INTREPID young explorers enjoyed an “unforgettable” sea kayaking adventure in the Swedish archipelago.

Seventeen pupils and four staff from Monmouth School paddled and camped in the wild for five days on a journey which took them to some of the country’s uninhabited and wild granite islands.

Matt Peake, coordinator of CCF adventure training and head of art and design, said: “The archipelago is a beautifully unspoilt wilderness and we didn’t see another person for the first few days in the north.”

The boys also enjoyed swimming and cliff jumping and shared their experiences while munching marshmallows and socialising around the camp fire.

“They displayed excellent team-work, respect and consideration throughout, as evening meals became competitive and morale was always high despite some tiring days,” he said.

The group also visited the Vasa Museum in Stockholm to see the 64-gun warship which sank on its maiden voyage after leaving the harbour in 1628.

The boys prepared for their voyage by loading their double sea kayaks with camping equipment, food, water and clothes.

After an early evening departure from Sankt Anna, the group enjoyed wonderful paddling conditions with plenty of sunshine and blue skies.

They crossed the shipping lane and headed south to the archipelago islands, some of which were inhabited by people with small holiday homes.

After landing at the small harbour of Tyrislot to bolster their water supplies, the group paddled east and towards the open sea.

“Boys took turns to navigate around the maze of unspoilt islands and sheltered from the wind on the leeward side when they needed to,” added Mr Peake.

After five superb days of exploration, the group returned to the mainland where they unloaded their kayaks and returned their kit.

The hungry adventurers made the 45-minute journey into the old textile town of Norrkoping where they placed a large order for fast food.

They took another train journey to Stockholm to stay in a floating boat hostel and enjoyed a cultural tour around the old town with insightful facts from history teacher Dr James Harrison.

A trip to see the Vasa at the world’s busiest maritime museum proved the perfect ending to an awe-inspiring adventure which will live long in the memory of everyone involved, said Mr Peake.