It’s that time of the year again – Hillary Outdoors is buzzing with excitement as our 2024 tertiary programmes have finally kicked off – the energy around here is electric! 

Here at Hillary Outdoors, we’re all about learning safety through hands-on learning and immersive experiences – from our indoor classrooms to our outdoor laboratories – there is never a dull moment. 

We’ve welcomed both Diploma and Certificate students for what promises to be an epic journey of learning and adventure, and these guys wasted no time diving headfirst into the action! 

Our Certificate students have been absolute rockstars – after spending time in the classroom assessing and learning to manage risk and correctly use equipment, they put their newly acquired skills to the test under the watchful eyes of our experienced outdoor instructors. On just their second day rock climbing, they were already scaling cliffs and smashing out leads like pros at Whakapapa.  It’s been incredible to see their passion and determination fuelling their adventures from the get-go.  

Meanwhile, our Diploma students have been making waves – quite literally! Testing out their kayaking skills and camping out overnight – soaking in every ounce of adventure as they work towards the New Zealand Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Education (multi-skilled) Level 5. 

The Diploma will see Graduates obtain the necessary skills to instruct and lead groups in the outdoors so they can, in turn, be our outdoor instructors of tomorrow. Graduates need to show excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as demonstrate a high level of risk management during these activities, whilst also developing their existing technical skills. 

Putting these skills to use, in real life situations, develops students, so they can form an accurate self-assessment of their skills and abilities in a variety of conditions – think of it as Applied Kayak Physics where we test out Newton’s third law – for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  It is only through the practice and testing of these skills in the outdoors, our labs, that we can prove or disprove the hypothesis! 

So, picture this: they start the week by getting their kayak gear prepped and fitted before hitting the pool to perfect their rolls, then they take on the Tongariro red hut run to gauge their paddling prowess. But that’s just the warm-up! They set their sights on Mohaka River, conquering new stretches by day and camping under the stars by night – truly epic stuff! 

And amidst all the action, they still managed to put their skills to the test at the opening of our brand-spanking-new, state-of-the-art Tūpiki Trust climbing facility followed by a welcome BBQ hosted by our staff – where staff vs tertiary volleyball antics flowed as freely as the BBQ sauce, creating bonds that’ll last a lifetime. 

Our programmes develop the next generation of inspirational instructors, advanced adventure guides, safety experts, and skilled recreationists. Our graduates become sought-after leaders. The type of people you want on your team who make a difference! 

So, here’s to an action-packed start to 2024 – and trust us, the adventures have only just begun!