Ashburton College teacher Anna Eade is on the lookout for any gear that could be loaned to the college’s new kayaking club. Photo Jaime Pitt-MacKayDo you have a dusty old kayak or paddle in the shed? Why not give the Ashburton College kayak club a bit of hand?

The newly-formed club received a warm welcome from students, with more than 50 signing up, but it has struck a bit of a problem.

“We only have access to four kayaks at the moment,” said organising teacher, Anna Eade.

“Until we are able to get more funding to purchase gear, we are relying on what we have … which is why we are asking people if they have any gear they can lend us.”

Due to the lack of equipment, only eight are able to attend the weekly pool sessions and only spend half of the session in a kayak.

Over the winter months, the students will be refining their skills in the sport of canoe polo.

“It is kind of like basketball in a kayak,” Eade said.

“There is a league in Christchurch that doesn’t have a pool they can use, and we have a pool we can use, but don’t have any gear, so the hope is that we can share things around and compete in the league.”

Once the summer months come around again, the students will be taking to the waters of local rivers to experience white water kayaking.

“The rivers in the local area are great for beginners,” Eade said.

The club is looking for paddles and boats.

Neoprene spray-skirts and lifejackets are important as well, but extra care has to be taken as the spray-skirts can expire and lifejackets can lose their buoyancy.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 14 March 2017

Photo Matt MarkhamMia Pearson (right) gets out of the blocks at the Ashburton College Swimming sports yesterday.

The EA Networks Centre pool was a hive of activity with a plethora of students taking to the water to compete in the annual event.

The day started with heats in the morning before the highly competitive finals in the afternoon catering for all types of swimmers in all disciplines with a large contingent of supporters on the sidelines cheering the competitors on.

The day began what is a busy couple of weeks for secondary schools students with a number of Aoraki and South Island Secondary Schools’ events coming up in the next few weeks including the traditional summer tournament week which kicks off on March 26.

Athletes are today in Timaru competing at the Aoraki Secondary School Athletics Championships with the South Island Secondary Schools’ Motorcross titles up for grabs as well as the Aoraki Secondary Schools’ Lawn Bowls Championships this weekend.

Next week, as well as the start of tournament week, the best young touch players in the South Island will also be taking part in the two-day South Island Secondary Schools Touch Championships.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 14 March 2017

Students have been busy polishing their moves in preparation for Ash Dance on March 15. Photo Jaime Pitt-MacKayA night of variety, talent, energy and fun is all set to go at Ashburton College.

Come March 15, 12 acts will be ready to take the stage in Ash Dance, an event that has been a regular fixture on the college calendar for eight years.

Organiser, Claire Robertshaw, said a variety of acts will be taking to the stage, with large groups through to solo performances on the cards.

The idea behind Ash Dance is to provide the opportunity for students to showcase their dancing skills.

These dancing skills can come from formal classes, or ‘free-style’ for personal enjoyment and expression.

All dance styles are included as it is seen as a fantastic way to showcase the cultural diversity that is present at the college.

Groups performing on the night include, Kapa Haka, Polyfest, the Filipino hip-hop group, New Generation, and contempary Indian performances.

The event will be held in the Ashburton College auditorium, beginning at 7pm, with a gold coin donation at the door.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 11 March 2017