Aspire

Aspire is a low impact version of our 8 day Discovery course which is suitable for people with a mild physical impairment. Just like any other Outward Bound course, you will experience activities like sailing, rock climbing, kayaking and high ropes, but Aspire is designed to exclude high impact activities such as running or carrying a heavy tramping pack. Past participants include people with arthritis, early onset multiple sclerosis, joint replacements, back injuries and amputations.

Participants need to be able to take part in a full day of activities with rest breaks, comfortably walk a minimum of 2kms over uneven terrain and get up and down 5 flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to sit without back support, for example in a kayak, and be comfortable in and around the water.

When you have lead a very active life and suddenly lose some of your physical strength it is a great loss of confidence, but the Aspire course gives you the tools to take charge of your life again and know that anything may be possible.

Annette

Bookings & Fees

Give us a call on 0800 688 927 to find out our availability for this course.

Not quite ready to book? Send us a quick messageMessage Payment plan and funding optionsPayment options

Course Stories

Hear from people who completed a similar course

Want to know what an Aspire course is like from a participants point of view?

Spending two and a half days alone in the wild heart of New Zealand might be a daunting prospect for most people, but for Danae Lee, who has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Raynaud Syndrome, and arthritis, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Read Danae's story

FAQs

Some of our commonly asked questions answered...

Show Answer What funding is available for Aspire?

Outward Bound runs scholarships for each Aspire course, so keep an eye out! There is full funding available for Work and Income clients, and this includes your travel to and from the course. We also encourage people to book and fund raise for their course - Outward Bound is here to support you with this process.
We never want funding to be a barrier. If you want to come to Outward Bound but aren't sure how you'll pay for it - just give us a call on 0800 688 927.

Show Answer How fit do I need to be for Aspire?

You will need to be able to take part in a full day of activities, be able to walk for at least 2km over uneven terrain and be able to get up and down at least 5 flights of stairs comfortably.
The days can be quite busy at Outward Bound as there is a lot to fit in. You will start early each morning with some sort of exercise and a dip in the water before heading off for the day's activities. There will be scheduled rest breaks on this course, and life jackets are available at all times if you want one.

Show Answer Who attends Aspire?

On past courses we have had people with arthritis, early onset multiple sclerosis, joint replacements, back injuries and amputations.
Aspire is designed for those who are unable to do high impact physical activity, particularly running or carrying a heavy tramping pack.

View all our Frequently Asked Questions