'Spirit' was voyage of a lifetime

Do you recognise any of these boys on the Spirit of Adventure's first trip? Photo / NZ Herald

Gary McAuliffe says the lessons he learned on the first Spirit of Adventure voyage are still with him today.

McAuliffe, 54, was 16 when he joined 29 other boys on the maiden voyage in 1974. He hoped more past participants would contact the Spirit of Adventure Trust for its 40th anniversary celebrations, beginning next year.

McAuliffe journeyed to Auckland from Invercargill to go on the inaugural trip and hasn't kept in touch with any fellow voyage members.

McAuliffe's strongest memory was sailing from Kawau Island to Auckland at night when he and the group on watch decided to sail up to Coromandel on the way.

McAuliffe had virtually no sailing experience before the trip, but it wasn't an issue.

"That's not the point, it's not about learning to sail," he said. "I think it's about getting on with people, forming a team, working together, working under pressure."

The trust is calling on those who made the early journeys to get in touch.

Chief executive Dean Lawrence said past voyagers were being sought to let them know what was happening for the anniversary. Celebrations begin with the current ship, Spirit of New Zealand, visiting Tutukaka early in 2012.

The known 1974 voyagers are Robert Bedford, Auckland; Alan Clist; Kevin Hill; Tony Houston, Auckland; Greg McEwan; Gary Morrison, Wellington; Alistair Rennie, Levin; Seu Taogaga, Terry Wouldes.

If you're a Spirit alumni, visit www.spiritofadventure.org.nz.