A team paddle around The Candle area on Ex Tasman Advance. Photos by Capt Cathy Zimmerman, ATW

Sea change for soldiers

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson
MANY people dream of running away to sea on a voyage of self-discovery, but far too often our dreams are dashed by the realities of our working lives.

Fortunately in the ADF there exists the opportunity to make dreams come true, as a group of soldiers recently experienced on Exercise Tasman Advance.

For them the dream was the challenge of sea kayaking in the rolling seas off the Tasman Peninsula.

In January, the Australian White Water Association took a group of ADF sea kayaking novices on a 10-day journey of self-discovery and exploration off the southeast coast of Tasmania.

Exercise Tasman Advance required all participants to demonstrate a willingness to 'have a go' in a supportive atmosphere that tested their sense of adventure and exploration.

A participant on the exercise, Maj Richard Mallet, said it was more than just sea exploration.

"Sea kayaking is about exploring individual qualities - physical courage, self-discipline and mental robustness while continuing to develop the qualities crucial within a team - determination, trust and camaraderie," he said.

Maj Mallet believed the human qualities of endurance, strength, stamina, and the ability to cope with pain and discomfort were all tested.

"Ex Tasman Advance demonstrated how an adventurous training activity has excellent utility in offering participants the opportunity to establish the qualities and esprit de corps that the Army values and must continue to nurture in its soldiers," he said.