For the first YATZ meet up of 2019, along with our new amazing MATZ, everyone was so excited for what was yet to come even though the morning sky was covered by thick dark clouds, lit up by lighting followed by the roar of thunder as the rain continued to pour down drowning the city. But still, every YATZ, every MATZ continued to smile and laugh with positivity.

As we set off to Semaphore Beach the sky began to clear as the storm rolled away. The sun came out, the wind was warm and the water looked so clear. We were split into small groups to collect rubbish on the beach. My group and I were constantly questioning and examining the objects that we had found on the beach, each one earning us points as we challenged other YATZ groups.

Everyone jumped on the bus and set off to Garden Island where we would under go another task taking us into the most magical and breathtaking place, the mangroves.
Kayla (YATZ Member)

Our spirits where not dampened by the weather as we entered the peaceful mangroves through a small channel only fitting one kayak at a time . We were all very curious on what we would find. The mangroves put our teamwork to the test as we manovered around the low hanging branches and trees while becoming completely in awe of what we saw. This amazing ecosystem was completely unique and well adapted to the environment. As fish swam below us and birds flew above we learnt about how the mangroves where completely destroyed by water pollution and littering but had been reborn and completely transformed into what it is today. We learnt how the mangroves released their seeds and how the little trees which were growing inside had to quickly plant themselves in the ground before high tide where they would be washed away if they didn’t. We also learnt how the mangroves filter the salt water through their roots and put 90% of the salt back into the water. The other 10% is put into a single leaf which is sacrificed for wellbeing of the whole tree. As we made our way through teamwork was not only needed between the person you where sharing the kayak with it was also needed between your group. Everyone was always calling out to make sure their other group members where ok and weren’t getting left behind. Helping others by holding up branches and warning each other if there was a sand bank or a really tight passage around the next corner was amazing to witness.
Livy (YATZ Member)

It was a stunning seeing something that you could only see in a tropical paradise but being so close to home. The overall feed back from everyone seemed positive although some missed out on seeing a dolphin we weren’t upset as the mangroves were a great highlight of the day.
Brayden (YATZ Member)