In the second week of May I had the privilege of speaking to some of the countries promising young adventurers at the Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge held at the Hillary Outdoors Centre near Tongariro National Park.
The last time I was there, nearly a decade ago, I was competing myself in the Cambridge High School teams of 2007/8. To say I was stoked to be back would have been an understatement! I was just as excited as the students to be a part of the action! For those who are not aware, the Hillary Challenge is a five-day competition, involving teams of eight (four girls and four guys) competing in two days of physical and mental problem-solving challenges, a two-day rogaine in the mountains and a head-to-head multisport race on the last day. This year 11 secondary schools from as far afield as Christchurch and Whangarei, competed for the National title in what has become the toughest secondary school event in the country. The first two days had a strong sustainability theme, with 11 rotations that required the students to strategise, plan and execute certain challenges under tight time-pressure. The two-day rogaine started at the Turoa Skifield and the teams made their way back to the Chateau Tongariro Hotel. The top teams covered up to 60km, despite the 100km winds and heavy rain that hammered the region for the majority of the trek. It was what I like to call ‘character-building’ and if my team was anything to go by, they took it all in their stride, soaking sleeping bags and all! To back this rogaine up the teams competed in a 52km multisport race on the fifth day. In the rain they ran 17km through the mud with a 6km paddle in the middle, and ended with a 29km mountain bike. It was a tight battle for the win. Whangarei Boys & Girls High School were victorious for the first time by a slim margin from long-time winners New Plymouth Boys & Girls High School.
It was a few months ago that I contacted the Hillary Challenge organiser, Darren Ashmore, to ask whether I could help out at the event and he asked me if I wanted to speak to the students. I jumped at the chance, not because I wanted to talk to them about my racing results, but more because I wanted to share with them what I had learnt, and how I had grown from my experiences racing and adventuring in the outdoors.
I was super excited to be giving back to a competition that has given me, and many others, so much.
The Hillary Challenge started my love affair with adventure sport and has shaped the direction in which my life is heading. What I think is so special about this competition is that it truly does enrich the lives of the students that partake in it. You only have to spend some time with the students, as I did this year, to see how much living they cram into that week and what they take away from the massive efforts they put in to get there. The true essence of teamwork and cooperation is found when a person has to ask so much of themselves and their teammates in an environment which is so physically and mentally taxing. I believe the personal growth and empowerment that occurs from pushing past perceived limitations in challenging environments is so important in developing proactive and successful young people in society. It was neat to be able to meet such inspiring young people at the Hillary Challenge this year and give them the odd bit of advice along the way!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hillary Outdoors Organisation for providing an excellent education centre for young people to develop important life-skills and confidence through adventurous outdoor activities and for increasing their awareness of the fragility of our planet and the need to protect it by living more sustainability.
It is evident there is a strong passion for adventure sport amongst our youth. Thanks heaps to Torpedo7 for seeing the value in fostering this passion and supporting Hillary Outdoors and athletes like me on our path towards self-discovery and success in the outdoors. The future of adventure racing in N.Z looks bright!
