Up hill, down dale on 'Coast to Cove'

Michael Sewell.
Michael Sewell.
It was up hill, down dale, for three John McGlashan College pupils as they mountain-biked about 430km from Karitane to Deep Cove, in Fiordland.

In November last year, year 12 pupils Christian Tucker, Seamus Leahy and Michael Sewell set off on a coast-to-coast journey of the South Island - all in the name of gaining a McGlashan Challenge ring.

The McGlashan Challenge is a prestigious award the college gives to pupils who plan and carry out a feat of considerable difficulty, that takes time, talent, perseverance and grit to realise.

It has an aspect of service or charity as part of it, in addition to the physical and psychological challenge.

Those few who successfully undertake this challenge are awarded the McGlashan Challenge ring - the only piece of jewellery permitted to be worn with the school uniform.

Their journey began at Karitane and ended at Deep Cove in Fiordland, encompassing about 430km of metaled back roads and four-wheel-drive tracks that wound across Central Otago.

The "Coast to Cove'' journey made for extremely taxing biking, especially on day four, when they scaled New Zealand's highest public road - Duffer's Saddle, which is 1300m above sea level.

And on day five, they donned hiking shoes and carried their bikes and gear over Percy Saddle in Fiordland.

The entire journey took seven days.

Organising and executing the Coast to Cove challenge was a difficult and sometimes frustrating task, but it was made worth it by the incredible bike journey itself that we got to experience as a group of mates.

To put it simply, the journey was extremely difficult but equally incredible.

As well as encouraging pupils to plan and execute incredible challenges, the McGlashan Challenge also challenges participants to fundraise for a charity.

For their challenge, they fundraised for the Taieri Blokes' Shed and the North Dunedin Shed Society because they are extremely beneficial for their communities.

They provide a place for members to make and create woodwork and metalwork projects.

Often these projects are commissioned in order to serve the community, such as playgrounds and park benches.

A notable project carried out by the Taieri Blokes' Shed was the construction of the traditional fences around Huriawa pa in Karitane.

One of the main demographics these sheds cater for are retiree men, who can utilise the sheds as a place to hone their lifelong craft and socialise with like-minded people, as well as mentor younger people.

 


• By Michael Sewell, Year 13, John McGlashan College


Add a Comment