Club needs more room to stretch
Adventure Southland has chalked up 20 years of helping people to gain confidence and experience challenging activities.
Wall climbing, abseiling and low- and high-rope challenges were some of the activities that more than 200 people tried out at the business’s 20th anniversary celebrations at Lorneville on Sunday.
A former staff member, Dean Stewart, was there with his children. ‘‘The kids get to challenge themselves, overcome fear and have a bit of fun,’’ he said.
‘‘Instructors talk to them and get them over the edge.’’
Anthony Tran, 16, tried out a rope challenge for the first time on Sunday, while his sister Annie Tran, 10, had done it a few times.
‘‘It can help kids’ physical wellbeing and it’s fun,’’ he said.
David and Kristin Fenton, Amy Sutherland and Will Impelmans bought the business in July last year.
Kristin Fenton said the business was all about helping people to overcome fear, build confidence and have fun.
‘‘People are realising there’s a lot to do [in Southland]. They are keen to get active and get the kids doing things.’’
Organised kayaking, climbing and caving trips are also provided for school groups and corporate team-building exercises.
Sunday’s event doubled as a fundraiser for Southland Land Search and Rescue. Funds from entry fees and barbecue sales will be given to the organisation, which is staffed by volunteers. A gymnastics club is not letting a few frustrations get in the way of having fun and success.
The Invercargill Gymnastics Club needs to double the size of its current building to allow it to bring back some activities from other venues.
President Vicky Lumsden said the building has been a marvellous facility but it was time for an upgrade to increase floor space and end leaky-roof issues.
Buckets in certain areas of the building are a common sight on wet days. It’s not a safety issue, but rather a nuisance, according to the administrator.
Artistic and recreational gymnastics classes are held in the building, and trampoline programmes are done there as well as at a Kennington hall. Verdon College is the venue for aerobics.
Some parents of club members are builders and have agreed to go on subcommittees for the upgrade, Lumsden said.
‘‘We’re at the point now where we’ve got to get things sorted. We’ve got a little bit of money but we’ll need to apply for grants.’’
She thought the project would cost $300,000 or $400,000 and hoped work could be under way in the second half of next year.
Another priority was to find a replacement for senior aerobics coach Tracey Maclennan, who retired after the national championships this month.
The club has also been looking for a second senior aerobics coach for two or three years. Without a qualified senior coach the club is unlikely to be allowed to take part in the grade at next year’s national championships.
The club’s medal count at the national championships totalled 16, including six golds.
Lumsden said she thought there were 400 people involved in the club’s activities.