issue2/mar14
y o j n E d n a t u o t e G e g n e l l a the Ch h g r u b n i d E f O e k Du In the News :That’s Us! Nestled in the Hunua’s Gear review The Mysto vs Frenzy Photo gallery: Bigfoot Teams in Action
contents 5
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MEET THE TEAM: Meet Jessie Lynskey
CAMP PROFILE: Hunua Falls Presbyterian Camp
BIGFOOT TEAMS IN ACTION: Photo Gallery
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PROVIDER PROFILE: Waka Ama
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BIGFOOT ACTIVITY PROFILE: Duke of Edinburgh
GEAR REVIEW: the Mysto vs Frenzy
IN THE NEWS: The World Outdoors Summit 2013
s
About Bigfoot Adventures new e-mag showcases how we help you to have the time of your life, and introduces you to some great facilities, activities, cool new outdoor equipment and relevant industry news. Editorial Content: Francesca Marcellino-Reed Contact Francesca on 0800 Bigfoot or (09) 444 1446 or email francesca@bigfootadventures.co.nz Address: Bigfoot Adventures Ltd Private Box 302 265, North Harbour, Auckland, NZ www.bigfootadventures.co.nz Art Director: Jodi Olsson Publisher: Espire Media Po Box 137162, Parnell, Auckland 1151 Enquiries: Phone Richard on (09) 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com Cover photo: Refreshing cool down after a hard day at the office
This is a GREEN MAG, created and distributed without the use of paper so it's environmentally friendly. Please think before you print. Thank you!
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from theeditorM w
Welcome back to 2014 and the second edition of our Bigfoot Emag. I hope you found the first edition informative and exciting enough to want to read the next edition. What a fabulous summer break it has been. I spent a large part of my three weeks sleeping and relaxing on the beautiful sands of the Coromandel and getting some much needed “Daddy time” with my little super hero Tyler. It was the longest break I have had in many years and it has enabled me to hit the ground running with renewed enthusiasm and energy for this years programs. 2014 has started with a burst with our first massive week of
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school camps underway as I write this article. That will be followed by seven weeks of adventurous and challenging camps and day trips with schools and companies all over the North Island. Fingers crossed the weather is kind to us with plenty of warm sunshine but not to the extreme drought that was an issue last summer. If you are still in the throes of planning your school camp, we do have some slots available for Term One and are now looking to Terms Two and Three. Feel free to give me a call if you want to consider Bigfoot’s activities for your program. Some of the highlights since our last edition was attending
the World Outdoors Summit in Rotorua, purchasing a new fleet of kayaks and mountain bikes and welcoming our new Logistics Coordinator to the Bigfoot Team. Within this edition all three of these exciting events feature in the articles along with snippets about Waka Ama and the fabulous camp location of Hunua Presbyterian Falls Camp. By the time this mag gets published and you are reading it, you should be well underway into Term One. I hope the year has started well for you all and I look forward to working with you again in 2014.
Kris Bartley
MEET the team
a
JESSIElynskey
A warm welcome to Jessie Lynskey to the Bigfoot team. She has taken on the action packed role of being our new logistic coordinator. There is nothing like hitting the ground running!!! HOMETOWN Jessie’s originally a Wellington girl. From school she studied Human Nutrition in the cold land of Otago.
“If you
by Jarvie Tunnicliffe
CAREER From university she worked for the National Heart Foundation. However, always being tempted by the outdoors, an opportunity came up to cook for a Spanish team in the Volvo Ocean Race. Since then Jessie has been chefing/nutrition for these teams that compete in this race around the world (she being land based moving ahead of them). In the last year and a half she ended up in a logistics role with Emirates Team NZ competing for the Cup in San Francisco.
ROLE AT BIGFOOT Jessie will be playing a vital part in our team being the Logistic Coordinator. Already she has really taken the bull by its horns and got a firm grasp on everything. We look forward to what she will bring to the role.
think There
isn’t...
THERE is always A WAY!
-Jessie Lynskey
EXPERIENCES/FAVOURITES?
I asked Jessie to draw on a favourite experience with Team NZ, “seeing Camper winning the leg into Galway and celebrating, with what felt like the whole of Galway’s population. Pretty impressive considering the boat arrived at 3am”. “Generally speaking, I have loved being part of all the teams, where often I am put in a position where circumstances are not easy, but somehow you just have to make things happen.”
INTERESTS Speaking with Jessie about the outdoors we expected her to be one eyed towards sailing. “No, I actually am not a sailor. I love all outdoor activities, but I guess stand outs are things like mountain biking, skiing, running in the bush and just being in the sea! I am drawn to any little outdoor venture.” All the things Bigfoot do looks cool to me”!
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campprofile
HUNUA
Falls presbyterian CAMP Nestled in the Hunua’s
by Francesca Marcellino-Reed
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Nestled in the Hunua ranges and only a short 50 minute drive from Auckland city centre is Hunua Falls Presbyterian Camp. Enjoy the “remote forest park setting” in such a convenient location. This camp has a lot of fantastic activities both on and offsite. The venue is cost effective and is suitable for business groups, school groups and church groups. The Land was purchased in 1919 by the Presbyterian Church, giving congregations a place to go, being at the time a one day hike from Papakura. This private location exists to give the opportunity for New Zealanders to enjoy an affordable outdoor camping experience. The camp can accommodate 122 people, consisting of 22 comfortable bunk rooms sleeping either four or six. There is a separate commercial kitchen quarter which has its own room, sleeping up to six. The large dining hall connected to the kitchen has heating for the cold winter months. Onsite there is a chapel, seating 100 people, it is known for having amazing acoustics. They also have a large
camp field, confidence course, playground, a night time Burma Trail and a stream perfect for kayaking. All activities are available for use, and can be run by the groups themselves, or by Bigfoot Adventures. Bigfoot Adventures have been using the camp for over 14 years. We offer the running of activities or full camp management for ease of use and convenience. The additional activities we run are archery, mobile rock wall, kayaking, raft building, first aid, Bivouac building, team games, pancake races, mountain biking on our own portable course, and tramping and day-walks. If you choose to venture off site, there are many amazing tramps nearby, mountain biking at Mangatwahiri Dam, and of course, and the unforgettable Hunua Falls themselves, which are only a five minute walk away. If you are thinking of organising a school camp to give your students a memorable experience, then don’t hesitate to contact us on 0800 Bigfoot or contact the camp to reserve your dates at bookings@ presbyteriancamps.co.nz.
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bigfoot teams
IN ACTION winner of our Issue 1 Photo Competition was IAN McLEOD
PHOTO COMPETITION
Send us your activity photos - the winner for the best action photo will receive a $100 Bigfoot voucher. Competition entry closes on 16th May 2014, and the winner will be announced in our next issue.
hanging THERE
STUDENT navigation
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come ROLL with me
not a bad
day at the office
peak A boo
SNAP
which way from here?
Nothing better after a long day
ROAD Safety
It’s a
BUGS LIFE
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providerprofile
i
As one of New Zealand’s fastest
WAKA
ama If you are after some fast, furious and physical fun on the water with a group of your friends then WAKA AMA is for you! by Liz Tye
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growing
team
many keen paddlers today. Early
Waka
Ama
or
sports it is the epitome of
Outrigger
healthy competition - the
known as Va’a, and were the
camaraderie,
and
vessel of choice for the first
FUN that Waka Ama offers is
Polynesian voyagers who set
rapidly attracting people of all
out on the enduring passages
ages and abilities.
of discovery and played an
Especially the
fitness
so,
secondary
within schools
where competition is fierce and
squad
numbers
are
Canoes
were
intricate role in the livelihood of the pacific people. Hawaii was the site where contemporary
Waka
Ama
continuously building. But it’s
was born, with it being
not all only fun and games,
internationally
the sport is steeped in a long
as an official ‘sport’ in the
and proud history which is
1950’s, and New Zealand’s
carried through with today’s
first club being established in
paddlers who are bound by
Gisborne in 1985. Then, with
a ‘code of behaviour’ built
improvements in boat building
around decade-old traditions
techniques and materials such
and values that form the very
as fibreglass, the design and
solid foundation to Waka Ama
construction of the canoes
practice as we now know it. It is
improved vastly and the sport
this ‘power’ that has captured
really took off, with Auckland
the minds (and bodies) of
playing host to the World
recognised
Sprint Champs in 1990. 2002
the commercial “potential in
and water safety makes it an
This new venture aims to offer
saw the inaugural National
Outrigging due to the many
attractive fit with many objectives
both domestic and international
Secondary School competition
positive aspects it provided
of EOTC programmes within
travellers and corporate groups
kick off, and since then there
…. Physical benefits of a low
today’s schools.
a unique and authentic cultural
has been no turning back.
impact sport to the competitive
The Waka Ama that are used
experience set within the natural
The opportunity to get
nature of healthy competition,
in most Bigfoot Adventure
setting of a Marae. Martin
involved in Waka Ama is getting
Outrigger canoe has a lot to
programmes will generally take
wants to share with clients the
easier as the number of clubs,
offer”. The academy aims to
up to 10-12 students all within the
history and significance of the
schools and providers who are
provide training for clients from
same canoe, with the instructors
Maori Culture and the stories of
offering the experience is still
an entry level through to club
being either in the canoe
early Maori explorers, through
growing. Bigfoot Adventures
competency level, delivered
themselves with the students,
the experience of a paddling
has being incorporating Waka
via a progressive system which
or alternatively coaching from a
adventure made in either a Waka
Ama into their programmes for
teaches safety awareness skills,
safety boat running alongside.
Ama (Outrigger Canoe) or
almost six years now and enjoys
technique development and
This makes it an incredibly well
Waka Tete (smaller traditional
a great relationship with a
physical conditioning, all whilst
managed vehicle through which
Maori canoe).
number of providers, one being
experiencing the FUN that
the above elements can be
‘Outrigger Academy’ which
such an on-water sport like
experienced and taught, with
maybe Outrigger Academy
is a Rotorua based company
Waka Ama can offer!
there being no doubt that the
can
So
whoever guarantee
the a
client fantastic
owned and operated by Martin
Due to the stability of the
camaraderie and competition
experience on all fronts; cultural,
Helleur. Martin has many
Outrigger Canoe, Waka Ama
that students enjoy just can’t
physical, educational and most
years of paddling under his
is a safe and fun opportunity for
be beaten.
importantly FUN!
belt and has represented New
people of all abilities, including
Zealand at both a National and international level.
has
For more information either
those with disabilities, to get
recently added another feather to
contact us at Bigfoot Adventures
involved. The focus of teaching
their hat, ‘Outrigger Adventures’,
or check out Martins website
The academy was established
elements such as the promotion of
in an effort to expand business
www.outriggeracademy.co.nz
in 2007, after Martin recognised
team sport, cultural engagement
more into the tourism market.
Outrigger
Academy
bigfootactivityprofile
DUKEof Edinburgh Get out and enjoy the Challenge by Carmilla
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Bigfoot Adventures has become a popular choice for Auckland Secondary School students committed to achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Award. With the help of our team of experienced Duke of Ed Bush Craft instructors, our programme offers students a positive, engaging and fun pathway to achieve their Award.
b
Bigfoot Adventures provide a
We
offer
events
that
comprehensive introduction
cover all three stages of
to the great outdoors, where
the Adventurous Journey:
students are encouraged to take ownership of challenges such as route finding, camp craft and river crossing. As the awards progress, they have opportunities to build upon
these
foundations,
and to push their skills and confidence even further, until by the end of the journey they are taking leadership roles and assuming responsibilities on expeditions they have planned themselves. Our
programme
is
designed to align with the Award’s assessment criteria, and this, when paired with our very ‘hands on’ approach to teaching, makes our Duke
Training, Practice Journey and for Gold.
Qualifying Bronze,
Journey,
Silver
and
These can be run
either exclusively for the school, or students can book directly with us on one of our advertised dates online. Either way, participants are provided with a fantastic opportunity to meet other ‘like-minded’ students. New for 2014: re-vamped tramping Adventures for all awards, along with kayaking and rock climbing explorations for Gold level students. If you are interested in finding out more, contact
of Edinburgh programme a
Carmilla at Bigfoot Adventures:
valuable experience for all of
0800
those involved.
doe@bigfootadventures.co.nz
BIGFOOT
“Bigfoot
Adventures
provide a comprehensive introduction to the
GREAT OUTDOORS where students are encouraged to take ownership of challenges SUCH AS ROUTE FINDING,
camp craft & river crossing”
or
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GEAR review Hayley Dorward rates the equipment
the Mysto vs Frenzy
sitontops
When it comes to critiquing kayaks, I am about as novice as they come being the Office lady! So it was my mission recently to check out our potential new sit on top fleet of kayaks and give some feedback to Bigfoot. I also tend to be a bit of a princess when it comes to the weather but Castor Bay Beach was surprisingly warm despite the overcast day. To make matters worse, I was travelling with a bunch of boys/men whom I thought had intentions of tipping me out, so I made sure that they stayed well away from me!
14
t
The two types of Sit on Top
Google, and picking my fellow
that should you tip the boat,
kayaks we tested were a Mysto
colleagues brain, I think I have
you have to navigate your way
and a Frenzy. In addition to
worked it out.
out of the boat. There is also
these two, we took along one
Minnows are a recreational
the issue of taking on water,
of our “minnows� from our
kayak with a wide base and
should you find yourself in
existing fleet as a comparison.
usually used in flat water. They
rough sea.
Confused yet by all this kayak
have a bucket like seat and
jargon? I certainly was. So what
your legs sit inside the boat.
between
is a Minnow versus a Sit on
They are very stable and ideal
a sit on top? Visually the
Top? After much deliberation
for a beginner paddler like me.
differences are obvious. The
and some researching on
There is however the tradeoff
Sit on Tops are a boat where
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So what is the difference a
minnow
and
where space saving is crucial. The Mysto was described as an action packed Kayak that was compact and stable and easy to paddle. It was also noted to be great in the surf due to its twin thruster fins. In terms of transporting
the paddler does just that,
the padded extras.
sit on top versus the minnow
One of our staff made a
where you sit inside the kayak.
comment that they felt too
As mentioned above with the
“snug” in the Frenzy and
minnow, this means when you
wondered if you were a larger
tip your boat there is no issue
adult or student, the boat
with being stuck inside the boat
might feel too tight. They also
or having to bail out water.
wondered if being lower in the
The Frenzy had a shallow
seat compared to the Mysto, a
molded seat versus the Mysto
small child might find paddling
which had no molding at all
difficult as their paddle may hit
but had a canvas removable
the side of the kayak.
all parties who trialed the two options. I did a bit of a Google search and found myself rather confused. There are so many brands and types of kayaks including fishing kayaks, surf kayaks, family kayaks, touring
the kayaks down the beach
kayaks, diving kayaks and double
from trailer to the water, I was
kayaks to name a few.
surprised at how heavy kayaks are. It is definitely a two man job if you are a female unless you plan to drag one end along the sand, which I am told is common practice in kayaking. The Mysto had a removable plate on the
From
a
business
point
of view Bigfoot are aiming to purchase a kayak fleet that covers a wide range of activities and body shapes and sizes, whilst maintaining
bottom of the boat which took
a degree of challenge and
the load of the dragging.
stability. As a result of our trial
The benefit of this piece being removable is that when it gets worn down, it can be
padding that supported your
Both models were a slimmer
back. Some staff felt the
boat than the Minnow but they
padding was super comfortable
felt very stable. The Ocean
but from a business perspective
kayak website claims the Frenzy
I felt it was another thing
is the most popular sit on top
we would have to remove
kayak for families due its stability
and clean regularly and was something else that could easily get wear and tear and
shape of the boat meant that
The Mysto had a molded
need replacing and repairing.
if you had multiple kayaks that
handle at the front and rear of
Purchasing a padded seat for
you were trying to pack onto
the kayak that meant carrying
the Frenzy is also an option
a trailer, they fit together and
the boat down to the shore was
but it doesn’t come with this
would enable us to pack more
not difficult. The Frenzy had a
in the purchase price. I felt
kayaks in a smaller space. This is
similar idea but with the use of a
more than comfortable in the
also a benefit when it comes to
toggle like handle.
molded frenzy seat without
storing them in our warehouse
replaced as opposed to the boat itself getting worn in that area. The Frenzy did not have this removable plate but did have the added benefit of built in side
I believe both boats would offer us those options. So currently it’s a hung jury on which option ticks the most boxes for us. Both boats will be an awesome addition to our current fleet of Minnows and at
handles to help with transport. It
some point in the near future a
and because of its unique hull
also comes with a place to store
design it is great in the surf. The
decision will be made on which
your drink bottle.
fleet we will be purchasing.
So very mixed opinions from
If you are a keen kayaker and want to get your students exposed to this great activity, let us know and we will be more than happy to include the new fleet into your next EOTC program.
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Jonny Moncur
The World Outdoors Summit 2013
That’s us!
by Jonny Moncur
in the NEWS
H Hands
trembled
anticipation. laughter pockets
echoed the
The first line advanced.
Nervous
Then the second. Closely
from
followed by the entire horde!
crowd.
Who would make it down
Others stared intensely into
alive? People began to swerve
the night visualizing the
and shunt their way through
sequence of events about
the crowd. Those caught
to unfold. Fingers clasped
napping were forced wide
the handles of their chosen
and met their end careening
weapons, poised to attack…
off into the eerie darkness.
16
of
in
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350 delegates from the World Outdoors Summit and a more sizeable crowd from the New Zealand Recreation Association Conference converged on Mount Ngongotaha as the sun went down. One individual was destined for victory. The rest, unbeknown to them, would have their dreams dashed on the side of the hill that night.
Others were nudged into un-controllable gyrations or pinned in the turn and left to the mercy of the remaining mob. What better way to get up close and personal with complete strangers than to tussle cartto-cart on some of Rotorua’s finest concrete trails!
The remainder of the evening was occupied with food, beverages and tales of heroism, bravery & carnage. There was the classic moaner who was still ranting about the fact he’d been dealt the “slower cart.” The show pony who had been locked in a two-wheel drift for the entire descent. Not
I felt like time slowed down and I was actually taking in the things around me
not pinning it through the trees
with
at eye-watering speed
outdoor
adventure
trails but all of a sudden I was
activities but is also a Maori
looking at things in a different
Cultural hotspot.
light. We had a very genuine
Delegates
this totally changed my outlook
Maori
the
Powhiri.
Rotorua
with its boiling mud pools, sulphur stench and geysers provided a unique experience to travelling visitors. Many of
on riding in the forest & in future I will spend more time appreciating the place I am in
the workshops and seminars included how the outdoors is not only valuable but also
culturally
significant
to society. I
attended
enlightening to mention the bulldozer who took pride in clearing the track of dithering drivers by means of a nudge here and a shunt there. I ended up chatting to people I probably would never have approached had we not locked handlebars or had they not given my cart a healthy shunt. One particular park ranger cast a look of utter astonishment as my mere 65kgs accelerated away from his much healthier weighted cart. I had gained his instant respect and we chatted away soon after deliberating the impossibility of how I had somehow overcome the laws of physics that night. It probably sounds like I went down to Rotorua for a holiday. Well, I certainly enjoyed myself but despite popular belief I actually
received
true NZ welcome with a
a
very
workshop
attended some very insightful
entitled “Maori Bush Craft.”
workshops
discussed
I frequently visit Rotorua to
pressing issues in our outdoor
ride my mountain bike as it
industry
offers some of the best trail
and with
like-minded
individuals. The industry is undergoing a number of changes at present. Safety
management
is
certainly an area which is tightening up. Some would argue for the better, some for the worse. Whichever way, I found it refreshing to hear that despite the constriction of regulations we still value the contribution risk makes to our lives. We need to be exposed to risk to learn how to manage it. Controlling the level of exposure is the key for us as outdoor professionals. There couldn’t have been a better location for the summit. Rotorua is not only bursting
riding known to mankind. I was excited to attend a Maori Bush Craft workshop but the minute they mentioned bikes would be our mode of transport my excitement levels peaked. I was back to the hotel in a flash to collect my steed. As it turned out we rode through the sulfur plains (an area I had never taken my bike before) and upon arriving in the Redwoods were promptly shuttled to the top of the Whakarewarewa orest. This forest contains some
and professional Maori guide with us to share the stories of their ancestors, to explain the Whakapapa lines or family ties to the places through which we rode. I felt like time slowed down and I was actually taking in the things around me – not pinning it through the trees at eye-watering speed. This totally changed my outlook on riding in the forest and in future I will spend more time appreciating the place I am in and the vast historical and cultural significance that it encompasses. As always the Outdoor Awards and Gala Dinner was a great event to wind down to the end of the Summit. We would like to offer our congratulations to Bianca and the team at Potiki Adventures who were worthy recipients of the “Outdoors New Zealand Organisation of the Year Award” for 2013. All in all, I think Outdoor’s New Zealand did a great job of hosting the event. Participants were able to walk away having gained new
of my favourite trails. I was
ideas, new viewpoints, unique
soon to learn that this would
experiences and contacts in
be somewhat different to my
the outdoor industry.
usual rides. We rode the same
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“
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Adventure
is
worthwhile
18
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-Aristotle