LEARNING a new outdoor sport, working in a team and better health were the kinds of benefits available to the Wanganui community as outlined at yesterday's launch of the joint venture between the YMCA and new Whanganui River Institute. YMCA outdoors (adventure) manager Hentie Cilliers was excited at the benefits thatwill be gained through getting more people learning a new skill like sculling on the river and getting out on bikes. The cycling will be coached by Lee Harris and rowing by Craig Smith of the YMCA. Mr Cilliers said they wanted to involve Wanganui schools as much as possible, but the sports were not restricted to youth only. "We are aiming for across-the-community involvement. People of all ages are welcome to join." Mr Cilliers said when people joined clubs, they usually had a certain level of skill. "Our project will help novices to up-skill and we hope they'll continue [on] with one of Wanganui's sports clubs." He continued that their aim was to get as many people as possible out on the river, with the pilot project running over the next 10 weeks. "We're giving people a taste of a new sport, and by October, we'll be in full swing." The benefits of learning a new discipline, how to work in a team and better health, were immediate, Mr Cilliers said. "We're giving everyone an equal opportunity through these two sports." Once people understood the basics they had the choice for longer involvement as a recreational sport or to be competitive. "We're lucky to have Lee and Craig, who have had many years in their respective sports. I'm very excited about this new venture." Directors Dave Feickert, Rod Trott and Laurence Boomert are the men behind the Whanganui River Institute that will look at a range of initiatives to enhance the community and environment through projects and seminars. ? Anyone interested in joining the sculling and cycling project can contact Hentie Cilliers on 349 0197, 349 6117 or at YMCA, 9 Park Place. ? The project will run for the next 10 weeks and by October will be in full swing. ? The Whanganui River Institute (WRI) is a charitable trust, with funds from donors. ? The WRI is giving a donation to the YMCA to deliver the project.
