West Coast outdoor programme at capacity

The West Coast of the Southern Alps is where it is at for outdoors students this year, if enrolment figures at Tai Poutini Polytechnic are anything to go by.

The Polytechnic’s Certificate in Outdoor Recreation programme is operating at maximum capacity with 32 students embarking on a year of study in what has been described as ‘the ultimate classroom’.

“For 32 weeks students get to live and learn in the most scenic classroom in NZ,” says head of department Stu Drake.

“Our classroom is the mountains and glaciers of South Westland, the stunning coastlines of Paparoa National Park and Charleston, unspoilt wild rivers and lakes surrounded by wild bush – what more could anyone want?”

A typical day in this ‘classroom’ might involve rock climbing on the Charleston sea cliffs, ice climbing at Fox Glacier, mountaineering in Arthur’s Pass, tramping in the Lewis Pass or kayaking on one of the many lakes or rivers in the region.

Back at Greymouth, in the classroom proper, students learn the skills they’ll need to survive in the outdoors, including risk management, first aid, navigation and meteorology.

“The programme is 75 per cent practical, 25 per cent theoretical, so most of the time is spent in the outdoors, doing it,” says Mr Drake.

“It is a big year, chock full of learning, growth, adventure and fun.”

Outdoor enthusiast and Tai Poutini Polytechnic student Laura Cashmore agrees. She came to the West Coast from Hamilton and absolutely loves it.

“I’m enjoying it as much, if not more, than I expected and already want to sign up for the second year Certificate in Advanced Leadership and Guiding,” she says.

Another student, Hannah Green, moved to Greymouth from within the South Island after friends raved about the programme.

“I have always loved the outdoors and after hearing good reviews I enrolled. It was even more attractive to me because I didn’t have to travel far, and the programme fees are very competitive in comparison to other courses,” she says.

The Tai Poutini Polytechnic Certificate in Outdoor Recreation accepts 32 enrolments per year.

Graduates of the programme may progress onto a second year and complete the Certificate in Advanced Leadership and Guiding.

The Polytechnic also offers a number of short courses in Outdoor Recreation in pursuits such as snowboarding, advanced sea kayaking, white water kayaking, rafting and mountaineering.