Adventure Challenge Success
Posted Jan 05, 2010
After a long and busy term of work, studying and exams, what would be the ideal way to spend your Christmas break? For 8 students in 2 teams from Chengelo School, in Mkushi, Central province this is just the beginning of “The adventure of a life time.” – Daniel Parsons of Chimwala Zambia
The Adventure Challenge for Schools is an Adventure Race hosted by Stanford Lake College in Tzaneen, South Africa. For the past 6 years at the end of their academic year Chengelo teams have traveled the 3-day journey to Stanford Lake to represent Zambia in the Competition. This year was no exception with 2 teams calling themselves ‘Chimwala Zambia’ and ‘Tonga Bulls’.
The Adventure Challenge for Schools event is a response to the ever-growing popularity of Adventure racing as a sport in Southern Africa. It is giving young students the chance to compete and show their adventurous spirit and abilities whilst at the same time developing in character as young men and women.
The event this year took in some of the toughest bike trails, highest hills and game reserves of Limpopo Province, SA. Covering 300km in 5 days without the aid of motorized transport would be tough enough even without natures challenges.
A big day, Day 1. 80 km of hilly tracks through pine forests on a mountain bike, arriving a beautiful hunting camp when welcome rest is for the night. Day 2 brought challenges in the form of Problem Solving, Orienteering, Assault course and Rock Climbing. Testing both mind and body.
Days 3 & 4 of the race including nighttime were unassisted. The teams had to carry everything they needed themselves to last for the day. Riding their mountain bikes over big mountain ranges and through heavy thick sand in game reserves. “On day 3 we woke up at 2am and finished at 20:30. We raced for 16 hours and then the next day started the race at 4am. It was the toughest thing ever” – Choolwe Lourens of Tonga Bulls.
The last day was full of short sprints, canoeing, running, mountain biking again and finally a swim complete with high water jump just before the finish. To motivate themselves the teams said: “If you are going through the hardest place….Keep going!” – Paulo Graca of Chimwala Zambia. With energy drained but adrenaline on a high both of Zambia’s teams came in proudly.
Chengelo School teams have become well known in the competition for not only their talent but also their attitude with how they confront challenges and showing compassion for their teammates and other competitors. Cheering the competition on as they race to their limits and helping another team by riding 10km back to the start to get medical help for an injured person are both examples of how Chengelo Teams strive to be the best. This is testament to their Christian attitude, love for Christ and ultimately love for others. “The best attitude to have was to take the bull by the horns and give it all we had” – Lubanji Maseka of Chimwala Zambia.
This has been rewarded in the past, by recognition at the final prize giving. This year was no exception. The Tonga Bulls came away proudly with 3rd place over all, no small achievement as none of the team had ever competed at the event before. Chimwala Zambia walked away with 2nd Place over all, Orienteering trophy, Rock Climbing trophy, Tribal Challenge trophy and the Team Spirit award. This again shows the adventurous spirit and positive attitude of Chengelo Students.
Congratulations to the Chengelo Teams that did so well in this year’s event. And a big Thank you to all the support and prayers from parents and friends. Chengelo will continue to take part in the event and would welcome other schools from Zambia to take part as well.
To find out more information or if you are interested in sponsoring Chengelo teams representing our nation to take part in this years event then please contact Ndubaluba.