The Ordeal relies on....
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The
premier
Mountain Bike event.
Make
sure you clear your diary for
the 28th March 2009
so you can ride Ordeal '09
Are you boring your friends and
families with stale tales? Spice up your Spring with a bit of
adventure.
Your once
in a lifetime (okay...only time
this month) chance to become part of 
"Carl's Crew!". Remember
this guy...
He's
the Ordeal's ambassador and NZ Junior Champ.
He won the Spokes 50km this year. He was probably tipping back a
beer while
you were still looking at
someone's rear ..... tyre.
Carl is trying to
get to
the world
Xterra champs in Hawaii in
October this
year to complete some unfinished business - he came 2nd last
year. He's a bit short of bucks but his friends want to
help Carl get there and offer you somegreat value fun in the process.
Bruce Webber, a
kayak
instructor of many, many, many years experience (did I say enough
'many's? - let's face it, he's no spring chicken any more, he just
acts
like one), is offering several 4 hour white water kayaking courses
(valued at between $160 - 200) for just $100 to
all those who can reach the Kawerau  river.
He is donating his
time and gear so all the
proceeds
will go to getting rid of Carl Jones for a
while and give someone else a view from the winners podium.
The first
session was held this weekend (7th Sept) and was a great success.
Ian Coventry (left), a local multi-sporter reports “Bruce was
awesome – managed to
get me from quivering floating mess to almost looking like a kayaker in
just a
couple of hours! I even want to go back – at the start I just wanted to
go home". 
The course was intense and
hands on. Bruce worked with the each person's skill and
confidence level, improving their technique and
moving from the wider slower part of the river to tighter, faster,
bouncier water further up when everyone was ready for it. Ali
High (right) observed that the water wasn't all that cold after she
went for a swim.
All you multi-sporters who are "self taught" in the
kayaking
dept. - knock minutes off your kayaking leg
and boost your energy by
learning to let the river do the work for you. If you've never strapped
yourself into
a plastic
coffin - this could be the start of a whole new passion! Courses
for all abilities and levels of
fear...no intelligence needed,
but you rode the Ordeal so that's a
given, right?
 I can personally vouch for
Bruce Webber. He taught me to kayak 20 years ago and I've never
looked back...or maybe I've never been back - I can't remember
which. Bruce is not just a top instructor but great
fun to hang out with. Get in touch with him asap and book
yourself some fun - all gear provided.
If you want to discuss it with Bruce, call him on
Home 07 3627600
Mobile 027 2100044
Course dates are as
follows (email Bruce to book):
Sept 7 - "ARRRGH the
waters moving!" (novice)
Sept 20 - "Scrape the
rust off" (for improving or refreshing skills)
Sept 21 - "I'm so cool I
wear pink" (experts)
If none of these days suit
you, or if you want to do something different, like learn to roll a
kayak in a swimming pool (ya wuss!), Bruce is happy to arrange another
time slot
Courses run from 10am
till exhaustion sets in (usually about 2). Bring $100 and
your lunch. You
can find the site on google Earth or online maps. Find the point
at which the Tarawera river comes close to River Rd. (Kawerau), just
after Hobson St.
If anyone wants
to join
me, I'm going for the "scrape the rust off" session - I'll probably be
in the
kayak that's upside down. My eleven year old is going to do the
"Arrrrgh!" session, and that will probably be close to the noise
he makes.
Summers almost here -
Let's hit it yelling "YEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA!!!!!"
Cheers
Steve (the guy who was
too slow to dodge the "Who's going to do the website?" bullet).
The 2008 Ohope
Ordeal was a blast
(results).
Here's a bit of the magic.
   
Arch Delahunty, of the
Environment Bay of Plenty team, puts on a special display of bike
robatics on the last hill - just for the pleasure of the crowd.
Thanks, Arch, you're a true sport!
 The man of the hour, Neil Martin (left),
discusses the event with a familiar face, Ordeal Organiser Paul
Robinson (right) and carnival organiser Lyall Rishworth. Neil is
the one who came up with the idea for the Ordeal and after two years
watching others have all the fun finally got to ride it
himself. Both his Gu 25k and Spokes 50k course have been getting
rave reviews from riders. Well done Neil, have the rest of the
day off!
 One of the most popular guys at the
Ordeal, the coffee man we imported from somewhere (judging by his
accent). Coffee man was just one of the many food choices at the
Ordeal. We hope all our visitors enjoyed the festivities we
arranged.
 One of these was a
band of
local teachers. This is the band without a name but for the day
they went under the title "Mad Jon and the Dull Eyed Llamas" - great
name
and great music guys! Thanks for turning it on for us.
Yvette Bloor, age 61, congratulates Rhys Hollowood, age 10, after both
complete the Gu 25k ride. A huge number of younger riders entered
this year, suggesting mountain biking has a healthy future. The
oldies just keep turning up, year after year. We keep making
things harder but it doesn't seem to deter them - bloody pioneering
spirit!
 Lorien Hickson
doesn't just ride the 50km course, he also sponsors it. Spokes is
the Ordeal's major sponsor, funding the Spokes 50km event and
putting up the $2000 major spot prize which was won by local rider
Matt
Soppit.
 While taking
the Merida
AMX 400 bike was tempting, Matt's going to exchange it for some high
end gear to keep his mountain biking career on an upward curve.
Another great sunny Ohope day meant that the riders could chill out at
the end and catch up with riding pals from around the country. It
was a great atmosphere and one which we intend to repeat next year.
Hey! - Big thanks from the committee to all you riders and supporters
who turned out for the Ordeal. We had a blast putting it on for
you and hoped you all had a great day. See you all next year -
and bring a few mates, eh?
Proceeds from the Ohope
Ordeal go to Ohope Beach Primary Scho
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The Ordeal couldn't have happened
without the support of all those people who stepped up on the day
to marshall, make food, process riders and generally make it
flow. We'd also like to acknowledgeall the others who's support
made it a great day including...
1XX
Angell
Sound Vision
Asset
Forestry
Barry
Liddle & David Feek
Bizzy
Buddyz
Brosnahan
Farm Trust
Crepe Escape
Eastern
Bay Tri Club
Eastern
Bay Twin Diff
Eastern
Forestry
Environment
Bay of Plenty
FarmSafe
Flower
Devas
Fulton
Hogan
Ground
Effect
GU
Energy Fuel
Industrial
Site Services
Inspired
by You Salon
Koru
Chiropractic
McDonalds
Whakatane
Mata Beer
Mighty
River Power
Mobile
Signs & Graphics
New
World Whakatane
Ngati
Awa Station
Ohiwa
Forest Partnership
Ohope
Autos
Ohope
Beach Medical Centre
Ohope
Fire Brigade
Ohope
Pharmacy
Opus
International Consultants
Pacific
Adventures
Paper
Plus
Quay
Accountants
Rawhiti
Forest Farms
Ray
& Trish Owen
Robinson
Law
School
Administration & Staff
Scilla
Chocolates
Spokes
Cycles
Stuart
Monroe
Sushi in Whakatane
Top
10 Holiday Park
Underwood
& Wilkins
Whakatane
& District Camera Club
Whakatane
Amateur Radio
Whakatane
District Council
Whakatane
Lions
Whakatane
Mountainbike Club
Whakatane
Printers
Whakatane
Rotary
And others who names I don't know of
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