Young adventurers take part in Rotorua's Get2Go challenge

John Paul College student Leo Schweizer races off for orienteering in the Government Gardens. Photo/Stephen Parker

Students had the chance to paddle board on Lake Okareka, mountain bike through the Redwoods, race around the Government Gardens orienteering, and rock climb at the wall as part of this year's Get2Go Challenge.

Close to 200 teams of keen secondary school students from all over New Zealand signed up for the ultimate adventure racing event and the Bay of Plenty students had their turn yesterday.

A cross between the Amazing Race, Treasure Island and Survivor the day is open to Years 9 and 10 students who, in teams of eight, represent their school.

Event manager Darren Ashmore said the Get2Go Challenge was about encouraging more young people to get involved in outdoor pursuits.

"This is the PlayStation generation and we want to break that cycle a little bit by getting them outdoors for some exercise."

He said it was called a challenge for a reason as teams would have their skills tested across a wide range of activities run in four individual 60-minute races.

"Throw in a spot of problem-solving and the competition really heats up."

In Rotorua, students had the chance to try orienteering, mountain biking, rock climbing and paddle boarding.

"It was beautiful out on Lake Okareka this morning with the students out in the fog.

"The weather has really helped the day, but we would have gone ahead rain, hail or shine."

Each of the challenges was run by local people or organisations.

"These are all essentially individual pursuits, but there's a lot of good team building going on because they have to work together to complete the tasks."

John Paul College was the only Rotorua School to take part and sports director Arthur Faulkner said, when it came across his desk, it was something he knew the students would want to take part in.

"We couldn't pass up the opportunity."

Now in its 13th year, Get2Go is organised by Hillary Outdoors and supported by organisations across New Zealand.

The National Grand Final will be held at the Hillary Outdoors marine base on Great Barrier Island in December, where the top team in the MixedPremier category from each event is invited to represent its region.

"Some teams have certainly taken it more seriously than others," Ashmore said.

"While it's all about having fun there are some who have been training."