Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group’s new Scout Standard Cutters participated in the 48th Alistair Kerr Spring Regatta at Lake Nga Roto in early September. Scouts rowed and sailed the new cutters, purchased with support from Frontier Estates and Pragma Homes, at the regatta on September 8. The Scout group is the only one on the western banks of the Waikato River and off ers sea Scouting opportunities every Tuesday night on Lake Rotoroa in Terms 4 and 1.
Scouts learn to row and sail cutters, 3.5 metre centreboard Sunburst sailing dinghys, and paddle kayaks. The group was one of 14 participating in the regatta that included around 200 Scouts and Kaiarahi (leaders). Scouts Aotearoa National Commissioner Raani Kelderman travelled to the event from Auckland. “The spring regatta was a fantastic day out,” she said.
“I was impressed to see so many people braving the overcast weather to experience their first dip in the water. This was my first full day regatta, and I was so proud to watch our older youth epitomising the principles of tuakana teina by taking the younger kids out in the boats and teaching them how to row and sail. I, myself joined such a crew and alongside the 11-yearolds learnt heaps including how to tack. My boat might have come close to last place, but some of our more experienced youth crews were absolutely speeding along and who knows.. we might even have the next Peter Burling hidden in amongst the crowd.”
Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group is one of the largest and fastest growing Scout groups in Aotearoa New Zealand. The group welcomes members between the ages of fi ve and 26 and all genders, ethnicities, and religions. Adventure Skills help Kea, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers gain the skills they need to participate in, assist and lead adventurous experiences. The Kea Section meets Wednesdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The Cub Section meets Mondays from 6pm to 7.30pm. The Scout Section meets Tuesdays. The Venturer Section meets Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm.