Increased resilience, confidence, determination and motivation were the outcomes of an eight week youth development programme for Central teenagers.

Eighteen Dunstan High School pupils were put through their paces and tested with surprise team challenges and outdoor activities during the Blue Light Alternative Strategy for Teenagers (BLAST) longest day last Friday.

Puna Rangitahi (Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust) manager Tash Kane, youth workers Nathan Zimmerman and Marley Ferguson, NZ Police youth aid officer James McDonald, BLAST volunteer instructor Lia Chapman, Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Ben Hamilton and NRG Alexandra personal trainer Teresa Noble ran the day and the various activities.

The Longest Day marks the end of the BLAST programme, and is made up of 12 hours of physical and mental challenges. 

Participants who completed the day earn a hoodie and a t-shirt, along with a “massive sense of accomplishment”.

The day began with an early morning swim in the freezing Alexandra outdoor pool where pupils had to dive in and find hidden sunken objects. Next up there was a bike ride down the Otago Central Rail Trail to Clyde to the beach alongside the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club. 

Getting ready to paddle across to the pontoon were Sam Melvin (15), Jesse Roscoe-Bell (15), William Wallis (13 kneeling), Anastasia McNally (13), Maddy Bruce (13) and William Forsyth (13). PHOTO: The Central App 

The three teams of six pupils had a series of demanding tasks to complete including a store carry of tyres and barrels and memory game, a food tasting challenge, a paddle board and team challenge on Lake Dunstan, and a land based problem solving game ‘acid river into spider web’.

Year 10 pupil Sean Crawford said the programme had been amazing and he had enjoyed every minute.

“I’m fitter, we did the beep test at the start of the term, and again at the end. Everyone improved.”

Sean had put his name forward to return as a mentor for a new group of BLAST participants in 2026.

He said he was thrilled about being selected to be a mentor.

“BLAST is definitely something everyone should try at least once.”

Along with improved strength and fitness he said it was a confidence booster and he had made friendship connections too.

Team Bravo were Felix, Sean, Harper, Dani, Faith, Natalie. They are pictured here after finishing the challenge set by Sport Central’s Ben Hamilton. PHOTO: The Central App

Fifteen-year-old Jesse Roscoe-Bell said being on the programme had helped with his sleeping schedule which was an unexpected but beneficial result.

The programme requires early morning commitment - it has been on three mornings a week from 6 - 8.30am. 

The memory game task was to memorise a pattern of tyre treads, before working together to move the load along the Lake Dunstan Trail. PHOTO: The Central App 

The surprise fire truck pull required team work and strength after the lake based challenges. PHOTO: Supplied

DHS pupils with the staff behind the BLAST programme at the graduation ceremony. PHOTO: Supplied 

Maniototo Area School has their BLAST longest day coming up on Friday.

For further information on BLAST contact [email protected] 

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