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Outdoor Community 2017-10-20T12:46:31+00:00

Outdoor Community

FMC launched our ‘Outdoor Community’ campaign in 2015 to identify and enhance the diverse array of recreational pursuits that member clubs and individuals are passionate about. The campaign identifies a pursuit annually that, “takes place in the same environment as tramping and shares the ethos of exploration, companionship and appreciation of nature”, and make its development a priority for FMC over a July – June period. The emerging pursuit of canyoning, the sport of chasms and ravines, was identified as the targeted pursuit for 2015/2016, the pursuit of Adventure Navigation, spanning competitive tramping through rogaining to adventure racing has been chosen for 2016/2017.

FMC is pleased to announce that Packrafting will be the pursuit for 2017/18.

The specific support depends on the circumstances. Possible actions include: assisting with the formalisation, governance and management of organisations, providing promotional or safety related material, building the capacity of affiliated clubs to undertake the pursuit, articles in the FMC Bulletin and other media to encourage participation and advocacy on behalf of the pursuit with DOC and other government agencies.

The ‘Outdoor Community’ campaign will also serve to foster the next generation of kiwi outdoors people. Outdoor pursuits on the edge of normal inspire younger adventurers with a thirst for exploration. Young people, especially the young leaders of tomorrrow’s outdoors community, want to go somewhere, or try something, that hasn’t been done before. This should be encouraged and supported with appropriate mentoring and training.

Packrafting 2017/18

Packrafting involves the use of a small, inflatable craft to paddle a water way. Usually, it involves walking some distance to the beginning of the paddling, however given their portability and forgiving nature, packrafts are being increasingly used for vehicle accessible rivers. Packrafting trips vary along the continuum of paddling challenge and walking challenge. So Packrafting could be the use of a raft to cross a large river or lake during an extended tramp. It could be means of extreme athletes walking into difficult remote rivers, where helicopters may not be allowed.  Or anything in between.

FMC has been working with the Packrafting community and Whitewater New Zealand  to support the sport as it grows. So far we have provided support to:

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Adventure Navigation 2016/2017

Adventure Navigation covers a spectrum of activities, all of which are characterized by moving through unknown terrain with an eye to a challenge or competition. They range from competitive tramping, or hut bagging activities, through to organized rogaining and adventure racing activities. Their common feature is that they require a map. An example of an adventure navigation activity are challenges that clubs run to visit as many huts as possible in their local ranges in a defined time period. FMC will work on an ongoing basis to promote Adventure Navigation as a pathway to off-track tramping and  as a way to attract youth into the outdoors.

During 2016/2017 FMC was able to assist with:

Canyoning 2015/2016

After looking at several possibilities, and after agreement with  local enthusiasts, canyoning was chosen as the targeted pursuit for 2015/2016.

The simple premise of canyoning is descending streams by the best means possible. The level of difficulty ranges from easy (walkable) to extreme (committing multi-pitch descents in the full force of water). At the easier end of the spectrum it is an activity undertaken by people with tramping skills at the most difficult end the skills used are transferable from caving and white water kayaking or specific to the sport.

While canyoning has been happening in New Zealand for some time, much activity has had a commercial basis and the development of recreational canyoning has yet to fulfil its potential. There are already canyoning opportunities identified and established throughout New Zealand, but there is a huge opportunity for exploration, provided canyoners ensure they have a solid base of skills and experience before taking on too much.

FMC was able to help with the establishment of the New Zealand Canyoning Association, contribute to the printing costs of Daniel Clearwater’s New Zealand Canyoning Guide (through the FMC Trust), promote canyoning through the FMC Bulletin and other media, see a bolting fund for introductory canyons and offer Canyoning Leader Scholarships for the 2015/2016 summer season. The scholarships were designed to encourage and develop competence in recreational canyoners that lead, or intend to lead, recreational canyoning trips. 9 Scholarships were granted to individuals from a range of affiliated clubs. Check out this video of the course attended by Canterbury University Tramping Club’s Ashley Stewart.