Stingrays | Henri Lyons, Year 5

The sand crunches under my feet as I drag the kayak down the beach. My sister Francesca and our friend Harper are already splashing about in their kayaks. I’m in! I wade out and give my kayak a big shove. I paddle past Francesca, past harper and to the next bay. I know that bay well! Whenever I go there, there are lots of stingrays! Last time I saw fifteen.

I’ve already spotted a stingray. I pull out my spear gun and fire. It’s right on target!

The stingray zooms off dragging me by the gun. I let go of the bright orange paddle and squeeze the gun as tightly as I can. The stingray tows me around a couple of bays. I eventually let go when it brings me back to my bay. Everyone was staring at me blank eyed.

I pick up my paddle and head for shore. I jump onto the jetty and shout out for a towel. My arms are as sore as when you have just had a rugby game.

I walk up the rock hard steps and into the house. It’s so warm and it smells like fresh baking. I sit down and eat some scones. So nice!

Low Ropes | Noah Newton, Year 5

   ‘Noah, you’re first.'

I stare up at the platform. Rock wall up, ropes away. I cling to the wall and move, hand hold by hand hold, up the wall. That seemed easy enough. Now, where to next? From the platform the tyres stand out. They twist and slip under my feet. One more step and I’m on the next platform.

Bomp! I land. Now there are two ways, right or left? Left, I decide. The rope sways and sways until I lose my footing.

   'Woah!’ I say as I dangle off the rope about four metres off the ground. My mouth accidentally lets rip some words I definitely cannot repeat in print.

Twang! The rope pings up and I go shooting down. 

Thud! The shock races up my legs.

Too bad you don’t have suspension springs in your legs!