Naralee Jelinek is passionate about connecting and supporting women to enjoy outdoor adventures. Two years ago, she felt the need to reach out and connect with local ladies and from this Wāhine Outdoors was born.
“I work as a builder so spend a lot of time hanging out with the boys. I was keen to connect with some ladies,” explains Naralee, who lives in Tapawera with her husband and three children.
“I was also fortunate to have a family farm close by that us women were able to use as our playground.”
Her love of outdoor adventures, such as four-wheel driving, fishing, hunting, camping and tramping, has been the driving force for the all-women adventure group.
“I started organising day trips and inviting other women, as well as taking my two daughters along, and it just grew from there,” Naralee says.
“We started the Facebook page a year ago and now have around fifty women involved in the group.”
Naralee says that there are women who want to explore the outdoors but don’t know where to start, as well as women who haven’t had many opportunities to be in the outdoors since having kids.
The women in the group have all different levels of fitness so the adventures they go on are suitable for everyone and anyone, including children.
The group focuses on free or low-cost activities.
“The four-wheel driving is always fun and we have a four-wheel drive van set up to teach ladies how to do recoveries and river crossings. Everyone who comes gains confidence and works together.”
Recently the group ran a fundraiser which enabled them to purchase a personal locator beacon (PLB).
PLBs are the most effective way of letting people know that you need urgent help and where to find you.
The need for a personal locator beacon was highlighted by the fact that there is no cellphone coverage at the farm where the women frequently adventure at.
“It’s great not having cellphones and social media around, so many women come back saying they feel refreshed after a break from it all,” Naralee says.
“However, to be safe we need some form of communication so it’s great to have our own personal locator beacon.”
The group welcomes any women from Tapawera and surrounding areas to come and join in.
“We are always doing something different, if you have a love for the outdoors then come hang out,” Naralee says.
