CACTUS is back in action for the remainder of Term 1 !!!
This will be a shorter course of 6-7 weeks so get in early and be part of the team's build up in fitness and strength ready for the CHALLENGE!
Turn up at Bodyworx Gym at 6:45 on Mon, Wed, Friday Ring or text me for more info: 0275558245.
Link at right for what you need to start CACTUS if you are a new recruit.
Don't forget - 10 press ups for every minute late!
Step up - Take the Challenge.
See you at the Gym.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Back in Action!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Hi Ho Tonto/Tomo
There were no Lone Rangers as the CACTI merged into a seemless CACTUS teem to horse around at Punakaiki and delve into the subterranean depths of the Paparoas. Warm up for the big day was a stop off to wind up the hairpin bends of the Croesus Track from Barrytown with a quick descent back to the car. The 2 1/2 hour horse trek up the Punakaiki stretched the novices and exhilarated the more experienced. Lunch on the short trip up to Charleston fueled us for the 5 hour caving expedition into "The One" [Te Tahi]. No worries as the team dropped over the edge of the 40 m Hi Hi Tomo sinkhole. We were committed - no turning back now! Squeezes, drops, chimneys, waterfalls were all in the mix in this active water cave. As Tim put it: "Pain is weakness leaving the human body". The team was strengthened in more ways than one through this awesome day! Breakfast and end of course presentations to wind up the course are on Friday. Meet at bodyworx at 6:45 as usual.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
TERM 4 CHALLENGE - 7 December
This terms challenge will take CACTUS up to the Paparoas. The Big Day will include a 2 1/2hr Horse Trek at Punakaiki and a 5 hr Adventure Caving Expedition in the Te Tahi cave system at Charleston. Entrance to Te Tahi is via a 130 ft abseil down an awesome sink hole. The big day starts at 6am and we will return to Hoki around 8pm. We will throw in a hill challenge on the Croesus track on the way north. This will be a hard out challenge and an awesome day!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
HEADS UP - CACTUS TERM 4!
CACTUS TERM 4 starts Wednesday 16 Oct.
Get ready to commit to an awesome program!
This course will run mornings - 6:45 - 7:45 am.
Showers available at the gym afterwards.
Optional breakfast also provided afterward.
Thanks to Bodyworx Gym for hosting CACTUS - we have an fantastic base for our program.
Remember for those committed to the course CACTUS sponsors Gym sessions outside cactus time after 2 wks. And for those seeing through the term the CACTUS Challenge will be on Nov 16 a week before the senior school breaks for exams. Check out the blog for photos from these amazing events!
Intro sessions for Term 4 are under way now. Come and try out a CACTUS session.
Bonus:
Shamrock Creek, Kawhaka extended session. (6 am start).
Next Wed - Sept 25.
Friday, August 23, 2013
AUGUST UPDATE
CACTUS Trustpower Youth Development Award runner up.
CACTUS to feature in 2014 Tindall Foundation Calendar
CACTUS in recess Term 3
Runner up 2013 Trustpowercommunity awards!
CACTUS has come regional runner up in the Education and Child/Youth Development category. Thanks to Trustpower for their fantastic acknowledgement and generosity.
CACTUS is to feature on the Tindall Foundation 2014 Calendar
Tindall were our incredibly generous sponsors for 2011 - 2013 CACTUS Challenges. Their generosity empowered CACTUS to both challenge and reward the young people with some awesome activities for these end of course events!
CACTUS in recess - Heads up for Term 4
CACTUS is in recess in term 3.
John is out with an injury.
We are aiming for CACTUS to kick into gear for Term 4.
Keep an eye out!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
AFTERNOON CACTUS is on!
STARTING WEDNESDAY JUNE 5
CACTUS is shifting to afternoons 3:30 - 4:30.
Get the word out and encourage all your friends.
If mornings didn't suit you or yesterdays coldest night in 45 years was too much here's your opportunity to take the challenge after school.
Get strong, fit and motivated!
Click on the link at right to find out what you need to start CACTUS.
I'm out of town till just before CACTUS on Wednesday so txt or ring my mobile of you need more info.
We've been challenged to compete against some North Island CACTUS groups in the Tough Guy/Touch Girl Challenge in Rotorua in August.
This just might be on for Hoki CACTUS where it all began.
See you on Wednesday - 3:30!
Monday, April 15, 2013
A NIGHT AT THE BALLROOM / TE TAHI / BLACKWATER
Just awesome! Tramping through the night to the Ballroom Overhang. Abseiling into the Te Tahi (The One) Cave System and Blackwater Rafting under the glow worm milky way! WHat a great way to spend a night and a day! We set our from Bullock Creek just before 6pm along the Inland Pack Track at a good trot into the fading evening light. It was well and truly night as the track entered the creek beds that fed us into Dilemma Creek before emerging into the Fox River. With eels underfoot and the Milky Way draped over the limestone cliffs of Dilemma Gorge we made good time constantly alternating between rocky river bed and fording forwarding to the Ballroom overhang for a good feed and a good nights sleep. Dawn saw us grab a quick breakfast before exploring a side creek up to its emergence from beneath the cliffs and then the Fox River caves on the way out for lunch at the car park. Up to Charleston for the caving expeditions: Blackwater rafting for Team 1 and Team 2 headed down Hi Hi Tomo, a 40m abseil into the Te Tahi cave. THe pictures say it all - double click on the albums at right to have a good gander. This was an awesome team this term who really stepped up to a great challenge! Breakfast at 7am at the HCF church building on Wed morning guys. Pip's organising at big feed!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Over the Tops to Top Tuke
Three intrepid CACTI made the tramp to Top Tuke over Easter. Though Tuke Hut eluded us due to a spot of sickness in the team it was an awesome 2 nights and 2 days. Great to see these young guys step up and take the trip under their control. From the time we forded the Mikonui they made the decisions with just a few clues when needed. With one party suffering from the onset of flu they made the call to bivy up for the night at Truran Saddle rather than take the ascent to Dickies Spur at 1300m. A fresh start in the morning saw us at the start of Dickie Ridge mid-morning before descending through the cloud to the top Tuke. The guys made the call to turn around just before we reached the bottom rather than throw 2 big days on a sick team member. So, back up to the ridge and about about 50m visibility on the tops. The hut finally popped out of the mist and we settled in for a good feed, the serenade of rain on the tin roof and a big stack of zeds. Morning saw a reasonably clear panorama of Top Tuke surrounded by Dickie, Saw Tooth and Galena ridges before we headed back out to the road end. Awesome effort by the men - great team work, good calls, the occasional roar of a stag. Nice couple of days! [Double click on the side show at right to open up the album].
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Hi Hi Tomo! Underworld Challenge!
CACTUS goes underground! 12 & 13 of April. Friday afternoon CACTUS will tramp into the Paparoa Ranges through the sheer cliffs, caves and sinkholes of awesome limestone country to overnight under The Ballroom Overhang. Saturday, we heading further north to Charleston and adventure caving with Norwwest Adventures where we will abseil down 40 meters into Hi Hi Tomo and the Te Tahi cave. Once below ground we will navigate our way through dry rift passages and active water ways with cascades, waterfalls and squeezes to test new found skills in the subterranean passages of the Paparoa National Park. Other activities including the standard CACTUS run around the Devils Cauldron at Pancake Rocks will round out our day before returning home Saturday evening. Take the Challenge! CACTUS Challenges are all day or overnight expeditions to test the physical and mental toughness of CACTUS survivors and the CACTUS team's cohesion forged over the term.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
TRIBUTE TO ANA
Ana (Anastasia) was active in CACTUS in 2008 and 2009. Coyly introducing herself as "Bob" in her first session, this was how I greeted Ana ever since! Though a bit camera shy there are a few pics below with which we remember her: Atop Mt Tahua, hauling the ute, the Long Walk of 50+ km from Greens Beach to Hoki (including that cold Waitaha crossing) and stretcher bearing up Shamrock Creek.
Ana was a much loved part of the CACTUS family showing enough grit to commit to multiple CACTUS programs, strong team commitment and a friendly and compassionate nature.
Every life is precious and full of potential. As a legacy to our fellow CACTI, we can determine to live our lives mindful of the potential she had yet to fulfil. We will miss...
AWESOME ANA!
Friday, November 16, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, November 5, 2012
WO-AH... Whataroa! The Challenge is on! Fly in Friday night and raft out Saturday.
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!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
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.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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.
Monday, August 13, 2012
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.
Monday, July 30, 2012
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!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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
Friday, June 1, 2012
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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