Waimea College brought home a winner’s grin, after battling 11 other top junior NZ teams across five days on Great Barrier Island, taking out this year’s Hillary Outdoors Get2Go Final, powered by Torpedo7.
Watch what went down on one of the event days here:
96 adventurous year 9 & 10 students from all over New Zealand took part in the Final event, which boasted a range of unique problem-solving and fitness-testing activities on one of New Zealand’s most beautiful islands.
On the way to Great Barrier Island.
Great Barrier Island, from the tiny plane.
Similar to The Amazing Race, the adventure sports include rock climbing, orienteering, kayaking, stand-up paddling, mountain biking and a little bit of problem solving.
Waimea College preparing for the high ropes challenge.
This event held its 14th year, where a series of 12 fun multi-sport regional events, culminate in a national Grand Final each year. Teams undertake 60-minute challenges and attempt each in the allotted time. To maximise their score in each task, teams are required to work together, using important team skills such as communication, planning and decision making.
“Some of my favourite activities has been the stand-up paddle boarding and the high ropes.” – Danielle Gibbs, Get2Go competitor.
Preparing the harness to climb the high ropes.
The climb.
Giving some slack.
Making his way quickly up the ropes.
Poppy Scott loved the container tower challenge.
“We had three containers. There was a creek, we had to fill buckets up, and then stand on each other’s shoulders and put water in the tower and raise the yellow duck that was inside, until the instructor could see it.” Poppy Scott, Get2Go competitor.
Once the duck shows, they race to part two of the duck challenge.
Keeping a tight grip on the tower holes while their team member fills up buckets at the creek.
Being at the bottom is difficult but important role.
Once the duck shows, they race to part two of the duck challenge.
Members must walk across the plank without their duck falling off!
“My favourite challenge was the swimming, because I loved being in the water, and just being with my team on the pontoons.” Ella Julian, Get2Go competitor.
Team fun in the water.
The paddle boarding challenge.
Good times.
The indoor challenge saw team members swing one person on a harness to pick up a domino piece and delicately place it on the floor.
Swinging their team mate over.
Carefully placing his domino down, while balancing in his harness.
The final challenge of the day saw all teams racing on kayaks.
Event Manager Daren briefing teams for the final challenge of the day.
Finals briefing.
Teams run to their Kayaks.
Joining their kayaks together.
Taking their kayaks into the water.
Out by the pontoon.
The competition is on.
Fun paddles.
Smiles all round.
Waitmea College were followed by the joint-Whangarei Boys’ and Girls’ High schools junior team in 2nd place, and New Plymouth Girls and Boys High School in 3rd.
Challenge completed! Time for the next one.
Team portrait.
“The Get2Go final was an amazing week on Great Barrier Island with some of the best junior adventure racers from all corners of New Zealand.” Darren Ashmore, Hilary Outdoors Event Manger.
“They showed some very high level teamwork, while pushing their own personal boundaries.”
Human pyramid.
“They have experiences that they will never forget.” Darren Ashmore.
2018 National Finalists
- Waimea College (Nelson/Tasman)
- Whangarei Girls/Boys (Northland)
- New Plymouth Girls/Boys (Taranaki)
- St Pauls/ Waikato Dio (Waikato)
- St Andrew College (Canterbury)
- Whakatane High (Bay of Plenty)
- Taradale High (Hawkes Bay)
- Westlake Girls/Boys (Auckland)
- Mt Aspiring College (Central Otago)
- Fiordland College (southland)
- Onslow College (Wellington)
- Epsom Girls Grammar/Rosmini (Auckland)
