SIX teenagers training for a self-sufficient expedition to Vancouver Island, Canada, in July prepared themselves with a tough four-day circumnavigation of the Isle of Man.
The team kayaked 85 miles of challenging Manx coastline, facing force four and five winds, carrying all their own food and equipment.
Each of the six are precipitating the youth scholarship, development and leadership programme, a scheme run by outdoor activity company Adventurous Experiences, which sees places offered to Year 12 students (age 16 to 17) who have the dedication and drive to undertake 18 months of vigorous training in sea kayaking, mountain walking, coasteering, rock climbing, navigation, teamwork and expedition planning.
Their efforts were spurred on by the achievement in March of one of the programme leaders, George Shaw, who broke the record for circumnavigating the Isle of Man with a time of 13 hours 33 minutes, beating the previous record by 34 minutes.
The youth programme is funded by Adventurous Experiences Corporate Team Building and Events, which aims to improve the level of outdoor skills and safety on the island.
Of the 29 students who signed up in January, only the six – Kim Tastagh from Queen Elizabeth II High School, Sarah Reeday and Leon Landels from Castle Rushen High School, Henry Swithinbank from Ramsey Grammar School and Matthew Caley and Conor Dangerfield from Ballakermeen High School – will progress to complete the programme by travelling to Vancouver Island, the only aspect of the scheme students need to contribute funds towards.
Expedition leaders Sam Murphy and Rebecca Goodson have both come through the Youth Scholarship Programme themselves, before joining the Adventurous Experiences coaching team.
Secondary schools on the island will be contacted this autumn to give pupils the opportunity to sign up to next year’s programme, culminating in the eighth oversees expedition, to Haida Gwaii, an archipelago on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada, in 2014.
www.adventurousexperiences.com/about-us/youth-scholarship.aspx