New Form of Renewable Energy Unleashed on the Coast!
Friday, 9 October 2009
Over the month of September in 2009, a new kind of energy was discovered on the iconic West Coast of New Zealand - people power!
Experts are saying that "the potential of this new form of clean, completely renewable energy is enormous - and best harnessed through the A Day at the Beach Adventure Festival."
The Festival brought together over 2000 enthusiastic people from West Coast communities and beyond in some of the most vibrant displays of community action ever seen. In total over 4000 native trees were planted, and somewhere between five and six tonnes of rubbish was removed from the beaches. One participant - a student from Westport's South School said "one man even walked 350km." The question now etched at the forefront of most peoples minds is how much of an exciting future can this new kind of energy create for the West Coast Region? The new film shot around the entire festival, set to be released in April 2010, will certainly provide some great insights!
Day #24: Huge Success for Big Finale in Franz Josef!!!
Friday, 25 September 2009
With severe storm warnings coastwide on the final day – 100km winds, heavy rain, and power shortages reported, there was some concern as to whether the mission was indeed finish-able... almost unbelievably the weather held off in Franz Josef for the whole day, and apart from crossing of an extremely cold glacial fed river the last leg of the journey seemed far to easy!
Huge thanks to the support from the crew of locals and travellers who came to celebrate with us at the finish line - speechless - incredible. The Wild Night event at Blue Ice Cafe was really successful with a great audience all enjoying stories, slides, giveaways, and epic live music from the one and only Dean Hetherington - what an awesome set this talented musician played - massive respect!
So as the 2009 A Day at the Beach Adventure Festival draws to a close we're already seeing off-shoots happening via more community action and in-school projects. We'll be following up the Festival with the Film & Exhibition set to be released early 2010 for a West Coast followed by National Premiere Release Tour. We're very pleased to announce that the Festival will of course be happening next year - bigger and better than ever. We appreciate all feedback and offers to help out with future endeavors and again wish to extend an enormous thanks to everyone who took part and helped bring this unfathomable juggernaught to life, it's been truly amazing!
Day #23: Brilliant Final Beach Day!
Thursday, 24 September 2009
An inspirational effort in Okarito today with a slightly different recipe for success. The Okarito Lagoon is one of the most vibrant ecosystems around - a hub for many native species of birds, plants, & fish - all thriving in NZ's largest unmodified wetland. This place is so lush and well kept, the plan switched to learn about what makes such a thriving ecosystem.
A turn out of around 50 people experienced a great line up of education & entertainment with participation from Franz Josef School, and awesome support from parents, locals Karen from The Blue Penguin Trust, Sarah from DOC, Paula & Swade from Okarito Boat Tours, Ken & Sam the local north lagoon end residents, and the A Day at the Beach adventure crew!
This mission has been mammoth - tomorrow, September 24th being the final day - incredible. If you get the chance, make sure you make it to Franz Josef for the big finale - a crew of supporters will rally at Blue Ice at 5.20pm to greet the adventure crew at the finish-line for 5.30pm, then the Wild Night kicking from 6.30pm till late...
Beyond the finale, a soon to be award-winning documentary & an educational exhibition will be released early next year - but we've got a long way to go and still need to find some financial support. So far we've engaged thousands of people in the process of this epic festival, and made an awesome contribution to this place we all call home. If your in a position to donate to the educational outcomes of the festival, help us out. Contributions are very gratefully received and can be made by navigating to the Give a Little page!
Only Two Days To Go - Day #22: Okarito
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
By day the legs are tired. By night the muscles ache. Yet after a hot sauna at the YHA today there's no complaining!!!
Today we stumbled across a great discovery on the crest of Okarito Lagoon - Gold Miner Ken & his son Sam living lush in one of the most remote places around. These guys have got it made - epic solar power set up, and living locally off the land as much as possible. Cups of tea and smoked trout sandwiches - needless to say we were totally stoked!
Big thanks to Paula & Swade from Okarito Boat Tours who helped us safely cross the lagoon. These guys are also helping out with the final Beach Day in Okarito tomorrow - starting 10am - see you there!
On another note - don't forget the big finale Wild Night in Franz Josef two days from now - Thursday night at Blue Ice - this is set to be a guaranteed great night out!
