Bigfoot Issue 3

issue3/june14

n o t h g i l t Spo C T O E r Safe s e m m a r g Pro Conquering Sea2Summit7 The Perfect Spot To Sta y Are You Brave Enough?

Climbing at Froggatt – NCEA Unit Standards

contents 5 6

8 10 12 14 16

MEET THE TEAM: Meet the Shamrock Queen

CAMP PROFILE: The Perfect Spot To Stay

BIGFOOT TEAMS IN ACTION: Photo Gallery

PROVIDER PROFILE: Are You Brave Enough?

BIGFOOT ACTIVITY PROFILE: Climbing at Froggatt – NCEA Unit Standards

GEAR REVIEW: Outdoor Stoves

IN THE NEWS: Conquering Sea2Summit7 with Dave Williams

SAFETY IN THE OUTDOORS: Spotlight on safer EOTC programmes

s

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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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: Rocking the Rock Climbing

from theeditor w

Wow it’s term two already and welcome to the third edition of the Bigfoot Magazine.

Term one flew past in a flurry of “busyness” as it always does at the home of Bigfoot. We had a very successful term and whilst things were extremely busy at times, I felt we managed exceptionally well this summer.

This was largely due to the combined efforts of some great staff here at Bigfoot HQ and a team of committed instructors whom did us proud. The weather was kind to us and the feedback from our camps has been very positive.

On reflection of term one, the words “long hours and lots of kilometres travelled” springs to mind but it also meant I was able to get around many of the camps and speak personally with many of the teachers and camp staff.

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To top off a big term, I was lucky enough to take a group of people paddling down the Whanganui River. This is the second year in a row we have run this job, but it was the first time we had our own personal chef, Sam CottrellDavies. The ‘whole sirloin fillet’ was a major hit and his elaborate cooking at the end of each of the five days of paddling was a winner. This was such a success we intend to continue with this format for future bookings and we are looking to repeat this program as much as possible with a variety of groups through our summers.

Last week we held our annual ‘post busy period’ debrief meeting in beautiful Mangawhai Heads. We spoke freely about the things that worked well and made notes on the things we felt

could be improved upon. I am particularly excited for the future of Bigfoot as there is some change afoot. We have recently welcomed Fiona Ryder to our team and she will be tweaking and fine tuning our current safety processes and then consulting to other companies to do the same for them. Watch out for her safety article in this edition as well as an article on Fiona herself, our new Shamrock Queen.

As for me, I am off to Queenstown for a short family getaway next week with some work thrown in along the way.

All the best for a wicked term two as we start to look at our winter programs around National Park and Mt Ruapehu.

Kris Bartley

“LIVE! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching FOR

NEW SENSATIONS. Be afraid of nothing.” - Oscar Wilde

MEET the team

w

shamrockQUEEN

by Hayley Dorward

What person studies a Bach-

ered her love of outdoors and

elor of Science and majors in

took time out of studies to

PE and Maths? Then jumps

gain multiple instructorships

on a plane and travels all the

in water and land pursuits.

way from Ireland at the age of

After

graduating

Fiona

28 to little old Auckland NZ,

tried her hand at PE teach-

having never been here be-

ing and continued instructing

fore? I call that both bold and

in the outdoors. But by the

brave, she called it naive. Wel-

age of 28 Fiona had reached

come to the Bigfoot Team,

a point in her life where she

Miss Bold, brave and no lon-

felt there were two options; to

ger naive, Fiona Ryder.

settle down, buy a house and

Born in the small rural vil-

live life the ‘Irish’ way, or take a

lage of Gortnagoyne (means

leap of faith and travel to New

‘field of wild geese’) in West

Zealand on the recommenda-

Ireland, Fiona grew up on a

tion of some friends.

dairy farm, approx. 40 min-

Always keen on a new chal-

utes out of the city of Galway.

lenge, Fiona landed on Kiwi

She went to school in the local

shores with only one ‘friend of

town of Dunmore, then onto

a friend’ to collect her at the

the University of Limerick.

airport. Within 10 days of be-

She enrolled in the Bachelor

ing here, she was employed at

of Science course majoring

Western Springs College as a

in the strange combination

mathematics teacher.

of both PE and Mathematics.

Battling homesickness, and

During this time, she discov-

knowing she must change

things in order to mentally succeed here, she soon quit her job, left her flat, put her things in storage and hired a yacht with friends for her first Xmas in NZ. They sailed the Marlborough Sounds, kayaked the Abel Tasman and sea kayaked at Akaroa. In true four leaf clover style, Fiona was offered a Sea Kayak Guide position at Akaroa and stayed for four months. Akaroa was a major turning point for Fiona and it fuelled her passion for the Kiwi culture and slowly but surely her homesickness ebbed away.

Fiona then joined Youthtown where she worked as Program Co-ordinator from 2008-2014.

Fiona has joined Bigfoot as our Program Manager and Safety Consultant to help propel our organisation into the next stage of growth. In an industry where ‘Safety in the Outdoors’ is only just beginning to find its true meaning here in New Zealand, Fiona will be looking after our bigger clients and developing our Safety Consultant program.

She was amazed at the lack

of outdoor processes and procedures in New Zealand despite being well known for its outdoor adventures. For a long time she believes Kiwis have gotten by with the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude. But times are changing and the massive changes in immigration over the past 10 years have seen a shift in the clientele attempting to take on the outdoors.

‘She’ll be right’ just isn’t good enough anymore and with Outdoors Mark becoming compulsory this year, Fiona will be making sure Bigfoot maintains its Outdoors Mark and continues growing within industry best practice standards. In addition to streamlining our own Safety standards, she will then be consulting to other outdoor companies assisting them to gain their Outdoors Mark in the future.

Fiona now sees New Zealand as home, and despite her persistent Irish accent, with her residency sorted, she is official Kiwiana. She is in the right place to enjoy her passion for sailing. Once again welcome to the team Fiona.

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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campprofile

perfect spot to stay THE

Located in one of New Zealand’s leading outdoor adventure locations, National Park Village, Pipers Lodge has plenty to offer.

by Jessie Lynskey

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www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

J

Just four hours from Auckland, Pipers Lodge is a great place for schools and anyone keen on the outdoors to feel like they are getting well out of the cityscape of Auckland, without it being a major. It is a favourite lodging for Bigfoot adventures to utilise when running camps in Tongariro National Park.

Aside from Pipers’ geographical location, it has plenty to be attracted to. Pipers can cater for groups as large as 140 or as intimate as you like.

Perfect for camps, it has bunk rooms consisting of four bunks as well as eight four person rooms with an ensuite for the adults and supervisors of the trip. Pipers Lodge includes catering, which is a real bonus when you want to cram as much outdoor activity in the day without having to worry about spending time on producing a nourishing meal at the end of it!

As well as catering and practical bunk rooms, Pipers have three spa pools for peo-

ple to ease into at the end of a physical day, perfect for those chilly temperatures in the winter months. After soaking in a spa pool people can chill their boots in the common/living area, where they will remain toasty by the roaring open fire. A good place to plan what fun is to be had the next day. Also there is a separate games room and dining area.

Pipers Lodge is the perfect location for an outdoor adventure camp, with a large cross section of activities at its doorstep. Just a few that we make use of here at Bigfoot, range from tramping the active volcanos in Tongariro National Park to mountain biking in the thick native bush along the Old Coach Road track from Ohakune or more locally in the Pines, exploring the dark Okupata Caves and rafting the raging or not so raging rapids in the area.

There are also snow sport options in the winter months.

If you want to mix some less physical camp activities, Pip-

camp ers have good connections in the area that Bigfoot have utilised before which have allowed us to run a few favourite activities such as archery, pancake race and indoor rock climbing, all within a walk from Pipers Lodge. We are not restricted to the above activities and have the ability to run more.

Bigfoot has been using Pipers for over 10 years, sometimes solely running activities for a school camp or running total camp management for schools. Either work as well as each other using Pipers as a

base. Bigfoot has a great relationship with Bruce and Dianne, who run Pipers, and they are incredibly generous to us.

This enables us to tailor the activities or a whole program to schools/groups specific needs.

If you are looking to run a camp in the National Park area, or any area, please do not hesitate to call or email us with an enquiry admin@bigfootadventures. co.nz, or call 09 444 1446. There are many parts of the country where Bigfoot Adventures have access to a place like Pipers Lodge which make a memorable camp very achievable.

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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bigfoot teams

IN ACTION Winner of our Issue 2 PHOTO COMPETITION was Karen Stimson

KAYAKING OMAHA

LOVING IT

Team WORK

The Pose

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PHOTO COMP

BIGFOOT art

blue BIRD

Send us your activity photos - the winner for the best action photo will receive a $50 RnR voucher.

Co m p e t i t i o n entry closes on Friday 25th July 2014, and the winner will be announced in our next issue.

cooking time

day

Gourmet Meal on the

Whanganui River

taking the scenic route

White Water NATURAL HIGH

surfs UP

ON ROAD Cycle Safety

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9

j AREyou providerprofile

brave enough?

Just because you’re breathing doesn’t mean you’re alive!

Words by Jonny Moncur Photos by Rafting New Zealand

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Just because you’re breathing doesn’t mean you’re alive!

This is the mantra of awardwinning rafting and adventure specialists Rafting New Zealand (RNZ). The key to their success is the fact they are not satisfied with just breathing.

They are totally dedicated to living a life less-ordinary! And not only that, but showing others how to do the same.

Read on and you will find out why Rafting New Zealand is New Zealand’s Most Awarded Rafting Business and the only choice for Bigfoot Adventure’s rafting trips.

If you are allergic to water they have a world-first 4D rafting adventure at their booking centre in Taupo.

Paddle down some of

New Zealand’s most scenic rivers, descend waterfalls and feel the rush of running rapids all from the comfort of your

special effects armchair!

You would be hard-pushed to

one of the coolest experiences

find two human beings more

I have had to date. The rapids

dedicated or passionate than

and white water were all part

Luke & Pianika Boddington

of the experience but not what

who manage a superb team

made it memorable for me. I

at RNZ headquarters. Rafting

can still remember the guide’s

New Zealand began in 1991 un-

cheeky grin, his hilarious jokes,

der the name of Rock’n’River

and his infectious personality.

Adventures. Pianika’s Father

He was one of those classic kiwi

Rod was one of the founders

blokes who instantly became

and clearly instilled a passion

everyone’s best friend. Return-

in his daughter to carry on the

ing as an employee of Bigfoot

family business. Perhaps this is

Adventures I was blown away

why RNZ feels so much more

to see that the passion and

like a family than a work place.

culture of the business was

They say that once you have

stronger than ever more than

completed a trip you are part

ten years on. Luke talks about

of the RNZ team for life. What

‘team spirit’ being an integral

a cool vibe!

ties in Turangi are state of the

fuelled environment. Students

art. They have even started a

not only have a blast but learn

preservation fund for the envi-

a great deal about themselves

ronment in which they operate.

and their classmates at the

They really do care. To prove

same time.

that they enjoy what they are

If you’re after a less devel-

doing they have a bunch of

opmental approach just jump

athletes taking on the gnarliest

onboard a fishing charter like

waterways around the globe

no other. You and your mates

carrying with them the Team

will be escorted by raft to all

RNZ name. That’s right, your

the best fly fishing spots. Or

guides are nothing short of

if rivers aren’t enough for you

professional athletes. The only

they complement their rafting

gripe I have heard so far in re-

adventures with hiking, skydiv-

gards to a river guide was that

ing, jet boating, sailing, scenic

he was too funny! Is that even

flights & flat water kayaking. If

possible? “That fulla was crack-

you are allergic to water they

up as!” exclaimed the student.

have a world-first 4D rafting ad-

“He was so crack-up that I

venture at their booking centre

couldn’t stop laughing and fell

in Taupo. Paddle down some of

out (of the boat).” Talk about

New Zealand’s most scenic riv-

shifting the blame!

ers, descend waterfalls and feel

RNZ offers a variety of trip

the rush of running rapids, all

options with grades (diffi-

from the comfort of your spe-

culty levels) to suit everyone,

cial effects armchair! Failing all

from family trips to multi-day

of this you simply cannot pass

part of their business, and be-

expedition rafting and kayak-

up the opportunity to sample a

I was fortunate enough to go

lieve me these guys have got

ing trips. The trips on which

heavenly cup of freshly brewed

on a rafting trip back in my high

it sorted! Their team spirit is

Bigfoot students embark are

espresso coffee.

school days. With ten years be-

worth bottling.

not only fun and exhilarating

So, quit fumbling around for

tween visits some of the finer

To have a trophy cabinet like

adventures but provide appro-

excuses cos there aren’t any.

details of the trip have faded

RNZ you need to go the extra

priate levels of challenge to ob-

Get yourself down to RNZ and

from my memory, yet it still

mile. RNZ go an extra five.

serve team work and commu-

find out what it feels like to re-

remains lodged in my brain as

Their equipment and facili-

nication at play in an adrenalin

ally be alive!

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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bigfootactivityprofile

Climbing atFROGGATT Bigfoot Adventures assess NCEA unit and achievement standards in rock climbing, mountain biking, white water kayaking, sea kayaking and tramping at a variety of locations around the North Island.

b

by Matt Cloonan

recently

ing Wall, a.k.a The Quarry.

enjoyed an awesome rock

This is a great place for an

climbing trip with Albany

introduction into rock climb-

Senior High. The purpose of

ing, as it’s a mere stone throw

the journey was for the out-

away from Auckland’s CBD.

door education students to

At The Quarry students can

be assessed for NCEA unit

experiment on a variety of

and achievement standards

climbs ranging from begin-

in their climbing ability and

ner to advanced, whilst hav-

knowledge. The assessment

ing the opportunity to grasp

covered rope work, commu-

the fundamentals in climbing

nication, belaying, and climb-

movement, knot tying, belay-

ing technique. The progress

ing, and communication. Af-

that these students made

ter The Quarry, the students

over the four days they were

had a couple of weeks for

with us was impressive to see.

some much-needed practice

Bigfoot started out with

before we met again at the

them at one of New Zealand’s

mecca of North Island rock

most historic crags, the Auck-

climbing, Froggatt Edge.

Bigfoot

staff

land Grammar Rock Climb-

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www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

Froggatt is the ideal place

As an outdoor

education provider, IT IS PROMISING to see students taking up the challenge and being inspired

by future prospects.

to transfer indoor climbing experience into the outdoors and to really come to grips with climbing on real rock.

The students started off a bit rusty (which is usually the case with any group), but by the third day they were super solid! Belaying and knot tying was slick, and their communication impeccable.

With all these bases covered, each student was then able to focus on pushing the envelope. This was really inspiring to see, as with such a limited amount of climbing

experience these students were already demonstrating attributes held by accomplished climbers.

It’s fair to say that a great time was had by all. As an outdoor education provider, it is promising to see students taking up the challenge and being inspired by future prospects. We know these students will go far.

If you would like to know more about NCEA unit and achievement standard assessment, please email Kris at Kris@bigfootadventures.co.nz

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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GEAR review

by Sam Cottrell-Davies

OutdoorStoves

Unless you are planning on cooking over a fire, a camp stove is an essential piece of gear if you are entering the outdoors. But which one is right for you? Here we review three different cookers, detail their merits and highlight their flaws.

F

First of all you need to de-

termine what you will be using the stove for. If you are embarking on one-off overnight trips you can get away with a cheap ‘direct mounted’ design (see Furno stove). However, if your stove will be battling the elements for days on end, year after year, a more durable option is what you need.

Furno 360 Degree Stove Price: $40 (Bivouac) Weight: 99g Gas type: Butane/Propane compressed canisters This is your entry-level stove. This cooker is undoubtedly the most common among Kiwi back packers. For a very reasonable price they offer a lightweight and compact cooking option.

Pros • Quick and easy to set up: simply screw onto butane canister* • Reasonable price • Adjustable strength allows for simmer control • Ultra light weight Cons • Unstable cooking surface Pots sit high above the ground, with minimal stability.

• Low durability • Operates poorly in cold conditions Verdict This stove is best suited to an individual who occasionally heads into the wilderness. The instability of this design really detracts from their adequacy to use with students, creating a potential for pots of water to spill and burn. While the price is attractive, the longevity of the product must be taken into account. If you were after a stove for an overnight tramping trip this one would be great. However, if you’re running an Outdoor Education department in a school or you own a company looking to invest in gear for the long-term, then this is not the stove for you. *See safety instructions for correct fitting.

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Outer Limits Huntsman Stove Price: $80 (Bivouac) Weight: 246g Gas type: Butane/Propane compressed canisters This design is a winner in my eyes. It incorporates the ease of use and affordability of the above stove. However, it combats the instability issue by way of a hose attachment, providing a very low and stable base to cook on.

Pros • Quick and easy to set up. Simply screw onto butane canister * • Stable cooktop • Ignition switch - no need for matches • Simmer control Cons • Larger unit to carry around • Ignition switch will inevitably fail you • Non-repairable in the field – if for example the hose breaks • Operates poorly in cold conditions Verdict This is a solid unit and would make a fine addition to anyone’s gear list. The stability offered by having the cooker low to the ground is great. It provides piece of mind if you are facilitating novice cooking groups. The price is very reasonable. Looked after well you could expect a fair amount of use out of this cooker. *See safety instructions below for correct fitting

MSR Whisperlite Price: $200 + $50 for essential fuel canister (Living Simply) Weight: 410g Gas type: Liquid fuel – white spirits. Refillable container Scary price isn’t it! But before you rule out the Whisperlite let’s see if it can be justified. This design has been left almost unchanged since 1982. Undoubtedly it has been put through some vigorous tests and still remains the weapon of choice for the expeditionary, wilderness enthusiast. The design allows for full repairs and maintenance to be conducted by the owner, provides a great learning opportunity for students and creates a stove that, if looked after, will keep on going and going.

Pros • Super durable • Repairable design • Liquid fuel option better for environment i.e. no piles of half-full butane canisters • Wind shield • Very stable • Operates well in cold conditions Cons • Difficult to set up and use: requires priming (pressurising fuel) and fiddly ignition process.

• Expensive Verdict A tried and true design ideal for those wanting longevity and durability. Whilst these stoves are expensive they will last the distance if you do a significant amount of cooking. Money will be recuperated eventually through lack of replacement and a cheaper fuel source. Although the Whisperlite does pose some significant hurdles for young students it could be argued that the educational opportunities associated with learning to handle these cookers safely could in fact outweigh the risks.

*All compressed gas burners require the stove to be screwed onto the fuel canister. Ensure when doing this it is not being crossthreaded, as this can result in gas leaking from the valve and potentially combusting the canister.

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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Conquering Sea2Summit7 with Dave Williams Words by Francesca Marcellino-Reed Photos by Dave Williams

in the NEWS

H

While on a personal trip

“My life recently came

up Mt Taranaki, Dave’s Sea-

to a cross road where I was

2Summit7 dream was ignited

desperately searching for a

- to be the first person to

fresh adventure that would

climb the highest mountain

see me both travel the world

in every continent beginning

and test my limits.” Dave

from sea level. He will run,

Williams.

climb, crawl or walk from the

Thus far Dave has success-

nearest feasible coast line to

fully ticked off Mt Kiliman-

each summit.

jaro in Tanzania, which in-

16

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

Dave Williams, or Mr. Williams to his students, is an Outdoor Education teacher at Edgewater College. After completing the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation and Leadership and a Degree in Sport and Recreation at AUT University, Dave decided to become a school teacher as he wanted to form a closer relationship with the students he was taking into the outdoors.

volved a mammoth effort of nine consecutive marathons, as well as Mt Kosciuszko in Australia. The remaining mountains include Mt Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Mt Elbrus in Russia, Denali (Mt McKinley) in Alaska, and Mt Everest in Nepal. He needs to return to Mt Aconcagua

in Argentina as his first attempt to summit was unsuccessful due to weather conditions. A tough but crucial decision was made to turn back just short of the summit, however he is returning again in January 2015 for a second attempt.

So what is the driving force

finished that day. That night an anonymous donation came through for the cause which reminded him that what he was doing was not just about him and his emotions. People were following

behind this madness? What keeps him going? Other than the obvious achievement of being the first person to accomplish it, Dave’s drive is to raise $100,000 and awareness for male mental health in New Zealand. The cause being very close to his heart as he has lost a few friends to this serious issue.

Spending days alone with only your thoughts keeping you company, motivation to carry on is a major challenge. Dave’s toughest mental challenge so far came in

Tanzania while climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. After completing his 4th Marathon, the realisation that there were still another five to go, matched with the brutal heat and dryness, long straight roads and having seen nothing for the last three days, the gravity of the task ahead began to weigh him down. He started walking, almost stopping and sitting down, until realising that he was in the middle of Africa (so couldn’t stop anyway). He picked himself up and kept going until he

his progress and willing him on from a distance - that is what made him keep going.

“Gear can save your life” says Dave. Sponsored by Bivouac, Dave is supplied with the latest equipment which he says is essential.

This not only means hardware but more importantly the correct fuel for his body.

After collapsing on the side of the road in Africa following a 56km day carrying 23kg on his back, and a local woman dragging him into her car, this experience was a big lesson for Dave. When doing consecutive days of endurance the body must be number one, it’s all about physical preservation. During his summit attempts Dave takes USANA supplements.

These supplements support his general diet; for example in Africa his diet consisted of bread, goat and tomatoes.

He needs the supplements to keep his body going. In the harsh climates that he’ll

be embarking, keeping hydrated is essential, as well as taking any steps possible to reduce the severe impact of his endeavours, like running during the night to avoid the harsh heat of the day and making sure he is taking enough electrolytes so he doesn’t dehydrate. All this learning and new knowledge will enable him to complete the bigger climbs.

His biggest and hardest climb will be Everest, a summit that Dave will be doing solo.

His goal is to raise enough funds to get to Nepal in two years’ time, and his preparation for this will be intense, starting with making sure he is in the right mental state.

Dave’s next box to be ticked off is in Russia on the 26th June, conquering Mt Elbrus.

He estimates this will take him 3 ½ weeks and you can track his progress on his website as he posts blogs and photos on route. If you would like to donate money to his cause “Male Mental Health” this can also be done on this website. Bigfoot Adventures wishes Dave all the very best with his next challenge on Mt Elbrus, and for his quest to conquer the highest summits in every continent.

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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safetyintheoutdoors

spotlight

ONsafer EOTC programmes The 2011 Adventure Regulations have provided excellent impetus for providers like Bigfoot Adventures to review and improve their safety management systems. The development of a safety quality mark, namely ‘Outdoors Mark’ is the current benchmark for providers around safer delivery of activities.

I

by Fiona Ryder

If any of you have been watching the news or in particular TV3’s current affairs programme ‘3rd Degree’, you will be very familiar with the shakeup in the Adventure Industry with regard to safety.

While the shakeup is primarily aimed at the tourism industry, leaders of school groups and private groups intending to get out in our beautiful, adventurous Aotearoa should also be aware of the improvements and changes happening for adventure activities.

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www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

It certainly is a very exciting and proud time for outdoor education as we collectively and consciously work towards quality outdoor education outcomes with a high focus on preventable incidents. Schools and group leaders now more than ever need to be a part of this.

While principals and boards have always held a duty of care to safeguard their staff and students from preventable harm, today the board are ultimately responsible for the safety of their staff and students.

However, this is not a scare tactic by any means. It simply ensures that due diligence is taken when engaging with any person or provider to deliver adventure activities. This is easily achieved by demonstrating that all practicable steps are taken to ensure the environment and facilities, equipment and correct use of, instructors and leaders plus participant information have all met acceptable industry standards and that correct policies and procedures are followed.

It certainly is aandvery exciting proud time for

outdoor education as

we collectively and consciously work towards quality

quality outdoor education outcomes

with a high focus on preventable incidents

With regards to EOTC, ensuring that your provider has their safety audit is a great starting point. The deadline for passing this audit and registering with the Government (MBIE) is 1st November this year. So as of November, a school should reconsider using any provider that is not registered, or at least get an

understanding of how the provider is working towards this. It is only fair to say at this point, that a back log of audits due for completion may be the sole reason that your provider is not registered. In either case – registered or not – due diligence should involve taking the extra time to vet their safety management

systems. It may pay to engage an expert in the activity or programme to support in the vetting process.

Bigfoot Adventures, as leaders in delivery of quality outdoor education programmes, passed our safety audit in 2011 and continue to improve our systems each year. This is a valuable exercise for any provider delivering outdoor education.

Schools delivering a dedicated outdoor programme can also avail of the safety audit to improve and gain an independent review of their systems.

Bigfoot Adventures can support a school wishing to gain

the ‘Outdoor Mark’ safety audit. We are also happy to support any provider a school wishes to use that has not yet completed their audit or registered with the government.

The list of current registered providers can be found here.

As long as group leaders are careful and thorough in planning and following procedures, risk should be minimised and no serious harm is probable. And this is ultimately what we all want – fun adventurous learning outcomes with successful risk management.

For more information, contact Fiona@bigfootadventures.co.nz.

Other useful links are: http://eotc.tki.org.nz http://eotc.tki.org.nz/EOTC-home/For-boardsand-principals http://www.supportadventure.co.nz/ http://www.adventuresmart.org.nz/ http://www.eonz.org.nz/

www.bigfootadventures.co.nz

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“

HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED TO

Bigfoot Magazine?

It’s free!

Life is like

riding a bicycle

TO KEEP your balance

you must keep moving - Albert Einstein

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