Scouts Aotearoa national commissioner Raani Kelderman called it a fantastic ice breaker.
Scouts paddle kayaks cutters at the 48th Alastair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta. Photo: Becky’s Photography
More than 200 scouts and kaiārahi (leaders) from 14 scout groups in the upper North Island region started the boating season with the 48th Alistair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta at Lake Ngā Roto on Saturday.
Boating, paddling (kayaking) and water safety are three of the adventure skills offered to all youth members by the Scouts Aotearoa Youth Programme. Not just the traditional Sea Scout groups.
Scouts row cutters at the 48th Alastair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta. Photo: Becky’s Photography.
Youth competed in Sunbursts, Scout Standard Cutters and kayaks in junior, intermediate and senior races.
Regattas are typically highly competitive events, but the late Kerr had a different vision in 1972. He wanted to start the season with a fun get together where scouts could learn from their mistakes with no pressure to win.
Kerr’s son Roddy, a scout when the regatta started, attended the event.
Kelderman, who travelled from Auckland for the event, said: “We had over 170 youth out on the water, with many of the juniors learning the ropes for the first time!”
“The Spring regatta was a fantastic day out. 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.
The 48th Alastair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta bird eye view
“I, myself joined such a crew and alongside the 11-year-olds 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.”
She thanked Ngā Roto Sailing Club for hosting the event alongside its Brass Monkey event, and the Waikato team led by zone water activities advisor Dave Smith for organising the event.
Shakleton Sea Scout Group travelled the furthest for the event, arriving late Friday from Whangarei and leaving early Sunday.
Patrol safety boat keeps vigil at the 48th Alastair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta. Photo: Becky’s Photography
Ngā Roto hosted more than 200 scouts on the water over the weekend. Photo: Becky Payne.
The 48th Alastair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta
