayaking, lifesaving, swimming, team building events, and even steel barrel shooting at their regattas, which they have twice a year. During these events, the girls get to show their teamwork and competitive sides as they race against other boats and get to put everything they have learnt to the test. Although, this is one of the only times the girls face competition. At their regular sail meets, the group commented on how relaxed the Young Mariners environment is, and that it was one of the reasons they love the group so much.
In the winter months, the Young Mariners also encourage members to complete tasks in order to earn badges, which can include projects such as cooking, reading, and sewing. Camping is also one of the highlights, as the girls get to challenge themselves and spend some time soaking up the outdoors. There are also end of term activities that are put on for the girls to enjoy - a particular stand out of these was a rollerblading trip last year!
To get in contact with the group, head to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/awataha
Visit their website: www.youngmariners.org.nz or contact Unit Leader Vicky Campbell directly on 021 784 768.
