Capturing the true spirit of young Kiwis

Trainees on the Spirit of Adventure ship. Photo / Supplied

Alison Shanks has stood on the dais to receive world championship and Commonwealth Games gold medals. But she remembers just as vividly standing at the helm of the Spirit of New Zealand.

The iconic yacht, which will sail during Auckland's Anniversary Day celebrations, has a special place in Shanks' heart - as she is now the Spirit of Adventure Trust's ambassador.

Shanks enthusiastically talks of her most memorable experiences of a voyage undertaken in her teenage years.

Each year Spirit of Adventure Trust takes more than 1,500 young Kiwis on a voyage of a lifetime - facing challenges, setting new directions, achieving goals, experiencing success and learning to navigate their lives.

A youth development voyage brings 40 young people together for 10 days, without their mobile phones, iPods, email or internet access. On board the ship, there's no room for luxuries or multiple changes of clothes, and no hot showers or the usual comforts of home.

So why do almost all of the youth who participate insist that these were the best days of their life?

"You know, whenever someone mentions the Spirit to me I get completely compelled just to tell them about my experiences," says Shanks. "My voyage went from Dunedin, my home-town and up the coast. We anchored in Lyttelton, then carried on up into Picton.

"The first thing that pops into my head was the sea-sickness. The first two days were incredible - going up the coast, every single member of the voyage was sick. And we lived on cabin bread, which is what they fed us for a couple of days to help with our surging stomachs.

"I felt like I had conquered something in itself by the time I found my sea legs. While in Delhi [for the Games], with a dose of 'Delhi belly', I knew that I was going to get through the other side of it.

"I vividly recall the morning showers, jumping off into the freezing cold waters - and then there's the photos we all took during our voyage. The people that you meet, the shared challenges and the friendships made are unforgettable - and the taste of salty sea air as I stood at the helm and guided the ship into the Marlborough Sounds with my crew mates and newly formed companions.

"I also learned a lot about the type of personality that I am and it was a real honour to be voted by my peers as the first mate for the final day to sail the boat into Picton. Standing at that helm as we sailed in, truly was, and still is a very special memory.

"Honestly it really was a life-shaping journey for me and it taught me a lot about myself. Ten years on, I still reflect on it."

Meanwhile the 'Spirit' has undergone a $1.8m makeover. Installing a new engine and propulsion unit, along with a ship refit, it is the most significant and costly project undertaken by the Trust since Spirit of New Zealand was commissioned in 1986.

The ambitious 'Think Big' initiative was made possible through the generosity of Lion Foundation, Pub Charity and New Zealand Community Trust.

The 12- week project was completed just before Christmas, having clocked up hundreds of man-hours, and utilising the skills and experience of some of the best in the marine industry.

The new engine will extend the vessel's economic life by more than 20 years.

The first stage of the project focused on system components below the waterline, with gearbox, hydraulics, bow thruster and a new rudder assembly installed. In addition, the bowsprit has been refurbished and reinstalled with all its rigging components.

While the vessel looks outwardly very similar to its launch and commissioning 25 years ago, significant work has been undertaken with the hull being water-blasted, wet sand-blasted, anti-fouled and painted. The forward hatch surrounds have been rebuilt as has the main cabin top.

Below decks, the wheel house interior has had a refit. Modifications were made to accommodate the new engine components, and the trainee chart table area is now more user friendly than before.

The engineering team has reconditioned or replaced and re-fitted engine room piping for all systems.

Late November saw the new vertical 4-cycle 6-cylinder engine and drive system installed into the ship from directly above, rather than cutting a hole into the topsides.

As the new year dawned, Spirit of New Zealand embarked on its first youth voyage after the make-over.

In March it will sail down the coast from its home port in Auckland to commence voyages from Tauranga to Napier then on to Wellington and Nelson, before returning to Auckland in mid year via Picton and Taranaki.