Misc, 'Bavarian Surprise', Naval Outdoor Centre, Bavaria, Sep 2011, ID 1164

HMS Hibernia

It was with some trepidation that the seven members of HMS HIBERNIA’s Bavarian Surprise Team embarked on the unit's first expedition to Naval Outdoor Centre Germany (NOC(G)). Unfortunately, due to unforseen Operational Commitments, a number of the personnel who had originally planned to take part in this expedition were unable to attend. This meant that the team was made up of 7 personnel rather than 15 as was originally planned. The journey in itself proved to be somewhat of a challenge as the team had to make their way from Northern Ireland to Calais via London before travelling cross country to the NOCG which is located near Bad Hindelang in Bavaria.

This expedition was organised by members of the HMS HIBERNIA’s Exped Committee with the help of Ulysses Trust and the support of the unit’s newly formed Combined Mess. (Incorporating the Senior and Junior Rates Messes) It aimed to provide members of the ship’s company with a range of opportunities designed to develop leadership potential while enabling members personnel returning from deployment to re-establish themselves as part of the team. To achieve this the activities that the team participated in during the course of the expedition were deliberately chosen to take the participants ‘out of their comfort zone’.

On arrival at the centre, the four female and three male members of the team split into two groups. AB’s Lee-Ann Jenkins, Jasmine Fleetwood and Sophie McGinn took part in the Summer Mountain Proficiency Course which lasted a total of five days and incorporated a 2 day and one night camping exped. This group had the opportunity to improve their navigation skills, develop an understanding of the clothing and equipment to be used, conservation issues, mountain hazards, weather challenges, and camp-craft. This was a personal challenge for all three, who found that they were pushed beyond what they believed they were capable of.

The four remaining members of the team embarked on a multi-activity package. AB’s Orlagh McCann, Aaron Dickson, Chris Dumigan and Chris Bell took to two wheels after some fast and intensive instruction on a Mountain Biking Course.

Having overcome some initial fears the team moved onto Kayaking. Following some capsizing and rescue drills we were brought onto a class two river. No one realistically struggled with this activity, and after a few capsizes on the first two rapids the team quickly got to grips with the challenge. The third activity, Rock Climbing, proved to be one of the group’s most successful challenges. After a brief trip into Austria the team got to grips with climbing in a very hands-on manner. The team seemed more than capable, so the instructor quickly moved them onto harder and harder climbs. Once again the team proved successful. The fourth activity, Klettersteiging, proved an altogether different challenge. The days warm-up began by climbing a mountain to the Klettersteiging routes. The whole team thoroughly enjoyed the activity and found it the most rewarding of all the activities, as it was different from any they had faced before.

Finally White Water rafting was the last activity before returning home. This was more for all the teams’ enjoyment but still had an element of danger to it. Again after a brief trip through Austria and some stunning Alpine scenery we were brought to the rafting course, shown what we had to do and were given a tutorial while on the river. The rapids proved to be challenging but fun, as the whole team had to work together efficiently to stay upright !

Throughout the expedition HMS HIBERNIA’s Bavarian Surprise Team enjoyed great weather and had the opportunity to challenge themselves to try something completely different. The staff from NOCG organised some amazing trips and activities which helped the team as whole to make the most of the every minute of the day. Trips into the local town and a tour of the area enable the team to make the most of the scenic views and meet the local people who were both friendly and welcoming.

This expedition clearly more than fulfilled its aims and objectives as the team as a whole have returned to HMS HIBERNIA enthused and ready for more. They were constantly encouraged to overcome the challenges that faced, while individuals where given the opportunity to overcome fears and work well outside their normal comfort zones. The group as a whole has seen the benefits of Adventurous Training and has returned to Northern Ireland ready to start planning for the unit’s next expedition.

The support provided by the Ulysses Trust has helped to deliver a challenging expedition and was much appreciated by all who took part.

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