Page 30 - Wish Stream Year of 2018

trol their buoyancy and air supply,
and monitor depth. Impressed
by the cadets’ competency and
quick learning, the instructors took
them to water and made them
dive. The first dives were all about
gaining confidence and quelling
nerves; the confidence to carry out
their drills underwater (including taking off your mask, swimming away from it and then relocat- ing and refitting it), and the calmness to breathe slowly when under pressure and not grind one’s teeth to the extent that the regulator is chewed off and floats away. With these basics mastered, the cadets were able to progress to bigger, better and deeper things, including visiting the famed wreck of the Zenobia on their final day.
For the more experienced cadets, the first day was a chance to get back into the water and re- familiarise themselves with the ups and downs of sub-aqua diving; regulating buoyancy, work- ing with a buddy, and carrying out the neces- sary drills and skills. The objective of the Nitrox course was to qualify to use Nitrox as an air
supply, which is a more space-effi- cient air source and so allows you to dive deeper and for longer. Over the course of the week, they made several visits to different parts of the Zenobia wreck, and were able to see much of the marine life that Cyprus has to offer.
Out of the water, all of the cadets enjoyed their time in Cyprus, where it is not unthinkable that some of them may spend time in a posting on one of the several military bases on the island. On the final evening of the expedition a long- awaited volleyball match took place in the Larn- aca beachfront arena, with 12 Platoon emerging victorious. On Friday, the expedition disbanded, with some members flying home to see friends and family, while others continued their travels. EX ZENOBIAN EXPLORER was a resounding success, with all training objectives success- fully fulfilled and an excellent week in Larnaca enjoyed by all. An equally resounding thanks must be paid to The Sandhurst Trust, whose support made this expedition possible.
ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
Adventure matters
Sam Moore, Head of Adventure Education, Dauntsey’s
We live in an increasingly risk-averse world and yet understanding risk and not shy- ing away from it is an important life skill. Encouraging adventurous behaviour helps chil- dren demonstrate and adopt behaviours that will help them lead a fruitful and interesting life, in which they are organised and flexible, will- ing to have a go and able to learn from their experiences.
Our adventure education programme starts in the Lower School with short experiences that serve as an introduction to adventure, such as learning to kayak on the Kennet and Avon canal or a night hike on Salisbury Plain. Further up the School, students get involved in more challeng- ing adventures; be it paddling in the Devizes to Westminster canoe race, trekking in the Hima- laya or crewing our Tall Ship, Jolie Brise.
The results are remarkable. Pupils who started as relatively quiet and cautious grow in con-
fidence. Self-esteem rises dramatically which pays dividends back in the classroom in terms of academic progress. Adventure can enable pupils to set themselves apart and, as a conse- quence, develop into the person they aspire to be. In short, what you learn through adventure can have a profound effect on the development of your character and your entire future.
The first dives were all about gaining confidence and quelling nerves...
28 SANDHURST