Rock Climbing Course with NZOIA

A group from the Student Leadership team excitedly woke early to drive to the beautiful Ruapehu Mountain for a rock climbing course run by New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA).  KGT is frequently asked to be model clients for NZOIA when the instructors are sitting for their certifications.  The students’ nervous energy was expertly channeled by the instructors through a warm up exercise of clambering around some low lying rocks.  As the group entered the shadows, the temperature dropped significantly adding to the feeling of awe as the students unbelievingly looked up at the rock wall they were to learn to climb .  The students were given detailed instructions on how to correctly wear harnesses, securely tie their ropes to the harnesses and proficiently control the ropes while belaying a climber.  Soon there were students confidently climbing all over the face of the rock wall effectively communicating with their belayer below.  Each student was also given an opportunity to abseil from the top of the wall. 

Every student overcame fears and tested their personal limits achieving their own goals.  It was a challenging experience but one that ended with pride with the goals that were achieved.