Who are the Sea Rover Oldsters?

Oldsters was the term applied to midshipmen who had served for four years or more. We needed a term to differentiate between those over the age of 13 from those aged under 13 whom we now call younkers, hence the adoption of the term oldsters.

After attaining rating as boat crew, 13 to 18 year old oldsters (or 8 to 12 year old younkers may then participate in the following exercises:

Cruiseabout exercises afloat conducted by a flotilla, squadron or watch, involving cruising the local waterways in power vessels.
Fishabout excursions change location during the exercise and are intended to allow participants to seek out their quarry.
Lookabout exercises develop observation awareness, the purpose of which is to encourage members to become aware of what is happening around them.
Navspy exercises involve hiding in mangroves or posing as fishermen while spying on participants in predicted log events and require teamwork, co-ordination, observation and self control.
Sailabout exercises afloat conducted by a flotilla, squadron or watch, involving cruising under sail.
Seawatchers programme which offers training in all aspects of amateur and maritime radio communications.

For high spirited, adventurous oldsters, a series of high adventure programmes has been developed specifically for them:

Aqua-naughts programme which offers training and adventure exploring the wonderful underwater world.
Argonaughts programme which offers adventure exploring the local waterways.
Blue Angels display team programme for 16 to 18 year olds
Coastwatcher Spyforce adventure programme based on the operating methods of the WWII Australian Coastwatchers.
Maritime Emergency Response Cadet (MERC)programme which trains young people to respond to maritime emergencies.
Sail Training Cadet programme which culminates in training and adventure aboard square rigged sailing vessels.
Storm Chaser programme which offers training and adventure chasing, learning about and understanding storms.

‘Kraken’ Flotilla has now been established as the first ‘oldster’ flotilla and will commence operating from Sea Rover House on Sundays on 2^nd February 2003

For more information please see our Contact Details.