LEARNING NEW SKILLS TOGETHER, ONE STEP AT A TIME
by Sarah Pye
She stands in water up to her waist, face a mask of concentration, gazing into the not-too-distant future. There’s a mixture of fear and adrenalin glinting in her eyes. On her head, a yellow helmet betrays the potential danger ahead and her arm is wrapped around a huge black inner tube. In seconds she will launch into its donut-hole like interior and paddle frantically backwards to position herself down the chute.
We are at Nymboida Canoe Centre at the pointy end of a learning experience which has taken several months and a couple of holidays. Amber saw a picture of me white water rafting one day. “I would love to do that!” she said. So, we set a timeless goal to do it together some day.
Our learning experience was taken in steps. Like the “wax on, wax off” of Karate Kid (yes I know I am dating myself), many of them took us closer to our goal without Amber knowing that’s what we were doing. I conspired to put her in situations where she would learn the necessary skills to make this pipe dream a reality. What I didn’t realise was learning new skills together on holidays and weekend getaways was going to turn out to be far more fun than I had ever imagined!
Educational and learning holidays are all the rage and a growing niche market for tourism operators. Many create packages to accomplish what Amber and I have done on our own. It doesn’t matter if you plan it alone, like we did, or sign up for an organised program, learning holidays with your kids really are a great way to go. By example and osmosis, kids discover learning can be a life-long journey and there are just as many learning experiences outside of a classroom than in.
In this case, our goal was to canoe down white water. It seemed unachievable at first yet, taking it step by step, we are now three quarters of the way there.
Step 1: Acclimatise to water adventure in a safe environment
It was Amber’s birthday and, at age 10, White Water World beckoned. We invited two school friends (and a few parents) and set off in search of adventure. What a fantastic day we had sliding down tunnels, slopping from side to side in The Tornado and floating down the man-made river on an inflated tube. The inherent fear of water disintegrated and an excitement took its place. “That was the best day ever!” she said as we dragged our weary bodies through the parking lot at the end of the day. Step one was complete.
Step 2: Learn the basics of kayaking
Although Amber and I own a sit-on-top kayak, we didn’t have the skills with the sit in variety, most importantly the ability to get out, and Eskimo role if we were upside down in rapids. A little research uncovered a wonderful operation on the Gold Coast called Kayak Sports. Owner Mark offers a three-hour kayak skills lesson on the flat, fresh waters of Hugh Muntz Lake. Not only is this lake safe from dangerous sea creatures, but it’s free from motorised water craft and therefore a wonderful learning platform.
Mark met Amber and me at a park on the lake bank. We unloaded funny looking stunted kayaks and carried them down to the water’s edge. First step was practising getting in. Once mastered, the second step was trying to paddle in a straight line which was deceptively difficult. We kayaked around the lake until we were comfortable then returned to shallow water to learn exit and rescue techniques.
Here the fun began. First we became comfortable capsizing and exiting by pulling the cord on the spray deck (I had to remember not to call it a ‘skirt’ because Mark found that an offence to his masculinity). Next came rescue techniques. We learned to right each other’s kayak while still in our own which was quite a feat, then came the feared Eskimo Roll (which is not always part of the lesson). Amber had said “I’ll do all the rest, but not that,” but by the time we got there she didn’t take much cajoling by expert Mark. Wouldn’t you know it, she was far more proficient than I, and mastered the technique in minutes using extra floatation on her paddle (rather like training wheels!). Step two was complete.
Step 3: Become familiar on white water
A long weekend was looming and the white water of Nymboida River beckoned. About half an hour’s drive south of Grafton in New South Wales, this delightful, narrow river offers a range of relatively easy rapids and an extensive campsite along its bank. With basic amenities, campfire pits, the ability to bring dogs and exceptionally friendly staff, this place is a rare find.
We arrived later than planned and wandered around looking for manager Rob. We found him by the cabins, welcoming youths who had arrived for the NSW School Kayak championships. We had thought this event might mean we would fight for a camping spot, but couldn’t have been more wrong – this campsite is so extensive it’s almost possible to lose yourself. What it DID do was give us a wonderful opportunity to see experts in action.
Once the tent trailer was up we were keen to get wet and Rob handed us our helmets and fitted us into inner tubes (bet you didn’t know you need the right size!). He then took time to teach us how to launch, back up in the current and survive capsizing in rapids. Then we were off with the warning “Don’t forget to get out before the Tennis Court”. This huge rapid loomed dead centre in the navigable river and was definitely a ‘no go’ zone.
First we attempted one rapid at a time, pulled over in an eddy and caught our breath and giggles but it wasn’t long before we (more by accident than design) traversed several in one go. By day two we were launching downstream of the Tennis Court and laughing non-stop all the way to the downstream end of the course, walking a kilometre back and doing it again… and again. I can’t describe how much fun we had!
Step 4: Combine all our skills together
The next step in our goal was taking a sit-on-top kayak down the white water. On our third and last day at Nymboida we tried it, but found we were more comfortable with tubing, so this adventure is still ahead. Who knows, once the weather warms up, this might be our next challenge.
Holidays like this one are a metaphor for life. Taking large, daunting goals and breaking them into achievable chunks can lessen fear, build up skills over time and eventually make the difference between achieving a goal, or stumbling at the starting blocks. It works for adults, and it works equally as well for kids. Not only that, but learning new skills together instils a life-long desire to learn and cements your relationship. Just remember to take it slow, don’t push kids too hard, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes together.
Baby steps to reaching holiday goals
Learn to ride a horse
Step 1: Become comfortable around horses at Myella Farm Stay, Baralaba. Visit: www.myella.com
Step 2: Join a led trail ride at Thunderbird Park, Mount Tamborine. Visit: www.thunderbirdpark.com
Step 3: Try a longer ride at Kiah Park, Gympie. Visit: www.kiahpark.com.au. Or Numinbah Valley Trail Rides, Gold Coast Hinterland. Visit: www.numinbahtrails.com.
Step 4: Progress to a real Aussie experience on an overnight trek with Clip Clop Treks along the North Shore in Noosa. Visit: www.clipcloptreks.com.au
Swim with dolphins
Step 1: Hand-feed dolphins at Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island. Visit: www.tangalooma.com
Step 2: Take a Junior Dolphin Encounter at the Pet Porpoise Pool in Coffs Harbour and swim with a dolphin and trainer in a controlled environment. Visit: www.petporpoisepool.com
Step 3: Swim with dolphins in the wild in New Zealand. Visit: www.dolphinencounter.co.nz
Learn to cook together
Step 1: Encourage your kids to help stir and lick the spoons!
Step 2: Buy a kids’ cookbook and tackle a real recipe together
Step 3: Enrol in the Chocolate Cooking Class at Nutworks in Yandina. Visit: www.nutworks.com.au
Step 4: Develop your skills at Buderim Ginger Cooking School. Visit: www.buderimgingercookingschool.com.au
Fossick for gems together
Step 1: Start at the Scratch Patch at Opals Down Under, searching for polished rocks. Visit: www.opalsdownunder.com.au
Step 2: Dig for thunder eggs at Thunderbird Park in Tamborine Mountain. Visit: www.thunderbirdpark.com.au
Step 3: Take a camping trip to Rubyvale or Anake and learn how to search for sapphires at Pat’s Gems. Phone: 4985 4544
Step 4: Camp in the middle of the outback opal fields at Opalton in central Queensland and find opals in your own ‘backyard’.
Want to know more?
Kayak Sports offers special kids’ kayak skills lessons every morning during school holidays. The three-hour session teaches paddle stroke technique, self rescue and team rescue on the same calm lake where Amber and I learned. Cost is only $20 per child. For more information phone Mark on 0448 422 663 or visit: www.kayaksports.com.au
Nymboida Canoe Centre is a not-for-profit organisation and rates are very reasonable. Camping costs $6 for children and $8 per night for adults. Tube hire is under $20 for a family of four for a day. Visit: www.nymboidacanoecentre.com
Wet ‘n’ Wild is located on Gold Coast. Tickets start at $32.95 for children and $49.95 for adults, but family rates and specials are available. Visit: wetnwild.myfun.com.au
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