Eastern Beach Recount

Our Special Beach Picnic

It was a cloudy morning when we headed to Eastern beach, it was a quiet ride to Eastern Beach and for some of us, a bumpy one.  As we hopped out of the bus I looked up and I noticed that the clouds would not let the sun out of their sight, it was as if it had tried to do something wrong.  We were being instructed by Mis Kirkpatrick, and she told us to sit in front of the teachers tent.  As soon as Mr Johnston finished talking all I could remember was ‘Year 7’s and 8’s kayaking!’  I was so excited. A few seconds later we all made our way to our picnic site, group by group, then Ms Kirkpatrick sat us down and started talking about the kayak groups and that woke me up.

The first group was Lavinia’s group and before they kayaked out they had to learn the rules.  As soon as they learnt the rules for the whistle, they started learning how to paddle and then not long enough they started paddling out to the shallow part.  While they were having fun Mrs Anderson was also having fun being lifeguard number one, and keeping an eye out for the next kayak group.  After an hour they came back to shore and that when my group came in.

My group started not long after the first group got back. We put the lifejackets on, they smelt salty and were cold on the inside.  When I dipped my feet in the water to drag out my kayak the water felt as if someone had left the air conditioner on through the night.  

I got to the pink bottle it was hard to control my kayak, but Henry and Rangi found it easy.  We had a long session practicing how to get into line with the kayaks.  Later on we played a game called tiggy and when we were tagged we would stand our paddle in front of us.  Then Ms Kirkpatrick challenged us to walk across our kayaks. We were told not to step on the edge because if we did we would tip the kayak over and it would turn into a disaster.  We had to do this about three or four times and then we had a race back to shore. While the others were make their way back to shore, Mr Grady, Miss Nichols, Mahdia and I had a three kayak swap.  It was very hard because there was only three kayaks and we had to be careful when we were swapping because if we fell into the water we would have to get back up and then we would be all wet.

After kayaking and a swim we all enjoyed our lunch. Some were on the sand, some in the tree and the others on the grass.  While the third group was having thier kayaking lessons I was have a fun time sitting on the sharp pointed shells.  Finally the last group headed out, some people in that group could not control the kayak so the waves were dragging them towards the rocks. Luckily Ms Nichols and Mr Grady saw that and helped them.

After they got back we were all told to hop out of the water and get changed. Mrs Anderson got us to pick up all the rubbish and then we all came together in front of the teachers tent. When Mr Johnston finished talking to us again we made our way to the buses for the ride home.  When we arrived back at school we waited for the bell and from there on we made our own separate ways home. I had fun at Eastern Beach!