In late March, the second patrol of Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS) students docked their sailboat in Florida to trade their view of coastal blue water for the lush rainforest landscapes of Costa Rica.

This patrol of ten young men are experiencing a unique 5-phase expedition that includes sailing with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School and scuba diving, surfing and sea kayaking with us at Outward Bound Costa Rica. Our partnership provides students with complementary areas of expertise in two drastically different outdoors settings to create a program that neither of our organizations could accomplish on our own.

“You never expect yourself to be out on a boat for 20 days and experiencing things that even experienced sailors have never done,” said Colin, age 19 from Kentucky. He went on to say, “And I’ve been enjoying the difference, the contrast between the life I was living, and this whole new world that Outward Bound has created for me out here is incredible.”

Kyle, age 24, shared Colin’s sentiments in noting, “There are so many things I wouldn’t have been able to do in the bubble of Houston, Texas. I am a city guy, so it’s been really cool getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things.”

This particular expedition of HIOBS explores five outdoor adventure phases: 21 days sailing off the Florida coast, 20 days surfing and earning whitewater rafting certifications in Costa Rica, and 22 days in Panama scuba diving and sea kayaking along the Bocas del Toro Archipelago with OBCR.

After settling into our base a few weeks ago, HIOBS students were eager to learn all they could from their time here.

“I really hope to gain more leadership skills and become a better whitewater rafter, snorkeler, and scuba diver.” said Colvin, age 19 from Florida.

James, age 19 from New Jersey, said, “I hope to gain a better world view. I haven’t really travelled anywhere. This is my first time out of the time zone.”

HIOBS students have already completed their surf, whitewater rafting, and scuba phases, and each of them are feeling the natural Outward Bound way rush of unplugging, connecting with the outdoors, and finding out more about themselves.

Kyle from Texas said, “Another thing that I’ve enjoyed about Outward Bound is that they make it easy to be in the present and enjoy. It has already expanded my mind on the world and it also helped me with confidence and being okay with not knowing what’s next. It offers a lot of perspective.”

HIOBS is now back in coastal waters, not as sailors but as sea kayakers, navigating from island to island in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We’re looking forward to having them back on base again before they fly back home in early May. More photos to come!

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