The Spirit moves them

Charlotte Skerten learned patience and tolerance during her 10-day journey. Picture / Paul Estcourt

It is before dawn on an Auckland winter morning, but Charlotte Skerten is standing on Princes Wharf wearing hipster jeans, a short shirt and a flimsy wrap-around cardigan. "I'm from Dunedin. This is almost tropical," she quips.

Skerten, 17, is returning from a 10-day youth development voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand sailing ship, an experience designed to help young people develop qualities that will help them in their lives and career.

The ship, looking like a majestic prop for the next Master and Commander film, is owned and operated by the Spirit of Adventure Trust, a charitable organisation that has been taking young people to sea for more than 30 years.

Participants, called trainees, are encouraged to realise their potential and to learn personal skills, including self discipline, initiative, leadership, independence and tolerance. Public speaking, delegation and interview techniques are also taught.

Skerten, who attends a decile-10 girls' school in Dunedin and plans to start a double degree in law and economics next year, seems the kind of person who would gain little from the Spirit experience.

But she says while fun was definitely on the agenda, the voyage taught her skills that will be useful for university life and a career.

"You learn how to be patient and tolerant because you live closely with people in a confined space for days.

"There were people on the ship who might not have spoken to each other if they were anywhere else. It shows you that you should give all people a chance," she says.

Lisa Martin, who travelled on the Spirit in January, told Tearaway magazine she initially set out on her voyage full of anxiety. But after four years convalescing from an illness, Martin said the experience helped her to relate to people her own age again and to develop leadership and teamwork skills.

"I quickly learned that putting up a sail on your own was an impossibility. With five people it could be done with difficulty, with 10 it could be done relatively easily, but with 10 people all giving 100 per cent, it could be done in the blink of an eye.

"I definitely learned the power of teamwork," she said.

Spirit voyages carry 40 trainees, a permanent staff of five, and six adult crew volunteers. A set programme is administered but, as trainees such as Skerten and Martin can testify, the impartial wisdom of an adult crew member is as valuable as any planned exercise.

"One girl was so homesick at first and the crew were just awesome with her," says Skerten.

Sue Janett, spokesperson for the Spirit of Adventure Trust, says every young person gains something from the voyage.

"For some it is truly life-changing, while others already have the qualities we are trying to impart. Those people still learn something significant," she says.

Because each voyage is designed around youth development rather than sailing as a career, only a small number of trainees go on to pursue sailing and the trust supports those who do.

"We employ three young people at a time, train them for 14 months and help them to get qualified. Many have gone on to be masters of foreign-going ships," says Janett.

She says the voyages effect life change because they isolate young people from routines, patterns and relationships that may be holding them back.

"We have kids from Ruatoria and Remuera which is a great leveller. Some kids are very insular, and with no PlayStation and no skateboard the change can be daunting. But after a few days they gain self confidence, and once kids have self confidence they can do anything." 

Adventure calls 

* Anyone aged between 15 and 19 may apply, either through their school or direct through the Trust website.

* Trainees on standard voyages need to be able to swim but tailored voyages for people with disabilities are available.

* The voyage qualifies for the Young New Zealanders Challenge (Duke of Edinburgh Award) Gold Residential Project.

* Each trainee is awarded a certificate.

* The fee is $950 for a 10-day voyage, following the trust's $650 subsidy. Those unable to afford the fee often apply for funding through community organisations or take part in school fundraising efforts.

* Travel to and from the ship for people who live more than 150km from the port of departure or arrival is included in the fee.

* An annual four-day leadership development voyage is available for people interested in junior management.