Ten participants paddled into Governor General's Youth Award (GGYA) history following a successful four-day kayaking adventure last Thursday, when they circumnavigated New Providence covering nine miles a day. Seven students from Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) and three from Lucayan International School (LIS) in Grand Bahama, became the first participants of the GGYA to complete the gold-qualifying kayaking expedition. Three teachers accompanied the students, and a rescue vessel remained on standby during the adventurous journey.
The sea was calm, and the sky overcast, as the group pushed off from Montagu Beach around 8 a.m. Thursday. Throughout the trip they remained visible from shore. The kayaking adventure was a journey for which they were well equipped. The group completed two practices -- one in New Providence, the second in Grand Bahama.
"The first practice involved one full day of kayaking from Lyford Cay around Simm's Point to the south end of Clifton Heritage Park," said David Mindorff, LCIS head of secondary school and academics. "We then did two days of work together as a team in Clifton Heritage Park cutting a bird watching trail, clearing stumps in an area planned for a petting zoo and rebuilding a stone wall."
For the second practice, the LCIS students travelled to Freeport, to team up with LIS. Over the course of several days, they paddled around the canal, got stuck on mud flats, searched for an elusive blue hole, explored a mangrove swamp, got soaked by enormous wave and generally had an exciting time. Their plan for the actual journey circumnavigating New Providence had them covering approximately nine miles a day, according to Mindorff. On one of the days in Grand Bahama they completed 20 so Mindorff and the GGYA participants were confident that nine miles a day was a reasonable day's work.
The group made camp at various coastal sites around New Providence. The trip wrapped up Sunday at Montagu Beach, a day earlier than planned.
"They did very well," said GGYA executive director, Denise Mortimer. "The only difficulty were the seven-foot waves around Cable Beach between Baha Mar and Goodman's Bay, and when they tried to go through the harbor, they were stopped and waited at the Hilton Beach for us to get clearance. Otherwise a great experience for all," she said.
The Gold Award takes a minimum of 12 months for Silver recipients working in three cornerstones areas -- service, skill and physical recreation. Participants must complete an adventurous journey spanning four days and three nights.
"Our first kayaking gold qualifying expedition demonstrates that there are other types of adventurous exploration available to our participants. This is a dynamic program," said Mortimer.
She said that units had kayaked before, but never for the entire duration of an adventurous journey. Other units are free to do something similar, however, participants would have to underwrite their own costs. Thanks to a partnership between the GGYA and the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, the youth program is able to attract more participants across the length and breadth of The Bahamas. Looking back to the start of their expedition, it took around 45 minutes for the group to prepare their boats and cargo, and review safety instructions.
Zoe Brown, 16, from LCIS utilized the time to calm her nerves and rationalize the benefits of the journey. Prior to setting out she admitted to being nervous, but she said she hoped the experience would make her a better kayaker and that she would make new friends. She wasn't the only one a wee bit apprehensive heading out. LCIS student Michael Mindorff for whom sibling rivalry was a powerful motivator, had said he was nervous about the weather and the waves, as they had discovered that as they planned that things changed from day-to-day.
"My older brother did his Gold Award and I can't let him outdo me. My younger brother is doing Bronze this year. It's a family thing," he said. "My teacher told me we will be very proud of ourselves if we can complete this. I am looking forward to the feeling of success."
The thought of soaking wet clothes, tired muscles and aching ligaments didn't faze Luke Brown of LCIS as he prepared to head out.
"I'm a rower and have two years doing that, so I think I can handle this kayak trip. I love the water, love to be on the water with my friends," said the 16-year-old.
He felt that the typical hiking expedition, synonymous with GGYA, was tougher than kayaking.
"Out on the water it's cooler and I can splash water on my face to cool down. I love it," said Brown. "I'm going to be pretty proud of myself when I finish."
The students who paddled to success
Matthieu Boeuf
Jett Brookes
Zoe Brown
Gabrielle Hollaender
Tiera Ndlovu
Michael Mindorff
Luke Pyfrom
Jose Renteria
Jana Ward
Benjamin Willoch
The leaders
David Mindorff
Ian Brooke
Sylvia Bateman
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
