In the cold grey morning light they gathered, 15 fresh faces, unfamiliar in their casual attire, filled with boisterous expectation of the adventure that lay before them.

For these were no ordinary day- trippers.

Freed from the bleak isolation and antiseptic mustiness of the fluorescently lit Fleet Base West Health Centre these 15 blessed souls were on a mission.

Their mission: to reignite the spark that is Adventure Training within the Naval Health Services branch.

After packing into the minibus and forgoing the mods and cons of city living, the team ventured into the far south on their pilgrimage to the surfing mecca of WA, Margaret River.

The first stop was at Smith's beach, where the sea had pushed up a sizeable swell for us modest beginners; the team learnt the basic principles of surfing and then plunged fearlessly into some pretty horrendous dumping waves.

After swallowing a fair amount of water, and nearly a few of the surfboards, the crew emerged breathless yet ecstatic with their achievements.

The group ventured further south, and in light southwest drizzle camp was established at the property "Glenbrook".

After a combined effort to cook, setup camp and chop enough wood to fill the boilers of HMAS AUSTRALIA, the team settled down for a few "campfire" games conducted by the AT cell.

While a few members showed their prowess in the lateral thinking arena, quite a few others were simply left dazed and confused.

With CPOMEDX Wells up with the guts watch and stoking the fire, the crew rose early and after an excellently prepared breakfast proceeded, after a short briefing, to Willyabrup for the first of the day's activities, abseiling.

After trekking over about three kilometres of lush seaside farmland, the group eventually reached the "nursery" section for the commencement of the days activities.

With perfect three metre waves crashing onto the reef below, the team were introduced to and reunited with, some 25 and 35 metre drops.

After falling backwards and even forwards over these mere tiny drop offs, the courageous few moved on to tackle the 50 metre wall of sheer death known affectionately as "stainless steer''.

After a few descents and even one suicidal frontwards rappel down this sheer monster and a climb up the adjacent wall, the crew moved on after a hasty lunch, to the feverish tranquillity of the Margaret River.

The team then enjoyed a relaxing paddle up one of the most popular and beautiful Australian rivers.

Lined with paperbark mangroves, green farmland, and sheer granite cliffs it was definitely a sight treasured by all.

At last the fateful day came and after packing up and a short personal debrief the crew ventured back from the wilderness towards HMAS STIRLING.

All in all the objectives desired by the Adventure Training program were readily achieved.

Thanks and appreciation go to all involved, especially LSPT Hamill, WOPT Gias and LEUT Morris.

by ABMED Mick Edwards