R.Tucker Thompson sets sail

The second annual Te Tai Tokerau Tall Ship Challenge is underway with a group of Northland secondary school students on board competing for the title of champion.

Two students each from six Northland schools are doing their best to demonstrate their knowledge of “Safety at Sea” – the theme for this year’s challenge – while also striving to reveal outstanding leadership and teamwork aboard the R.Tucker Thompson.

Challenge sponsors, Northpower and Top Energy, say that encouraging safety amongst our future leaders is important.

As part of the Tall Ship Challenge students had to submit an essay, poem or picture with their entry, demonstrating their understanding of the importance of safety in the maritime environment.

While at sea, points are awarded for daily challenges. Each night the team points are totalled and leader declared. Daily challenges include:
• First team in the water
• First team around the ship for designated laps
• Sail setting/striking/furling, physical challenge in the morning (hill climb/run/swim back to ship, races, brain teasers on board/ashore etc)
• Tidy bunks (spot check at random time of day)
• Lesson challenges/quiz (safety drills, navigation, anchoring etc)
• Outstanding completion of chores - daily award to best school
• General teamwork - daily award to team that has worked best together

There are extra awards for additional assignments such as bread making and shanty writing (performed when the ship gets in), so that it is not just a test of fitness or strength. In fact the key item being judged is leadership and teamwork, while maintaining a safe environment in all challenges presented.

Updates from the schools are on the ship’s blog, accessible via Twitter, Facebook or from the home page of the R.Tucker Thompson website (http://www.tucker.co.nz).

Jane Hindle, Executive Trustee of the R.Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust, is encouraging schools and parents to get in behind their team and support them on their challenge by tracking their progress online.

The adventure departed Marsden Cove on Friday (May 13) and arrives at Opua on May 19. Depending on weather, the voyage will follow the East Coast, stop in Whangamumu and round Piercy Island (the Hole in the Rock) along the way.

In all, six schools are competing for the title - Whangarei Boys School (Northpower), Bream Bay College (Northpower), Kamo High School (Northpower), Kaitaia College (Top Energy), Opononi Area School (Top Energy), Okaihau College (sponsored by Mates of the Tucker).

Last year's winner was Bream Bay College, while Opononi Area School is competing for the second time also.

ENDS

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