The Gwillim Lake Adventure Race was held on Saturday, May 28 at the Pat O’Reilly Outdoor/Environmental Studies Center, Gwillim Lake, BC.
Organizers and participants were excited to gather for the sixth event of its kind, after having to postpone the event in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
The weather was wet and cold and pouring rain. “It was hard to motivate the team sometimes,” says Magnus Hamilton, who was in charge of morale for his team, one of four from Tumbler.
All together, there were thirteen teams of Grades 6–12 students from across School District 59 competing in the outdoor event. In addition to Tumbler Ridge Secondary, there were teams from Dawson Creek Secondary’s Central and South Peace Campus, Devereaux Elementary, Ecole Frank Ross Elementary and Pouce Coupe Elementary.
Zachary Taylor, another Tumbler participant, says the race “is a life changing event and once you finish it you have a feeling of accomplishment, like you’ve accomplished something large in life.”
The annual race combines canoeing, trekking, and biking. Teams of three compete in a test of physical endurance and mental strength, and learn the importance of communication, teamwork, and leadership.
The day before the race, participants meet at the camp, enjoying dinner and an evening campfire while having the opportunity to discuss race details and strategy. They spend the night in cabins or in tents, fitting the vision of Brad Booker, who originally started the event to expose more staff and students to the Pat O’Reilly Outdoor/Environmental Studies Center campsite.
The race course is 24 kilometers in length and features various checkpoints. To ensure everyone’s health and safety, water stations were operated by volunteers with walkie talkies for the biking and trekking legs of the race. On the water, three safety boats were present.
Participants were treated to participation bags from event sponsors and included a warm, dry hoodie. Additionally, there were door prizes.
“There are some ups and downs,” says Racheal Martins. “There are lots of emotions that are loose. It is quite difficult sometimes but you will be able to push through.”
Hamilton adds: “You will be sore after!”
Children too young to race also had the opportunity to win prizes.
Organizers would like to thank all the parents who supported their children participating in this event. They would also like to express their appreciation for the incredible students who showed their mental and physical strength in completing a race in undesirable conditions without complaint.
Lastly, the organizers give a special “thank you” to Brad Booker for dreaming up this adventure and the sponsors, teacher sponsors, and volunteers who made the event a success. Without you the event would not be possible.
