WHATARAFTA!

What a Raft Trip on the Whataroa! This was an awesome trip with the guys at eco-rafting. After bringing it forward half a day due to an incoming front we flew in for lunch a bit further up from the Gunn River confluence for a first class lunch in Josh's riverside kitchen. 

Many rapids, 3 portages, some pristine gorges and a taste of canyoning (photo) later  we arrived at the Perth confluence for the night. A great meal complete with camp-oven-self-saucing chocolate pudding to round off the day, a great night under the stars and we were ready for the raft out in the morning.

This was a fantastic trip to finish off the year and celebrate the great effort by the kids. Check out the slideshow on the left. Double click on it to open up the web album.

Term 4 continues for those who can make it through exam times into early December. Exams take priority. Any new recruits who want to check out CACTUS ready for next year are more than welcome. 6:45 am at Bodyworx Gym. Showers and breakfast available afterwards.

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WO-AH... Whataroa! The Challenge is on!  Fly in Friday night and raft out Saturday.

I've been trying to make this trip happen for about 5 years and it looks like we'll finally pull it off!
This will be an awe-filled day in the splendor of pristine New Zealand Wilderness. The Whataroa River's turquoise hues cut our route through majestic gorges in the lush rain forest and provide over 20 rapids to test our stamina, skill and team work. Josh and the experienced guides from Eco-rafting will make this a fantastic day. A big thanks to the Tindall foundation for making trips like this possible!

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Wrap up / Heads Up

WRAP UP
1. Last Session this arvo.
2. Breakfast / presentation tomorrow. Pancake cook up. Bring your own topping.
Batter hits the pans at 7:30. Best pancake competition. HCF building 26 Kaniere Rd.
3. RFL results updated on RFL Results page.
4. BIG THANKS to Tindall Foundation for sponsoring our Challenges this year - the Fox trip was just fantastic!

HEADS UP
1. CACTUS will be mornings next term. 7:45 - 8:45am MWF.
Optional breakfast and showers at Gym afterwards. Get your day off to a head start.
2. Recruitment drive. We're after more CACTI. Especially locals.
Press gang your friends, associates (even enemies) into to checking out CACTUS!

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Fantastic Fox Glacier Trip! The Flying Foxers are grinning from ear to ear. Awesome day, awesome guides from Fox Glacier Guiding and awesome team. Just like clockwork. Pip and Alan were ecstatic the way everything just ticked over and the CACTI were able to challenge themselves to their limit on the ice faces, including abseiling down into a crevasse and climbing back out. Even the guides were impressed and joined in the CACTUS 5 at the end. Whirling around the glacier in the chopper put the icing on the cake of a great day. Maybe next term we'll succeed in going down under... Slideshow and link to photos will be posted later in the day.

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Flying on Fox

What didn't go down must go up! We made Croesus hut (awesome stuff team) - pretty flash dunny we stayed in! But... ....we didn't get really down under. No No Hi Hi Tomo! So.... we're heading up. Heli Ice Climbing Challenge on Fox Glacier! This will be an awesome challenge!!! I'm green. I can't make it! Sorry guys. Alan and Pip will be taking you up the glacier. With your awesome guides and the combined experience on snow and ice of Alan and Pip you have to be in good hands! Link to the permission form for the Flying Fox form is on the right. You need a google account to get this I think. some of you have it emailed allready. Enjoy!

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HI HI TOMO, DOWN WE GO

CACTUS Challenge - 7th and 8th September: CACTUS will descend into Hi Hi Tomo, a 130 ft abseil into the cavernous mouth of the Te Tahi cave system! This part of our challenge will be with the experienced team from Norwest Adventures! Breathe in –this is “a full‐on exploration style activity in a superb sporty active water cave complete with abseils, climbs, crawls and squeezes.” Our 5 hour underground adventure will top off an overnight excursion in the Paproa area. This will involve bush travel and an awesome night out (in the bush, that is)! Be prepared for surprises. Get the permission signed and returned ASAP - Get it here.

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RFL / Challenge Date

Awesome! Goed Gedaan! Wunderbar! Fantastico!

Results from the RFL are here.

You need to qualify in all 3 exercises to make the grade.
G means you did girl's press ups which leads to a ? if you made the grade by my estimate.
The running is the main area to look to improve on for end of term team.
Remember, you are racing yourself and the clock - being as fast or faster than anyone else means NOTHING!

Check out the NZ Army site here.

Target date for End of Term CHALLENGE:   Fri/Sat 14/15 September.
Set these dates aside. Challenge may be all day Sat or Fri night Sat.

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CACTUS CATCH UP

CACTUS Term 3 is off to an awesome start with over 10 young people stepping up for the course.
Its not too late if you sitting on the fence - take the plunge and leap into CACTUS!

Blogging catch up! On the right is a youtube clip and a slideshow of the Term 1 Challenge.  Click on the clip or the pics to open them up. Thanks to the Tindal Foundation for sponsoring the Challenges again this year!

The team will be putting their creativity together again for a physically and mentally demanding challenge for the end of the course. So stay committed and focused for the term as we prepare!

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AFTERNOON CACTUS IS BACK!
Term 3 is switching back to afternoons...
Mon Wed Fri . 3:30-4:30 pm.
Bodyworx Gym as usual.

If you've been waiting for the afternoon program to come back.
Here it is. Seize the opportunity.

CACTUS wants new blood.
If you are 13 and up or a little younger and tough enough to step up for 9 weeks of solid commitment - CACTUS needs you!
There's a real world out there so lets get real!
Tear yourself away from the computer games for some real action.
Take on some physical and mental challenges. Refocus on life.
Get your face out of facebook and face hard, cold, wet reality - you could be LOVING IT!

START - This Friday

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Calling all CACTI!!!
JOHN IS BACK!
Alan and Pip have done an awesome job running CACTUS while I've been away and now where back to the full power with the complete team.

I'm looking to drag in all the CACTI who are hanging around in the background for a full on finish to the term and an AWESOME CHALLENGE. (Did someone mention helicopter?) It's not far away so if you've been in hiding kick yourself out of bed and greet the dawn! Turn of your computer games, stack some zeds and experience real life again.
It's up to you - make it happen. See you at the Gym, bright eyed and bushy tailed...

If your a new recruit CACTUS is running Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 6:45 - 7:45. Showers and breakfast after at the Gym for those who want them. Give me a call or turn up on the day. (Click the "What do I need to start CACTUS" link at the top right.)

Just a reminder that CACTUS sponsored gym use is only for those participating in the course so look out if your attendance has dropped off and your found in the gym!

Its good to be back! Bring it on!

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CACTUS 2012!

Step Up for the Challenge!

CACTUS starts this Friday Feb 3.
6:45 - 7:45am Bodyworx Gym.
Showers and breakfast available afterwards.

This term John and Pip are back on deck, the army is stealing Matt and Alan Stevens is returning to CACTUS.
We have an awesome depth of experience and range of skills to help every CACTI discover their self-motivation, exceed their limitations and break out to new horizons.
We're just itching to get young people out of their comfort zone so lets go for it!
Check out the links on the right for more info and what you need to start.
Contact for this term is Alan 7556466, 021371515
See you Friday!

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