Students test mind and body

Hawke's Bay High School students will today be put through their paces in a gruelling one day Amazing Race-style adventure competition.

The annual Sir Edmund Hilary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and Youthtown Get2Go race will test Year 9 and 10 students, competing in 20 teams of eight, in a range of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and orienteering.

While completing the physical activities, students will simultaneously solve brain-teasing problems.

The winning team will participate in an extreme five-day challenge to be held on Great Barrier Island in December.

Outdoor Pursuits Centre manager Darren Ashmore said the event aimed to gets young students involved in the outdoors.

"Our main aim to get these kids having fun in the outdoors," Mr Ashmore said. "But the event is also designed to encourage those students who might not normally get involved in sports to have a go.

"We want to give students of all abilities a taste of the rewards that come from teamwork, leadership, problem solving, physical activity and the outdoors."

Mr Ashmore said the students were exposed to a wide range of physical and mental skills, and got guidance from some of the best instructors in the country.

The location of the challenges remained a secret so no team had an advantage.