Figure 1.--These Sea Scouts are erecting a fence at The 1998/99 New Zealand Jamboree in Greytown, North Island.

New Zealand is one of the countries with an especially important Sea Scout movement. Due to the nature of New Zealand, being two relatively small islands, sea scouting has proven particularly popular. New Zealand boys and girls can begin Sea Scouting and any level, including the entry Kea level.

Administration

There are groups in every part of the country. For administration, the country is split into Scout Areas, such as Auckland, Canterbury, Otago etc, and each Area into Districts. My Scout Group is Mt Pleasant, in Banks Peninsula District, which is part of Canterbury Area. Every year each Area holds a sea scout regatta and every three years a National regatta is held, bringing together all, or those who can afford to go, of the sea scout groups in the country.

Standard Boat

I believe New Zealand is unique in that we all use the same standard boat, known as a 'Scout Standard' but usually referred to as a 'Scout Cutter'. The boat was designed in 1944 and is based on the British Navies 16 foot skiff. These can be sailed by between 3 and 7 persons or, with the mast and rigging removed, rowed by six oarsmen and a coxswain. The vessels were originally made of wood but are now commonly made of fibre glass. They are 17.5 feet long and when in sailing have a single mast with Bermudan rig.

Camps

Camps are a very important part of the New Zealand Sea Scout programme. A lot of the most effective boat training takes pkace at the camps. As in regular Scouting, camps provide a wonderful environment for learning basic skills. New Zealand has one of the most developed youth camping program in the world. Not only to Scouts have excellent camps and facilities, but most schools sponsor outward bound and other camping experiences.

Regattas

Regattas pitch scout groups in competition against each other in the scout and venturer age groupings in rowing, sailing, seamanship, camping and swimming, for a host of trophies. The pinnacle of achievement is to win the overall trophy at a National Regatta, the first being held in 1945. This overall trophy, known as the 'Jellico Trident' after is donator, is a silver trident some four feet long and was originally presented to sea scouting for the best Sea Scout Group in the country. Groups that finish in the top ten to fifteen places in the National Regatta may also qualify for 'Royal New Zealand Navy recognition', entitling them to fly a special pennant, wear a special badge and, (supposedly), giving them access to navy resources.

Uniform

As at present (2002), the uniform is as follows: White-topped seaman's cap with tally band, navy blue shirt (short sleeved), navy blue jersey, group scarf, navy blue shorts, official belt, black walk socks (knee highs), and black shoes. There are variations allowed such as white T shirts with blue neck and arm bands, and sandals in place of shoes and socks, and this is usual in some of the North Island troops, particularly in summer. A white lanyard is also optional wear. Badges used to be worn on uniforms as in most countries. However, since the changes to the land scout uniform in 2000, all badges were supposed to be removed from uniforms in all sections, and worn on optional activity dress only. This has met with a lot of resistance from most Sea Scout groups and badges are still generally being worn.

Figure 2.--This photograph shows a sailing race at a regatta. Norice that one of the boats has over turned.

Activities

Sea Scout troops are involved all the same traditional types of scouting activities as New Zealand land scout groups. Like Sea Scouts they participate in parades and church services. Sea Scouts are also involved in "tramps" (hiking and camping). There are, however many destinctive features to the Sea Scout programme. Most also own a number of boats and water activities form a significant part of the programme. For example, Mount Pleasant own 2 scout standard cutters, 2 Sunburst sailing dinghys, (two man), 4 Optimist dinghys (one man) and eight kayaks. Other activities are climbing, abseiling, motor cycling, mountain biking, etc, as well as hikes. Camping is now a means to an activity rather than an activity itself. As well attending Area and National regattas, sea scouts attend the National Jamboree, held every 3 years and the sea venturers attend the National Venture which is held on the year when there is not either a National Regatta or National Jamboree.

Sections

A Sea Scout group usually comprises 4 sections, each with there own leadership structure. This is the same struture for the different levels of regular Scouting. The uniforms are, however, quite destinctive. It is thus easy to identify the boys participating in the Sea Scout programme

Kea Scouts

6 to 8 years old. The Kea uniform comprises of just the group scarf worn with normal clothes. Most Groups have a standard T shirt with Group monogram however. The Kea is own of our native parrots famous for it's cheeky behaviour and this emblem suits the age range perfectly.

Cub Scouts

8 to 10 years. Their uniform is similar to the scouts but without the cap and lanyard.

Scouts

10 to 15 years. Uniform as above

Sea Venturer Scouts

15 to 19. White long sleeved shirt, black tie or group scarf, navy blue long trousers, black ankle socks, and black shoes. Navy blue Jersey may also be worn.

Girls

Girls are able to join any section and wear the same uniform as the boys. My particular Group has girls in the scout section only at present.

Sources

The information on New Sea Scouting has been supplied by Sea Scouter Roger Horton. HBU has provided some text, mostly for continuity sake, but most of the text and photograph's are Roger's work.

REH016 Standard being sailed at camp REH018 Seamanship under oars, 1991