Thread: Hihitahi Challenge 2015

Good comments Bagheera.
People need to realise this is not just shoot blurt and squirt event but something far more substantial and so very worthwhile.
For me, the course took 7 hours to complete so this is in no way a minor task. it is a major personal challenge and I sincerely hope that hunters will take the HIHITAHI CHALLENGE to heart and support it.
In fact, as you point out, it is as much a personal challenge as anything and I believe the concept and contribution of this event by the Gillice family and the charity of the Hihitahi station are things which, given the deserved support of the hunting and outdoors fraternity could become an Iconic Internationally recognised event. It is not for 1 hour wonder type persons but involves a long slog and multiple tests of several outdoor skill sets. Truly a personal challenge which Simon and Malcolm have carefully designed to be able to be fairly assessed and measured. An absolute credit to them, their sponsors and hosts and something which should valued as an achievement , even to just compete in, let alone win or place.
There were a number of participants there who would have known that they were most unlikely to win a high placing but they are to be admired for their courage to have a go, and to benefit by learning in the process. I was really taken with one family in particular, who competed as a group, Mother, Dad a teenage son and daughter. Other younger and older couples also competed. The ability built and designed into the event by the Gillices' to accommodate such competitors is pure GOLD and the participation and safe enjoyment of this event by all walks of life is one of the things that makes this HIHITAHI CHALLENGE extremely special. But at the same time, the winner of this event can be justifiably proud of his or her achievement because it is not easy to be top overall.
I absolutely admire and support the concept and the wide range of persons and abilities it caters for.
I also would like to thank the other participants, especially the younger ones, both male and female, who will be the champions of this event in future years, partly because they dared to give it a try now, and will inevitably be the better for having done so. We can all look forward to giving it a go next year.