Eco-Challenge Adventures

Eco-Challenge, which could also be appropriately named Inter-House Outdoor Pursuits, took place after the introductory morning of classes on Friday, September 9th.  Excitement built in anticipation of the first inter-house competition of the year that counts for points as the mass of green, red, orange, and blue-clad students and faculty accumulated on Founder’s Plaza, then trickled down the stairs to spread across the waterfront.  Climbing frantically through hula-hoops of the corresponding hue, contestants from each competitive house began by racing on – and tumbling off of – standup paddleboards. As each event finished, the competitor who had just completed a challenge tagged off to the next member of their house team, allowing that person to begin his or her section of the relay.  Despite relatively calm waters, the Whittall/Alex canoe duo ended up in the ocean with their boat on its side and full of salt water. A coach boat came to their rescue, but this delay halfway through the course rendered them at quite a disadvantage for the remainder of the competition.   This year brought a new aspect to several events in the Eco-Challenge, including the paddleboard, single kayak, and swimming: a boy and a girl from each competitive house had to compete in each, instead of the previous requirement of one competitor between the brother/sister house. As a result, the courses for each event were slightly changed, adding a wet exit to the single kayaking and a swim to the paddleboarders’ day.  Although Hope/Privett began the competition singing We Are the Champions, they ended on a less triumphant note when Mack/Ellis swimmers were first to ring the bell tied to the railing of the plaza, signifying their completion of all aspects of the event. After the initial cheering from all present frogs and unicorns had died, an orange tunnel formed to welcome the Rogers/Allard swimmers as they ran second to the finish line and, shortly after, a blue and pink arbour greeted dripping members of Hope/Privett. Alex/Whittall, the competitive house which won the year-long Inter-House competition last year finished, when the dust settled, in last place.  Eco-Challenge is the main opportunity of the school year for students to showcase Outdoors Pursuits skills, and it wouldn’t be possible without Mr. Norman’s dedication and organization – thank you! Hannah R, Mackenzie ‘18