Lucozade Energy Challenge 2009

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 7: Race Day has arrived

2009-09-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

After a few days of hardcore practice sessions to nail the basics, the tactics and the skills they need, our winners are ready to go...

So with that, we boarded the boat to take us out to the Yacht for the penultimate time. The next time we set foot on shore, we'll either be winners... or losers.

The race itself will consist of seven legs, well - let's just hand over to the team shall we?

And with that, we lost the game.

But! And this is one almighty BUT!!! - Rob took us to one side after the race and said:

"Guys, I have to tell you something. Last night we (the staff) had a meeting about today's race. We race like this all Summer for tourists and cruise ships and, if we want to, we can make either yacht win whenever we want to. We could've fudged it today, we could've *let* you win and you wouldn't have known.

But, having seen the team training all week. Having experienced first hand how well you all worked together and how much effort and dedication you were all pouring into this challenge, we decided that today's race would be 'for real'. They threw everything they had at us today and still we came *that* close to beating them. I'm so proud of you all for doing what you did, you have no idea how close you were... half a boat they beat us by, we sure gave them a run for their money. Well done, all of you."

How about that? We were racing against a fully experienced team, who was captained by the most-experienced skipper in the bay (and arguably the world) and we came THAT CLOSE to beating them!

Amazing.

Well done Team Lucozade! A well won, and worthy second place.

Lucozade Challenge: Complete.

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 6: Let's go Snorkel!

2009-09-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

After a long day sailing yachts out at sea, there's nothing that's quite relaxing like an afternoon of snorkeling.

Keeping the energy up after working all morning (given that our winners could've opted to sit by the pool all afternoon), is no easy task. But once again, proving their worth as Lucozade Energy Challenge Winners, our team step up accordingly.

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 5: Out at Sea

2009-09-16T16:10:00.001-07:00

This morning has been awesome. All the basic theory we went through on shore all became suddenly very real the moment we got onto the boat. The diagrams that Rob had shown us on his whiteboard now made much more sense and, after just a few sails up and down the bay, we're feeling a lot more confident about the Race on Wednesday.

Tomorrow we have more training ahead of us. Now we have the basics down, it's time to talk tactics.

But first, let's find out from Rob himself (and the winners too) exactly how they all got on today..

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 4: To the Yacht!

2009-09-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

That over there, on the right hand side, is our yacht: The Stars & Stripes. Part of the winning syndicate of yachts that won the 1987 Americas Cup.

And today... we're allowed on it

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 3: Back to school

2009-09-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Strangely enough, before we're allowed ANYWHERE NEAR a multi-million dollar, Americas Cup winning yacht boat, we have to go through some rather intensive training.

Admittedly, this isn't so hard when your classroom looks like this:

Heh, anyway - this is Rob Brinkworth.

Rob is is in charge of our motley crew over the coming days. Under his strict tutelage will we be able to beat the other yacht when it comes to the big race on Wednesday.
So we're all listening... VERY CLOSELY

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 2: Say hi guys! :D

2009-09-15T11:55:00.001-07:00

Lucozade Challenge: Yacht Racing Post 1: We're on our way! (at last)

2009-09-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Gatwick to meet our new winners, Al, Jon, Clare and Trevor. They're a little bit excited.. well, I say 'a little' - I actually mean A LOT.

You see, unlike the rest of the winners to date these four have had a bit more time to prepare themselves mentally for the challenge ahead. If you remember, this trip was postponed due to an impending hurricane... Yes. So no danger there then.
Much.

Our destination today is St Maarten in the Caribbean, via Antigua. I don't know about you, but when I hear 'Antigua' I then think of 'Tortuga' and then I think of Pirates of the Caribbean...

I can't see Johnny Depp flying around chasing ghosts on an F1 Americas Cup Winning Yacht though, can you?

Report back soon guys...

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 15: Coming to the end

2009-09-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's day of glacier climbing, today we're to head down the mountain. Walking the 2500m all the way down and that means an early start...

Today is the last full day in The Alps and these guys have been very worthy winners.

Congratulations guys! Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing - is COMPLETE!

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 14: Glacier Climbing

2009-09-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

The first few days we were here we walked across mountain tops, scaled stone walls and reached the summit of 3600m.

None of that however, has involved climbing glaciers. Today, that will change!

We set out after breakfast to get to the ice (which moves by the way!) as quickly as possible, and when we arrive - we're not disappointed...

Once we find a safe (read: not *that* dangerous) part of the glacier to practice our technique on, we each take it in turns to learn new skills in climbing, ice-axing and crevasse-lowering...

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 13: A tour around Mont Blanc

2009-09-13T10:42:00.001-07:00

There can only be photos to show you this...

WOW

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 12: Up to the lodge

2009-09-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's gargantuan efforts in rock-climbing and energy-sapping activities it's nice to know that today we can take it easy a little bit with a short helicopter ride up to the next lodgings... A few of us a bit under the weather today, I think it might've been something we ate - so a day or rest and relaxation is much appreciated...

Hurrah for Helicopters!

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 11: Making it back alive

2009-09-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 10: The Long Way Down

2009-09-13T10:12:00.001-07:00

After spending all day reaching the summit, so we begin the long way back down again..

To keep us safe Eddie, our guide who you met earlier, has to stay at the top...

...while we go down ahead of him. Lee, who was at the end of the rope at the start now finds himself at the beginning, feeling his way down and forming a path for all of us.

Lee was a Legend and helped us all out on the way, guiding our feet and hands as we went down after us.

Nice one Lee.

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 9: Interviewing the Guide

2009-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 8: We made it!

2009-09-13T09:59:00.001-07:00

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 6: Arriving up high

2009-09-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

Arriving up at the third and final station, 'Punta Helbronner', we realise the sheer magnitude of the task that lies ahead.

Packing up our kit, our lead guide, Eddie, explains to us the importance of the equipment. The crampons... (these bad boys)

...are for keeping our footing on the ice. Next up is the rope; each of us is tied to another three. Fortunately Me, Paul and Lee get tied up with uber-guide (and suspected Mountain Goat) Eddie.

Which leads me onto the final piece of essential equipment: Your friends. I've known these winners for less than 24hrs and yet all of a sudden we're tied to together and the relying on each other to not fall off and pull us all to our doom.

Trust is going to come into play over the coming hours and days, you can just feel it.

Onwards Gentlemen! Onwards!

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 5: Up, Up, Up!

2009-09-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's day of training, this morning we're to head high up into the mountains for some more intense, more difficult rock climbing.

Thing is, to get up to the part where we need to be we need to traverse not one...

Not two...

But THREE different cable cars!

Yes, we really are THAT HIGH.

3500m high in fact.

The views from up here, are spectacular:

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 4: Day One - Complete

2009-09-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 3: Say Hi Guys! :D

2009-09-02T07:01:00.001-07:00

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 2: Do More

2009-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

"DO MORE" screams the tagline on this blog, DO MORE is indeed something we've been doing. The flight over here was a measly 1hr and 15mins. Amazing really given the travels that have been laid before our previous winners, however - because there's less time spent in the air, that means there's more time to spent... DOING MORE!

No sooner are we dropped off at the hotel, are we back on our feet again and out the door to embark upon our first 'training' trek up the mountain. It's 13:15 local time and these lads drove down at 2:30am this morning from Birmingham. 'Hard core' doesn't quite do it justice..

Up. We. Go. !!!

Lucozade Challenge: Glacier Climbing Post 1: Meet the Winners!

2009-09-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

Meet Mark, Paul, Chris and Lee.

As our profile piece says these guys are experienced climbers, all in training for Kilimanjaro in September. So this competition is perfect timing for these gents as they prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.

Our destination is Entreves, Geneva. According to our itinerary, the hotel we're staying in for half of the trip (we'll come back to the other half later), is known as the Hotel Auberge de la Maison and it overlooks Mont Blanc.

Nice.

It's 8am, we're boarding in 15mins. The flight is an hour long and we're to start our training almost immediately.

And there we were thinking it was going to be easy.... ;)

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 16: Fishing on the Zambezi

2009-08-30T03:02:00.000-07:00

You may notice that there isn't really an abundance of fish in any of the pictures below, that'll be because all we caught today was the Sun. And I'm not kidding.

So, after being in the boat from 7:30 this morning - the lads decide to call it a day at lunchtime and go exploring instead. To where?

Victora Falls.

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 15 - Kicking back to relax

2009-08-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

After a long day rafting, we're all back to the hotel to chill out and discuss the days' events. The rapids we faced today were on the low part of the river. According to Hippo the upper rapids may well be open for Monday. So until then, we chill out and relax.

Later that night Brent introduces some of us to the team we're racing on Monday. Oh yes, that's right - did I not mention? Today was just a practice run for the BIG RACE on Monday. Us. vs Them.

...and they are equally as up for it.

But until then? We FISH! :D

Winners Announced

2009-08-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Chris, our fifth challenge winner! He and his friends, Mark, Lee and Paul are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Chris Greene
Age: 29
Job: Works in IT for Land Rover
Hobbies/Sports: Mountain climbing, Trekking
Anything Interesting: Recently climbed Pyrenees twice in order to accomplish the trip which they had to abandon on the first attempt. In between climbs he climbed Snowdon and was able to complete 5 peaks in just 1 day. by at 5am and finishing at 10pm. He is climbing Kilimanjaro next month with Mark.

Mark Hipwell:
Age: 39
Job: Works in IT for Land Rover
Sports/Hobbies: Mountain Climbing / Walking
Anything interesting: Completed each of the mountain climbs with Chris. Both guys completed these climbs as training for their Mount Kilimanjaro climb next month.
How does he know the winner: Workmates

Lee Chaney:
Age: 27
Job: Steel Erection Engineer
Hobbies/Sports: Plays rugby and rides motorbikes.
How does he know the winner: Old school friend of Chris.

Paul Esherwood:
Age: 32
Job: Runs a recruitment company
Hobbies/Sports: Martial arts
How does he know the winner: Childhood friend

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 14 - They did what?!

2009-08-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

So there we are, cruising along the Zambezi nice and slowly, heading from one rapid to the next when all of a sudden some bright spark comes up with the idea of doing a cliff jump...

Yes. That's right. A CLIFF JUMP.

"Oh, it's perfectly safe..." says Hippo "...just be sure to jump AWAY from the rocks."

Well, that's nice and clear then. Jump AWAY from the rocks. Just in case you had any intention of jumping TOWARDS the rocks, here's a nice friendly reminder not to do that.

Just watch this already...

Challenge: Yacht Boat Racing Post 0 - We're on hold!

2009-08-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes. Under normal circumstances (me, along with) your Lucozade Energy Competition winners would be winging their way to the Caribbean right about now to take part in the next challenge presented to us all - Yacht Racing.

However, these are not normal circumstances, hence the blog post number '0' I guess.
Basically, word reaches our ears that there is a storm coming and - what with these America's Cup Winning F1 Yachts being worth a few million dollars a piece...

The team at St Marteen have reported that a ‘tropical depression’ (e.g., a hurricane) is due to hit the island mid next week. They are unsure of the severity as yet, however as the yachts the Lucozade Team racing are F1 and of high worth they can’t risk taking them out on the water. The insurance terms are so strict, that even if the weather warning is only mild – medium, the boats still have to be removed from the water 3 days before the storm is due to hit and placed in a safe location.

So basically, the yachts have to stay safe. Damn.
We're currently working with the organisers to re-schedule the challenge for the middle of next month but in the meantime, we're going to push on with the updates from Zimbabwe while we look forward to the next challenge in the competition - Glacier Climbing in The Alps!

Watch this space - more updates to follow :)

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 13 - Time to hit the rapids!

2009-08-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

The top top part of the Zambezi is closed (at this moment in time - more on this later) so we're, today at least, only attempting the high numbers

That means rapids 11 through 23. Needless to say, these rapids are just as hardcore as the lower part...

Check THIS out

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 12 - Heading down to the river

2009-08-17T05:56:00.001-07:00

Something they don't tell you about the Zambezi is that it's in the middle of a gorge, which of course - you have to traverse to get to.

This video kinda says it all.

WOW.

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 11 - The Middle of Nowhere

2009-08-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 10 - 6am WAKE UP CALL!

2009-08-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

We're to be in the truck for 7:30 where we're to meet Hippo, our Zambezi boatman guide for the week.

Driving through the town we ponder what lies ahead. The anxiety is building and there's a real sense of trepidation as we pull into Savannah Lodge, the place where our guides are to meet us.

Not soon later, we've been briefed and the team are... Well, I'll leave it to them to explain how they feel:

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 9 - Entering Zimbabwe

2009-08-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

Victoria Falls is situated along the Zambezi river which in turn separates Zimbabwe from Zambia, you can actually see the falls from either side but the Victoria Falls Hotel is situated on the Zimbabwe side (so not actually Zambia at all then).

So as we cross the Zimbabwe border (MORE VISA FORMS!) you can tell the excitement is building.

James - who if you remember was initially excited about the safari - now just 'can't wait to get there'. The amount of travelling these guys have done over the past 48hrs is immense alone, now we head to the Victoria Falls Hotel...

Our challenge, awaits.....

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 8 - Leaving Namibia

2009-08-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

Early start this morning, before our transfer to Victoria Falls (we'll come back to this later - I guarantee) the winners have been scheduled some more safari action - this time via 4x4.

But first, something that is becoming a recurring theme in our time so far here (48hrs now?) we have to cross the border (again) back into Botswana - passport - stamped...

WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF PASSPORT PAGES!

Safely across, we drive onwards into Chobe national park...

...AND A FRICKIN LION!!!!

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 7 - Speedboat Safari

2009-08-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Not too long after 'checking in', Ralph - our hosts tell us that whenever we're ready, we'll be taken back out onto the Chobe River for a 'Speedboat Safari'.

"Its 16:20, can you be ready for five?"
"Er... Speedboard safari? We'll be ready *in* five."

:)

No words. Seriously. No. Words.

Just photos!

Later, after watching the most beautiful Sunset...

...we head back to the lodge, for dinner, chat, laughter and thought ahead to the challenge that lies ahead.

"White Water Rafting eh? Good luck lads' our host says with a grin 'I'd love to just sit and watch you guys try that..."

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 6 - Ichingo Lodge

2009-08-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight we're staying at Ichingo Lodge on the Namibian banks of the Chobe River.

A simple yet beautiful bubble of normality amongst the crocodiles and bush here and Kenny, the competition winner, is happy to show us around...

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 5 - Speedboats a go go!

2009-08-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

To Namibia!

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 4 - Four Countries

2009-08-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

So yeah, that whole "let's just get to Zambia" thing? HA!

Well first of all, we're not headed to Zambia. ZIMBABWE is going to be our final destination. But first, we're to spend a night in Namibia - more on that later...

We arrived in Zambia reasonably safe and sound, but it was the onward journey that we didn't know about. Our plane arrives in Zambia (fill out visa forms), we get picked up by coach and driven into Botswana (fill out some more visa forms) and then we catch a boat into Namibia (yet even more visa forms).

Before we do that however, we stop at the harbour where, from here - you can see four countries meet, but I'll leave it to our driver, Tiz, to explain

Winners Announced

2009-08-11T06:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jon, our fourth challenge winner! He and his friends, Clare, Trevor and Al are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Jon Morris
Age: 33
Job: Marketing Manager for an industrial electronics firm
Hobbies/Sports: Windsurfing, skiing/snowboarding, mountain walking, tennis, archery
Interesting Facts: Nothing recent, I once taught the lead singer of Magnum how to do archery, does this count?
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Sailing in blue water and skies, learning how it's done from the pro's
Biggest Fear: Not afraid of anything, bring it on! (except spiders, and hoping there won't be many at sea)

Clare Stock:
Age: 32
Job: Credit controller for an industrial electronics firm
Hobbies/Sports: Pilates, yoga, walking, socialising, spending time with my daughter
Interesting Facts: Giving birth to my daughter a year ago was interesting, but I don't think you want to know much more about it!
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Getting away from grey England and trying something I've never done before
Biggest Fear: Hoping that I can be as much of a team player as everyone else

Trevor Hann:
Age: 36
Job: Travel Industry
Hobbies/Sports: Enjoy travelling, sailing, tennis, football and scuba diving
Interesting Facts: I started learning to sail in Sydney 2005 and have held an ambition to sail across the Atlantic ever since, so I really need the extra practice
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Hopefully winning the regatta and celebrating with some of the local rum
Biggest Fear? Losing the regatta, sinking the yacht and finding out they have run out of rum

Al Lawrence:
Age: 33
Job: House Husband
Hobbies/Sports: Kayaking, Walking
Interesting Facts: Not a lot recently I’m afraid until this!
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Sailing on an Americas cup yacht!!!!
Biggest Fear? Sea sickness

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 3 - In Transit

2009-08-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

First stop, Johannesburg.

Ten hours of flying South African Airways from London Heathrow whereupon we catch a connecting flight onwards to Livingstone, Zambia. At the time of writing we're on the second leg of this trip. It's about 11:30am local time and in about an hour we're to meet Cornelius, who will be our host and guide for the latter part of the trip.

I say latter, because the first two days we spend here we're going to be staying in Chobe National Park - which, according to the itinerary is...

"located in a unique setting where four different African countries meet, (Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe), the park itself boasts one of the largest concentrations of elephants and buffalos in Africa as well as other spectacular game viewing"...

'Magical' doesn't quite cover it.

I'm going to stop reading the information guide now, I can see what is planned for when we arrive and to be honest, I don't want to spoil the surprise.

:)

I'm glad the winners are getting a couple of days to relax, it looks like the tail end of the week is going to be *extreme*, in every sense of the word.

At this point I would normally write something typically get up and go like 'Bring. It. On.' but as I said, that can wait..

For now.. let's just get to Zambia!

See you all very soon.

Challenge 3: White Water Rafting Post 2 - Say Hi Guys! :D

2009-08-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Challenge 3: White Water Rafting Post 1 - Meet the winners!

2009-08-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

Stuart, Kenny, James and Wullie (aka William, not Will. Not Willy. Not Wally. Wullie. Say. No. More.) We're just about to jump onto our South African Airways flight to Jo'burg.

We're headed (back) to Africa for Lucozade Challenge number three: White Water Rafting on the Zambezi.

This set of winners are - as you may've read already - are freshly graduated from Edinburgh Napier University and have already shown that they are well up for it, what with the amount of energy sparking around between the four of them...

It's actually a wonder we made it through customs..!

This is their next big challenge before they break into the big wide world after finishing Uni, so it looks like it's going to be a good one! :)

;)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 22 - The Journey Home

2009-08-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

"Let's roll out!"

Today we ride down the mountain.
Down, down, down, down down down down down down we go!

======

There is an accompanying video to go along with this final post from Wyoming, but it seems to be having problems uploading... Stay tuned folks and we'll get it put up as soon as possible...

In the meantime...

======

We arrive safely (just!) 'down below' just in time to make it for dinner...
Dinner reservations have been made at Trapper Lodge not far from The Hideout
The food is good, the wine is good and above all... the music is good.

I mentioned before that Llion was a touch shy when it came to being in front of the camera.
But..

When you give the man a guitar...?

VIDEO

Sorted. What a perfect way to end the perfect trip...

Nice work lads, Lucozade Energy Challenge: Cattle Ranching in Wyoming is finally at an end. Cattle Wrangling, Roping, Herding and Driving all COMPLETE.

Excellent work all round.

Remember people!

Do More.

'til next time! :)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 21 - This isn't on the schedule!

2009-08-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this, then you know why you're here.
You're here for the Lucozade Challenge.
The Lucozade Energy Challenge in fact.

The Challenge on this trip is Cattle Ranching. However, this group seem to be set on finding new challenges that simply go above and beyond that of the pre requisite demands.

In my previous post I mentioned the trek to Shell Lake.

But. As much as these photos feed my imagination - these are not why we are here.
Oh no. Shell lake. Remember that?

If you forget - 10,000 ft up in the Big Horns - Shell Lake is many, many things... however, 'warm' is not one of them. So when I talk about the 'extra' lucozade energy challenges that the group - and this part I cannot emphasise enough - that the GROUP insisted on fulfilling themselves was taking a dip in Shell Lake..

Legends.

That night Stewart tells us tomorrow we're riding back down.

"Ok, cool. How far are we driving down first?"
"Aww no, we'll ride the whole way. Head out about 10, we'll get down there for around 4ish maybe? Shower then dinner about 6? What' do you say?"

"Yeah*, dinner sounds nice..."

*Forget every part of the conversation that happened from this point forth, all we heard was six. hours. in. the .saddle."

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 20 - Wilderness Adventure

2009-08-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today we're riding up into the wilderness. Stewart has told us about a place called Shell Lake, situated some 10,000ft above sea level, it's natural lake hidden away in the mountains some two hours away from the entrance to the wilderness. So we pack up the horses and set off..

We'll get to the good photos in a second but it has to be said that today we say our first MOOSE!

Amazing creature, so graceful...

We unload the horses and start riding, Shell Lake is hidden away up in the Big Horns and it takes some time to reach our destination.
We passed many, many other natural lakes on the way up, including this one that had horse-shaped rocks gently lapping at the water's edge.

Perfect or what?

When we arrive at Shell Lake it's gone 2pm and we're starving. As lunch stops go, this is by far and away one of the best ones yet...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 19 - The Upper Hideout

2009-08-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Later, after rounding up the last few waifs and strays, we head further up and into the mountains, all of our bags have been transferred to The Upper Hideout and we're about to discover our new home for the next three days.

At 8,500 ft up - the air is thin here and the views are... stunning.

And, after working hard all day out in the Big Horn Mountains - we sit out on the porch, watch the Sun go down and tell tales and sing songs until the early hours...

"This is a dream come true..." says Llion, after singing a few songs himself.
Plans are made for Friday, a duet maybe?

We'll see... ;)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 18 - Easily Forgotten

2009-08-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

During all this ranching and horse riding it's very easy to forget exactly where you are. I mean, yes we all know we're in the good ol' US of A.
And yes, we all know we're in Wyoming.

But.

The fields, meadows and hills that we're driving them through?
They're in a MOUNTAIN RANGE.

Seriously, you totally forget how high up you are and it's only when you reach the crest or ridge and you look up and realise that you can see for nearly 100 miles in every direction.

It truly takes your breath away.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 17 - Try, Try Again

2009-08-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

Rounding up cattle, take two.

After our first attempt (and subsequent failure) at herding the Heffa, Stewart and Stanley join us to give us a much-needed guiding hand/paw.

And would you believe it? Slowly but surely we get the hang of it. Driving Cattle through meadows, over hills and into valleys, all the while on the look out for any strays that we need to pick up on the way - in the end we herd a little over 220.

Two Hundred and Twenty.

This. Is. Not. Easy.

Herding this amount of lumbering beasts across such rough terrain needs extremely high levels of physical energy, sharp concentration and impeccable teamwork.

It's like controlling running water I guess, moving around it to stop it spilling over into the wrong direction and gently, slowly coercing it to the lake you want it to go to.

End of the day score? +201.

We did good today, as Stewart mentioned previously. It's no big deal if we don't get them all, the fact that we moved so many was a surprise.

Teamwork. All about the teamwork.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 16 - The Concept

2009-07-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Stewart Reed explains exactly what it is we're doing up here... :)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 15 - Cattle Herding 'Yearlings'

2009-07-30T06:24:00.001-07:00

So yesterday Daf left us saying that today we would be herding 'livelier' cattle..
Well, he wasn't kidding - shall we see how they got on?

Waking up at Snowshoe Lodge

Today we had a lay in, 8:30 was the call. As we were already up in the mountains an early start was not required. Today Stewart tells us that there are 487 'Yearlings' out that he needs to drive to the right field.

From what we've learned so far, it would seem that herding/driving Cattle is quite like crop rotation. You move the cattle to one field where the grass is fresh and ready and, once that is gone, you move them on again. Each time allowing the previous field to grow back again.

It must be said, after yesterday's drive, we're feeling pretty confident. However, there is a huge difference between the two tasks. Yesterday, the beasts were Bull. Old, slow and docile. Happy to be poked and prodded in the right direction without much moaning or attempts to runaway.

Today's beasts are one year old heffas - 'Yearlings'. We're told that it won't be as easy and... as we pull up along side the first set we find, it's clear that they're very alert and very easily startled.

Our first encounter went a little something like this:

Yeah. We lost 19. End of session one score: -19.

Damn. This is harder than it looks.

Winner Announced

2009-07-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kenneth, our third challenge winner! He and his friends, James, Stuart and Wullie are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Kenneth MacKay
Age: 22
Job: Student (just graduated)
Hobbies/Sports: I do a bit of running (ran a couple of marathons) and go to the gym regularly. Enjoy doing a bit of travelling when I have the time and the money.
Interesting Facts: Used to play American Football for about 10 years before giving it up at the start of the year.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? I mostly look forward to the pure adrenaline rush when we hit those rapids!
Biggest Fear: Anything that lurks under the water!

James Wright:
Age: 21
Job: Student (just graduated)
Hobbies/Sports: I LOVE playing football, get a regular get for the local side. I do a lot of gym work and running and am interested in most sports related activities.
Interesting Facts: Recently cycled the distance of the Tour de France in the gym.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? I mostly look forward to THE WHOLE THING!!!

Stuart Reid:
Age: 21
Job: Student (just graduated)
Hobbies/Sports: Enjoy playing rugby with the team in town. I hit the gym in my free time, which I was able to do a lot lately. Also love movies and TV series.
Interesting Facts: Plays golf.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? I mostly look forward to the Safari which will surely be very cool!
Biggest Fear? Crocodiles!!!

William 'Wullie' Cullen:
Age: 22
Job: Student (just graduated)
Hobbies/Sports: Like football, whether its playing it (outside or computer) and watching it.
Interesting Facts: Can't live without my TV shows and going to the cinema!
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? I mostly look forward to The Safari!
Biggest Fear? Drowning!

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 14 - Driving Cattle!

2009-07-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Challenge 2 - Driving Cattle

We arrive at the foot of Shell Valley, and unload our cargo. First the horses and then the Bull.

"Keep behind them..." is the only advice Stewart gives us.

'Livelier cattle' - yeah, we'll see about that shall we?
Thankfully, after all that driving, it wasn't too long until we arrived at Snowshoe

Aaaaand relax.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 13: The Slow Burn

2009-07-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

You might be sat there at home, or in your office or even in fact on the train reading this and thinking:

"Hey, this is no 'Energy Challenge', these guys have it easy!"

And to an extent I can see why you might think that but, the lessons that we've had throughout the few days we've been here have been no walk in the park. Also, our guide, Stewart is dropping the winners straight into the deep end with this training regime.

Normally it would take weeks and months before anyone on the ranch lets you do these kinds of things. But Stewart knows these guys have to be fit and ready before we head up into the Mountains and he's not taking any risks. If any of the winners fail at the tasks laid out, they don't go up. It might seem like a walk (or ride - heh) in the park, but trust me - these guys are pushing themselves hard.

This post is called 'Slow Burn' and here's why:

Over breakfast this morning I asked Daf how he was feeling about the impending mountain drive.

"Slightly apprehensive, a little excited... it feels like we've been building up to something and now.. well, it's here."

Slow burn indeed. The winners in Namibia were able to start throwing themselves down sand dunes almost on day one.

This time round, the winners need a constant and *consistent* supply of energy just to condition yourself for the days ahead.

Today the real challenge is just beginning.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 12 - LET'S MOVE OUT!

2009-07-27T05:22:00.000-07:00

6:30 Wake up call

Today we're leaving The Hideout and we won't be returning 'til Friday. We're spending the next three nights out in the Big Horn Mountains at elevations of around (and above) 8,000ft... We're packing all we need for the day and our bags are being driven ahead up to Snowshoe Lodge.

7:30 Breakfast.

Peter, the Ranch Manager, explains to us our route across the mountains of where we'll be driving cattle and where we'll be staying each night.

We discover that we're only spending the one night at Snowshoe Lodge, the other two we're away we're up at The Upper Hideout, at 8,900ft about sea level - you can kinda see how the lodge got its name.

8:30 Time to leave.

Stewart picks us up with the pickup and we all manage to cram into the cabin. Our horses are in tow and it's time to head off. Stewart tells us we're to drive to the foot of the Mountains, saddle up and then travel the rest of the way on horseback.

But first, we need to round up some Bull to take with us.

These bad boys are BIG.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 11 - Catching Cattle

2009-07-27T04:09:00.000-07:00

"So, boys... " - says Stewart - "...time to test your rope skills. Go on... GET!"

We open up the gates and let some cattle into one of the larger pens. Stewart equips us with different rope this time. The clips on these come off easily so - as soon as we lasso ourselves a live one, the rope breaks free and the cow can walk away without distress.

On that note, it must be said that everything at The Hideout is done with the welfare of the animals involved at the top of the agenda. Cow, horse, bull or even dog. All the animals here are loved and cared for.

These guys know their stuff and it's good to see.

Speaking of things that are good to see - check out this roping photos:

Love that Llion's running away in this one... Heh

Put your back into it Wayne! ;)
Excellent work all round lads...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 10 - Looking Ropey

2009-07-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

Post walk/rideabout on horseback, we headed back into the Barn to lasso us some (wooden) cattle...

It must be said, Wayne was a natural.

Rope work is hard work, so after lunch - Stewart took us on a ride down to the local saloon, 'Dirty Annie's'

We were there, out on the porch and Stewart mentioned using our new rope skills to catch some *real* cattle...

"Really?"
"Yeah, it could be fun..."

We're getting used to Stewart's low southern drawl..

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 9 - How to unsaddle your horse, with Stewart & Daf

2009-07-27T01:22:00.002-07:00

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 8 - Saddle Up!

2009-07-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

First time on horseback for all of us. Jon, Wayne, Daf and then Llion (aka The Lion)

Today the training begins.

Yesterday we picked our horses, today we learn to ride them. Stewart, our resident cowboy guide and instructor for the week, shows us the ropes (shouldn't that be 'reigns'?). We practice mounting, trotting, stopping and then dismounting.

One by one we trotted around the barnyard, practicing all that we'd been taught.
Most of us got there in the end, others... well, they just stood there. Fun to watch though ;)

I've been made to promise that I won't mention the one fall that happened that day. No one got hurt, Stewart just got some dirt on his hat. That's all.

;)

Believe it or not, that was only half the morning, but before we move onto anything else, we need to learn how to unsaddle our horses...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 7 - Rockin' on down to the Rodeo

2009-07-21T05:52:00.001-07:00

After the epic shopping trip (those boots took forever) in and around the local town of Cody (I say local, as in - it's only an hour and a half's drive away. Yep. This is Big Country out here). It's time to see how the pros do it and rock on down to the local Rodeo.

Cody is a small town founded by Buffalo Bill Cody himself and suitably enough is "The capital of Cowboy Rodeo."

Handy that, given that's why we're here :D
They even look the part too, isn't that right Wayne?

Settling down in the stalls, the Rodeo kicks off slowly at first with cow chases, then lasso compeitions and finally, Buffalo riders.

The level of skill involved to compete in some of these tasks is quite something and although there is a long week of hard work ahead, it's nice to see everyone relaxing (as well as secretly take notes) before we head off into the mountains later this week.

Also. Tomorrow? The hardcore training begins...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 6 - Boots? Check (ish)

2009-07-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

And what about the boots?
Well... Let's take a look shall we?

That was a Lucozade Challenge in itself!

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 5 - Horses? Check

2009-07-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

The important four up there are Warhorse, K C Jones, Hulk and 2 Dogs

Picking them was relatively easy... actually catching them? Not so much ;)

Heh... They got there in the end ;)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 4 - Hats? Check

2009-07-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

The guys didn't *have* have matching hats, but it turned out they just wanted to look that way...

Looking good gents! :D

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 3 - Decisions, Decisions...

2009-07-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Today is our first full day at The Hideout Ranch.

Located in the small town of Shell (Population: 50), Wyoming - the ranch stretches across over 300,000 acres of the Shell Valley and sits at the very foot of the Big Horn Mountains.

This morning the group awoke on a glorious - and surprisingly warm - Sunday morning with three very large decisions to make.

Three decisions that will effect them for the rest of the Challenge.

Three decisions that no man (or woman) should ever rush.

Hat.
Boots.
Horse.

Can you guys which one took longest? ;)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 2 - Welcome to The Hideout

2009-07-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Challange: Cattle Herding Post 1 - Meet the Winners!

2009-07-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

Howdy folks!

Time to meet the Lucozade Energy Cattle Ranching Challenge winners, I give you

Jon, Daf, Llion and Wayne

Welcome to Wyoming!

Jon, pictured far left, is the lucky chap whose name was drawn from the lucky Lucozade cowboy hat just over a week ago and in a heartbeat, he picked his friends, Daf, Llion and Wayne as his cohorts to join him out here in the Wild, Wild West.

Big Sky Country

I took some time to catch up with them all on the flight over here to the good ol' US of A and it seems like 'Doing More' is something these gents are used to back home.

A quick rundown of the challenges they've completed to date reveals some amazing achievements:

The Tough Guy Challenge
The Royal Marines Commando Challenge
As well as sporting hobbies like: Canyon-ing, Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, Coasteering and Snowboarding!

There was I thinking the odd game of frisbee could get strenuous. These guys take 'hobbies at the weekend' to the next level!
Which in turn, certainly makes them right men for the job ahead: Cattle Driving through the Big Horn Mountains.

Good luck everyone, it's going to be a great week :)

Challenge 1 - Coming to the End

2009-07-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

Challenge 1 - The End

We end the day racing up and down the slopes; boarding down and quad-biking back up again.

Non-stop.

Again and again and again.

As dusk sets in the amount of energy we've burned through since we first arrived here in Namibia is simply unbelievable. Every day we set out to do more and every day, with the aid and assistance of our awesome hosts, we did.

Manzoor, Foyce, Shofat and Suhel have had the time of their lives and have got memories to last them a very, very long time...

The following day we're up at 5am to start the long 24hr journey home...

And as the Sun rises over the Hartman Valley, the lads pause for thought to take in the last six days of action...

Lads, it's over to you...

Challenge 1 - Sandboarding: Top Tips

2009-07-19T04:39:00.002-07:00

As the trip was drawing to an end, I made sure I caught up with Raymond, our awesome Sandboarding instructor to see if he had any tips on how to be a good sandboarder...

Nice one Raymond!

Challenge 1 - Dries' first time

2009-07-19T04:39:00.001-07:00

We mentioned before about out awesome guides right?
Well, on the very last day we finally convinced Dries to have a go on the sandboard...

This is what happened...

GO DRIES!

Challenge 1 - The Himba Tribe

2009-07-19T04:22:00.000-07:00

Lunch comes and goes and word is that we're not going straight back out to the dunes. Clement has spoken to some of the locals and thinks it might be ok if we swing by and visit a nearby tribe.

The Himba are a local tribe that have inhabited the surrounding areas for hundreds upon hundreds of years...

Moving between Namibia and Angola as the seasons change, international borders do not mean much to this nomadic people.

To be allowed into their 'camp' is a humbling and completely new experience. Clement briefs us on how to behave...

"Do as I do. Always address the elders first and remove your sunglasses. Do that and you will all be fine..."

It's not really spoken of what will happen if we don't do anything Clement tells us but as ever, we listen carefully and do as we're told...

From the camp we can see Eric & Raymond. They've found some good dunes and our boards are calling..

Challenge 1 - We Were Promised Quad Bikes

2009-07-19T04:07:00.001-07:00

Today was the best day of the challenge by a long way. Admittedly the guys have been guilty of saying that nearly every day this week (and quite rightly so).

Today being the last full day of the first ever Lucozade Challenge though, the team here had something very special indeed lined up. In fact, there's so much to get through I doubt very much I'm going to fit it all into one update!

We'll begin at the beginning and, if you've been reading any of these udpates from the start then you'll know how this starts...

That's right!

*A 06:30 call from Eric! :D*

We're up, showered, fed and dressed by 07:15 and by 7:30 we're on our way to the next part of the Challenge.

That's right. Today, at long last, we get to go on the Quad-bikes that Eric & Raymond have been promising us all week! WOOOO!

The aforementioned duo pack up the 4x4 and drive on ahead scouting for new dunes for us to hit later.. that's right, they've got the sandboards (from Swakopmund - flown in with us) packed up onboard too.

Clement gives us a 30mins training course on the quads, sign language is learnt (which gear for which slopes, speed up, slow down etc) and the next thing we know --- we're off.

The awesome thing about racing out into the dunes (especially out here in the middle of nowhere) there are no roads. Like, none. The only tracks are the ones you make and well, you can pretty much go anywhere...

Racing through fields at 60kph, wiping dust and sand from your goggles, searching the red light of the quad in front.. hearts pounding, thumbs squeezing on that acceleration trigger just *that little bit tighter* - we go go go through the desert..

I guess it might be boring if the journey passed without event so when we turned a corner to find Manzoor trying to find new ways to park his quad, we all stopped to laugh (and take many, many photos).

Finally we find the 4x4 and once again, we're hittin' the dunes, sandboard style...

We board for what seems like hours when Eric stops us and yells, "Time to head back, it's nearly lunchtime..."

"WHAT?"

"It's 12:30, the Sun's getting too high. We should head back soon. It's ok, we'll come out later. Lunch first, rest. Then back again later. Ok?"

It dawns on the group that getting up so early has its advantages after all.

Challenge 1 - Serious Relaxing? HA!

2009-07-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

If you've watched the video in the previous post you'll know that upon arriving at Serra Cafeme all we had in mind was relaxation. However, that was not to be the case. No sooner had we checked in and unpacked were we whisked away on a Crocodile safari.

Clement took us out on the boat and up and down the Kunene, in search of our 'prey'.

One thing that has to be said about Clement, he is the master of the understatement...
Some choice examples include:

"One rule: Stay away from the water. Aside from that, we'll have a lovely time!"

"Keep your limbs in the boat or you might lose one to a croc and that might be a bit awkward later on."

"Don't stand up while we're moving. If you fall in, a croc'll grab you and then you're in for an interesting time..."

Interesting? Yeah. Just a little.

Of course we heeded his advice and we all came back in once piece. You'll be pleased to know that our search was not in vain. With Clement's skill and our willingness to cooperate, we got very up close and personal with some very, very large crocodiles indeed.

Challenge 1 - Paradise Found

2009-07-14T12:56:00.001-07:00

Challenge 1 - The Road to Serra Cafeme

2009-07-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

We load up yet another 4x4 and Eric introduces us to the guides from Serra Cafeme (our eventual destination in Hartmann Valley), Clement, Johann and Dries - pronounced 'Dreece' - help us pack up and we head off towards our final stop on this monster Lucozade Challenge.

We've grown to trust Eric & Raymond since our first encounter way back in Walvisbaai so no one asks about where we're headed. We're know we're going somewhere but we're really unsure of the exact location..

The question: "What's this place called?" is asked, the response? A very casual

"Oh this place? This place is so remote it doesn't even have a name..."

There is laughter and then, silence. We really could be on another planet. It's that different, so alien and yet strangely familiar.. We sit back and take it all in. Suddenly we all feel very, very tiny upon this huge planet of ours.

We break out some cold drinks and play Michael Jackson on our mobiles to pass the time (much to the enjoyment of the locals). We still don't know what to expect to next.

The 4x4 climbs steep hills and descends into rocky valleys continually, up and over.. round and down.. where are we going?

Soon. Our questions are answered. We pull up on a side road and Eric points.

"There." he says "That's the Kunene River."

We look, and gasp...

The Kunene River runs along the border of Namibia and Angola. Serra Cafeme is one of the remotest camps in the whole of Africa and it's easy to see why.

Somewhere down there is our home for the next two nights.
Wow.

Just.... WOW.

Winner Announced

2009-07-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jonathan, our second challenge winner! He and his friends, Llion, Dafyddl and Wayne are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Jonathan Parry
Age: 32
Job: Safety & Compliance Manager
Hobbies/Sports: Downhill mountain biking, coasteering & canyoning.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Wide open spaces.
Biggest fear? Rattlers.

Llion Pritchard:
Age: 33
Job: Geoscientist/Business Development
Hobbies/Sports: Recently climbed Mt Kinabalu in Borneo and last year was stuck in Houston, Texas during Hurricane Ike.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Some great photography moments, singing by the campfire, the wildlife.
Biggest Fear? I guess it will be coming home at the end :)

Dafydd Warburton:
Age: 33
Job: Urban Designer/Landscape Architect
Hobbies/Sports: Running, cycling, travelling, any kind of adventure related mission really.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? The whole damn thing, in particular being out there in the wilderness, scenery, wildlife.
Biggest Fear? I have only ever been on a horse once before, and the horse stood on my shoe and broke it, so I'm quite scared of getting on again or worse. I found this useful bit of info through which should come in useful: "Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction".

Wayne Harrington:
Age: 34
Job: Product Manager
Hobbies/Sports: Running, camping, mountain biking.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Dressing like a cowboy.
Biggest Fear? Falling off lots.

Challenge 1 - "Um... Where are we?"

2009-07-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Throughout the challenge so far we've seen some amazing sights and moreover, flown over some truly breathtaking landscapes. However, the one thing that they all had in common is that occasionally, just sometimes, you could make out a small amount of civilisation. Be it a small camp of some kind or just a car cruising along a road in the desert...

...there was always something to remind you that people were not too far. The Hartmann Valley however, was a completely different story. We were told that's where we were going, we were told that we'd be sandboarding again real soon (we certainly hoped so, we all saw the boards go on the plane ourselves) and we were told that we would be staying in one of Namibia's 'Premier Lodges' - of which there are only five in the region.

But as we touched down onto the airstrip, we really, really could not see any trace of life... anywhere.

Challenge 1 - Daybreak over Damaraland

2009-07-14T03:37:00.000-07:00

The wild animals of Namibia are early risers it would seem and, if you want to be in with a chance to see any of them, you have to get up *before* the crack of dawn.

Once again Eric gives us a wake up call. This time it's for 5am. It's still dark outside when we rise and the fire is being rekindled for breakfast.

Time to tuck in...

Raymond walks over, grinning... He tells us that he had Lions outside his tent last night and he'd heard them walk through the camp while we slept.

Only then did I realise what I'd heard the night before. I double and triple checked to be sure, even go so far as to attempt to repeat the low rumbling sound myself.

Raymond still grins... "Yes James, Lions. Straight through camp."

After a hearty breakfast (including another first for Manzoor: Marmite) Eric picks up the Lions' trail and we head out on the 4x4 to see if we can find them.

It's cold out here in the morning and Eric tells us the strong winds are keeping the animals away and out of sight. We follow the trail for as long we can but to no avail.

The lions it seems, have moved on.

We head back past camp. All our bags are loaded up and we start the long drive out of the concession. We spot the same animals as we did yesterday and as the wind dies down, they seem more and more abundant.

Arriving back at the airstrip we load up our Cessna, Elsa - our pilot - is flying us out to the Hartmann Valley.

The past 24hrs have been a complete whirlwind. The camping, the terrain, the animals, the experience... it seems that the group has bonded on a whole new level. A collective sense of awe has descended on us all and, as we board the plane to our next destination, we really have no idea what to expect.

Challenge 1 - Arriving at Camp

2009-07-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

When Eric said we'd be camping out in the wilderness tonight, he meant it. I've been camping before, but only ever at music festivals. Nothing and I mean *nothing* comes close to this.

As far as the eye can see there is nothing but land. We drove for four hours to get to this destination, we are literally in the middle of nowhere.

We grab some refreshments from the cool box (there they are looking after us again), pick out our tents and then jump back in the 4x4. Eric knows of a canyon nearby that we can investigate and it's only about 20mins before we're jumping back out again to take more photos and do some exploring.

This Concession truly is a natural wonder. People, wildlife and animals all co-existing in the same space and a lot of a hard work goes into keeping the Concession clean, healthy and perpetually as nature intended.

After Sundown we head back to the camp. The fire is just getting going and dinner will be served soon. We sit round, break open some drinks and start talking about what we've seen that day. It transpires that the boys have never been camping before so this entire trip is turning into a week of firsts for them all.

First time on a sandboard, first time to Africa, first time they'd seen an Elephant... on that last point, one member of the group shed a tear he was so moved by it. I won't embarrass him and say who. But we didn't let him forget it that night and I doubt very much we will for the rest of the trip either ;)

We sit up for hours telling stories and bonding over the campfire, Eric recounting wild encounters with the four-legged locals all the while all of us trying not to think about what creatures might be circling the site as we speak.

That night, I heard the low rumbles of something nearby and it was only in the morning when we (I wasn't the only one to hear it) discovered what it was....

Challenge 1 - Palmwag Lodge

2009-07-13T02:03:00.000-07:00

This is the Palmwag Lodge, a 5,500 sq km private Concession out in the North of Namibia. A region of great contrasts; stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys, interspersed with rocky outcrops.

This will be our home for the night. There's no guesthouses out here. No showers, no pool and certainly no sand dunes.

This is animal country and today we're hoping to catch a glimpse of the some the natural inhabitants of this vast expanse.

Eric gives us a short safety briefing (mainly consisting of: "Don't get out of the vehicle..." and "...just do exactly as I say." repeated a few times).

He knows what he's talking about, we're not about to argue.

:)

Manz, Foyce, Shofat and Suhel all profess to never having seen any animals in the wild before. So to see the joy on their faces when they get up close and personal with these guys is a treat for us all.

These photos from the day capture just a small portion of what we managed to see...

Oryx:

Springbok:

Ostrich:

Zebra:

....and a LOT of Elephants! :D

Next stop... Camp!

Challenge 1 - Destination: Damaraland

2009-07-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

By now we're used to Eric giving us our pickup time before bed so it is of no surprise when we're told to be ready for 7am. We have an 8am flight to catch and if we're not on it, it WILL leave without us.

Today is Tuesday, we've been here three days now and already it seems like we've been here a week. Always laughing and singing, the early starts aren't anything these boys are going to get used to anytime soon, but they always greet the day with a smile.

Arriving at Swakopmund Airport

Today we meet our very own personal private plane over the coming few days: the Cessna 208 'Caravan'.

It's a bit small no?

Boarding this tiny aircraft could very well be a Lucozade Challenge in its own right. The plane is minute and we all just about manage to cram into it. All cosy, we're giggling and joking as Elsa explains the safety procedures without a tannoy.

We're off to Damaraland. Raymond's hometown. He's excited as we are to go as Naimiba is such a large expanse of land he rarely gets the opportunity to go back and visit. The boards have been packed away for now. The next couple of days is safari time!

Challenge 1 - Keeping the Pace

2009-07-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Stopping for a break, we must extend the first of what will no doubt be many huge thank you's to our guides here in Namibia.

For some reason me and a few of the other lads all thought that we might lose weight on this trip. What with getting up at 6am every day, cruising into the dunes at sunrise and hurtling ourselves down the slopes all day; we all thought we'd be burning through the calories like there was no tomorrow. Out in the desert there's no corner shops, no mini-supermarkets and certainly no bars or pubs, so we all have to rely on our guides for each day to keep us fed and watered throughout.

You can dehydrate very easily out here in this arid climate, because of the cool breeze you hardly notice and our companions here keep a close eye on us to make sure we keep our energy levels up and our danger levels down. We're already pushing ourselves to the limit with this challenge, the last thing we need is to collapse from heat exhaustion.

But when I say they're looking after us, we really mean it

:)

After the banquet we're back on it. Hard, fast and raring to go.. Higher and higher still. Raymond scouting ahead, the competition winners following close behind. We're all picking up some technique now. Of course, we have a great teacher but these boys are fast learners and they're not stopping for anyone.

We're in such a rush to get to the next big dune that we leave the boarding wax somewhere along the last stop... We've been driving for an hour, even if we could go back - we doubt very much we'd find it. The wax is a very important part - something which I'll come back to in more detail later but - it keeps the board slippery and smooth for getting the best speeds on the fine sand.

No Wax = No Speed. And suddenly, we have no wax. Damn.

Manzoor, refusing to give up, experiments with sunblock. Smearing on the underside of his board he leaps down the dunes at a lightening pace...

"Superb!" says Eric, "We have a wax replacement, come quick! Let's get boarding!"

We continue for a half hour or so more, but the sunblock is in short supply and our hunger for the next rush is relentless. As dusk begins to settle we high tail it back into town to buy some more wax and make our way back to the training slopes where we started on day one, to board the hills we know as the Moon rises above us.

Tonight we ache. But it's a good pain. Later, we dine. Then head to bed well before midnight.

It's an early start tomorrow...

Challenge 1 - Big Ones

2009-07-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah. Herman wasn't kidding.

Today we have seen some of the largest 'sandscapes' that exist in the entire world. These dunes are unique to Namibia in that they don't change shape or 'walk', so our guides, Herman and his buddy Wally, know these lands like the back of their hands (luckily for us).

We drive for what seems like an age, Herman's been driving across the dunes since he was seven years old - "We start doing things at a very young age here in Namibia" - he tells us, before educating us about the fauna and wildlife that is indigenous to the area.

This man loves his job and more than that, he loves Namibia. We're here to take on the extreme, but it's important to remember that these lands are carefully looked after and the conservation of the entire desert is paramount.

Needless to say, as a result, not one piece of litter has been left behind.
By any of us.

After some awesome off-road action, we finally find the dunes we're looking for.
Describing something of this magnitude is not easy, they have an almost regal quality to them, and I type this to you now they tower over us and we can only marvel at their majesty.

"Enough messing about lads, let's get going!"

Raymond scouts ahead for the big ones, we kit up and throw ourselves down the slopes after him... Yeah we crash a few times, but that's the whole point!

"Don't be afraid of the speed" .,.he repeats, so we go again - faster and faster still...

As I said, words cannot express the amount of adrenalin pumping through our veins attempting these hills. Energy?! We're living on the stuff...

Check these out...

So. Much. Sand.

No really, SO. MUCH. SAND.

That is some slope...

Preparation

Do More? Oh go on then....

:D

Challenge 1 - Digging Deep in the Desert

2009-07-07T10:47:00.001-07:00

"We're leaving at 7:30am. Be up. Be ready. We've a long drive ahead..."

They were the last words that Eric said to us before we headed to bed late last night. We'd been out to the local seafood restaurant, The Tug, to sample some of the best tastes of Namibia. Much merriment was had and, although a few were aching slightly, you could tell that the sandboarding bug was getting to us all.

Thing is with sandboarding, you're boarding on *sand*. Which means it's not abrasive, it's not COLD and the absolute worst you can walk away with at the end of the day is that you walk away covered in sand. Some would argue that if you didn't leave the dunes covered in sand, you're probably doing it wrong ;)

The day before, Foyce (pictured above) had already established himself as king of the spectacular crash (having managed to have his face hit the sand almost as much as his board), but every time he got up, smiled and walked right back up to the top for the next run. He wasn't the only one either, in fact - never has the phrase 'Do More' meant so much to these guys.

"Again! Again! Do we have time for one more?"

So at 7:30 this morning (well, more like 8:00 - but we'll come back to that later) we set off for Namib Naukluft Park. Eric & Raymond had already picked up our boarding equipment so all we had to do was split the group into two 4x4s ready for the off-road expedition into the desert.

Yes we ache a bit from yesterday. Yes we've got a couple of hours before we get there but oh YES we cannot wait to hit those dunes...

Quote of the day so far this morning goes to Herman, our driver and guide for today:

"Those dunes from yesterday? They're speed bumps compared to what you'll ride today fellas... Speedbumps."

Signing off with a quick photo of the road ahead... WOW!

Challenge 1 - The Sands of Swakopmund

2009-07-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

When we last left you, the crack team of hardcore sandboarders (to be) were on their way to meet Raymond & Eric... and, as you can see - met them they did.

Shofat, Manzoor, Suhel & Foyce - meet Raymond & Eric

This photo, taken not soon after we arrived in Swakopmund, was the teeniest of tiny moments where we had a chance to stop and rest. Eric - pictured bottom row, right - made it clear when he said:

"You guys, stop 'ere for eh minute. Take in the Sea. We het the dunes real soon."

He wasn't kidding. Less than 30mins after the photo was taken we were already climbing our first sand dune.

Kitted up with boards, boots and a bucket load bravado - off we trekked to our first Sandboarding lesson.
Raymond, king of all that is sand and boarded, is an easy going chap to say the least and, judging by the surrounding areas, I'd be hard-pressed to think of a time when he might ever be stressed.

'Laid back' doesn't quite cover it.

"Yeah man..."
"Take it easy."
"Relax, lean into it."
"Don't be afraid of the speed."

Just some of the key phrases that Raymond rhythmically told us as dusk began to fade but in all seriousness, we could not want for a better teacher.

"You need to relax.. this much."

Raymond taught us how to lean, how to move, how to carve and how to groove.
A local legend 'round these parts it would seem.

We practiced until Sundown; gliding, falling, speeding and flying the same few dunes over and over. Striking the right balance, nailing the technique and overall - making sure we could walk before we could run.

For tomorrow, we take on the big ones...

Challenge 1 - Waiting for Walvis Bay

2009-07-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

At the time of writing it's 10am local time here in Cape Town. We're yet to venture out of the airport itself and I doubt very much that we actually will - our flight leaves for Walvis Bay in 3hrs.

These guys are winners :)

Some of the lads have gone off in search of gifts for friends and relatives and some have gone off to phone home. Leaving Suhel here with Sam and I to discuss the week ahead.

Upon arriving at Walvis Bay we are to be met by Eric and Raymond; our chief guide and top sandboarding instructor respectively.

We've never met these guys before so we really have no idea how hard or soft these guys will be with us... Eek!

From Walvis Bay, onwards to Swakopmund; "The adventure capital of Namibia"

Bring. It. On.

Challenge 1 - Getting Ready to Leave

2009-07-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

And so it was Mansoor, Shofat, Foyce and Suly disembarked from London Heathrow for the first leg of their very own Lucozade Challenge. Next stop: Cape Town.

From there the Team, or 'the fellowship' as I've taken to calling them (seriously - we've all got matching dogtags... but I'll come back to these in a later post), collect their luggage only to check in once again to catch a connecting flight to Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Shofat, Manzoor, Foyce & Suhel

To say there is a underlying sense of excitement mixed with the allure of the unknown maybe somewhat of an understatement.

These four lads, originally from Birmingham, all play football together back home and are a great bunch. We've been at the airport now for an hour and the camaraderie is obvious. They work together, play together and - from the sounds of things - are gonna kick this challenge out of this world together.

Sandboarding on the largest dunes that Africa has to offer...

It's gonna rock.. Good luck lads.

Winner Announced

2009-06-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Manzoor, our first challenge winner! He and his friends, Mohammed, Faisal and Mubarak are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Manzoor Ahmed:
Age: 22
Job: Licensing Officer for Birmingham City Council and a student studying ILEX Level 6
Hobbies/Sports: practising various martial arts
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? The Sandboarding and seeing the wildlife.
Biggest fear? Sleeping in the desert with scorpions and snakes.

Faisal Ahmed:
Age: 20
Job: Owns fast food business
Hobbies/Sports: travelling, going to parties and raves
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Driving the 4 X 4 vehicles and Sandboarding at high speed.
Biggest Fear? Dangerous animals e.g. snakes

Mohammed Ullah:
Age: 19
Job: Student studying Graphic Design
Hobbies/Sports: travelling
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? The hot weather and the adrenaline filled activity of Sandboarding.
Biggest Fear? Nothing that I fear about the challenge, I just hope it goes smoothly

Mubarak Suhel Sufi:
Age: 19
Job: Recruitment Consultant
Hobbies/Sports: clubbing, going to raves, and studying various martial arts such as Wing Chung.
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? The sandboarding challenges, the wildlife, scenery and the weather.
Biggest Fear? Camping in the desert and being around scorpions and lizards.

Lucozade Energy announces a new team member for the challenges

2009-06-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

To join our winner and their friends on each of the challenges, the Lucozade Energy Team searched for the perfect person to report on all the super-charged, exciting adventures they will have. After meeting a lot of fantastic entrants, we found him! Let us introduce James Whatley – a true 'Internet Explorer.'

A 29 year old from Teddington, he said, 'I applied for the reporter role because I get a kick out of spontaneous reporting, constantly reacting to things are going on in front of me and capturing them immediately with whatever piece of gadgetry I've got to hand.’ James is certainly going to going tons of tech to play with over the next few months (see below for a list of all the cool stuff we are sending him away with!)

James has been writing about and filming events, friends and trips away for years on his own blog (http://whatleydude.com), adding his own unique wit and perspective throughout. He’s also quite handy with a mobile, with 99.9% of his 1800+ geo-tagged Flickr photos and almost all of his videos taken on a handset of some description. In fact, for the past two years he’s blogged Glastonbury ENTIRELY from his Nokia N95, which you can take a look at by visiting http://glastonblog.co.uk.

He’s been a keen snowboarder since the age of 18 (his nickname was 'Bullet' when he was younger as he had a habit of throwing himself down mountains at break-neck speeds) and loves kneeboarding, extreme sports and the outdoors. He’s keen to learn wakeboarding this summer, so we think starting off with some sandboarding in Namibia will be a good bit of training!

Equipment:

Video camcorder
Two digital cameras
Helmet Cam
Satellite Phone
Mobile Phone
Laptop

Welcome to the Lucozade Energy Challenge

2009-06-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

Over the next 10 weeks there are 5 amazing challenges to be won by you and 3 of your mates. From sandboarding in Namibia to yacht racing in the Caribbean, the lucky winners of our challenges will jet off to incredible locations for a once in a lifetime adventure.

You'll be able to keep tabs on our winners' progress here, where we'll post regular updates, photos and videos documenting their experiences.

The format is simple: once a challenge opens you have a window of opportunity in which to enter and invite the three mates you'd like to take with you. Each challenge can only be entered once, so to hedge your bets rope some mates into entering and get them to invite you along.

Challenges always close at Midnight on a Thursday, with winners of a challenge notified over the weekend and announced here on www.lucozadechallenge.com the following Tuesday. The following weekend the winner and their mates will be flying out to take part in the challenge. The next challenge will open for entries the Friday after a challenge closes.

The first challenge opens on the 4th June 2009, and the lucky winners will be sandboarding in Namibia's Skeleton Coast - one of Africa's most remote and beautiful locations with the largest sand-dunes on the planet.

If you're up for the challenge, get involved, get your mates involved and maybe you'll Do More with Lucozade Energy.

Best of luck!