Six hardy contestants braved water bombs, drizzle and slippery underfoot conditions in a lively horizontal bungy event as part of Orientation Week in Dunedin yesterday.
The contest, part of the Otago University Students' Association Orientation activities, was completed successfully at the Otago Museum Reserve but a planned sports day at Logan Park had to be cancelled.
Among the contestants in the A.J.Hackett bungy competition, which was part of the annual "fresher" competition, was Otago University student Tom Gilchrist, who was second in the men's section.
Nic Christie won the men's section, and Elise Provis was first in the women's section.
Daniel Sharp, the main organiser of the sports day, said he had had some mixed feelings about having to cancel the sports day, which was to have involved four sports: netball, volleyball, touch and soccer, and had been two months in the planning.
The event had been cancelled because the wet weather and slippery underfoot conditions could have resulted in participants being injured in sports such as touch.
Conditions would also have been unpleasant for participants and organisers did not want newcomers to the city to have a "negative" experience, he said.
The sports day would have involved about 2500 participants and onlookers, 60 referees and other support staff and all of the university colleges of residence, Mr Sharp said.
Otago University Students' Association communications co-ordinator Alasdair Johnston said although the sports day had been cancelled students could attend other events, including last night's toga party.
Orientation: What's On?
TODAY
1pm: Les Mills challenge (freshers)
1pm: Lunchtime concert, OUSA balcony
3pm: Roadkill cooking competition (freshers)
9pm: Music gig, Union Hall
TOMORROW
10am: Les Mills challenge (freshers)
10am-4pm: Clubs and Societies day, Albany St
Noon: Clocktower race (freshers)
1pm: Karaoke in fancy dress (freshers)
1pm: Lunchtime concert, OUSA balcony
6.30pm, 8pm and 9.30pm: Hypnotist, Teachers
College auditorium
FRIDAY
10am: Les Mills challenge (freshers)
1pm: Abseiling off science building (freshers)
1pm: Lunchtime concert, OUSA balcony
3pm: Burger-eating competition (freshers)
7.35pm: Highlanders game, Carisbrook
9pm: Gig, Union Hall
SATURDAY
9pm: Gig, town hall
