Cape Fear Adventure Race
27 May
WHS Storms the West Coast! Nine teams. Wild weather. Mud, cliffs, and caves — and a haul of results to make the whole school proud.
It was a weekend that had everything: unpredictable West Coast conditions, a grueling course, and a group of WHS students who rose to every challenge with heart, grit, and plenty of mud. Our Outdoor Adventure Team travelled to Westport for the Cape Fear Adventure Race — one of the most competitive secondary school events in the South Island, with only 50 teams permitted to enter and spots that sell out within minutes of opening.
WHS was proudly represented by nine teams competing across a range of age groups, going head-to-head with schools from Wanaka, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, and Hokitika. The course demanded far more than fitness: competitors battled the famous Cape Foulwind winds, waded through classic West Coast mud, tackled a golf-chip beach challenge, and completed a rock climbing and abseiling section on the sea cliffs.
🥇 10–11 Girls — Meia & Tara — 1st
🥇 12–13 Girls — Isla & Isabelle (St Mary’s) — 1st
🥇 Mixed 12–13 — Renny & Finnian — 1st
🥇 Mixed 14–15 — Jackson & Jessica — 1st
🥇 Mixed 16–18 — Robbie & Zoe — 1st
🥉 14–15 Boys — Lincoln & Jack — 3rd
🥉 16–18 Girls — Lara & Ema — 3rd
👏 12–13 Girls — Leela Riley & Sophie Morris — 4th
👏 12–13 Boys — Nate Lee & Tasman Smith — 11th
“Going through the caves where all the mud was — that was the most fun part!”
— Meia, Year 7
Cape Foulwind certainly lived up to its name this weekend. With wild weather creating genuine uncertainty about whether the event would go ahead at all, the team and staff were incredibly grateful for the break in conditions — and for the organisers and volunteer supporters who made everything possible.
Most importantly, every WHS competitor demonstrated outstanding determination, teamwork, and encouragement for one another throughout the entire event. From the youngest competitors navigating muddy cave systems to the senior pairs pushing through exhaustion on the cliff sections, the spirit shown by this group was something to behold.
We extend our sincere thanks to the race organisers, the parent supporters who made the trip, and to all the staff involved in preparing our teams. This is WHS Outdoor Adventure at its very best.
Our WHS Teams
Lara Dalley · Ema Torres Adams · Zoe Campbell · Robbie Weston · Lincoln Martin · Jack Dalley · Jessica Gamble · Renny Jones · Isla Martin · Nate Lee · Sophie Morris · Leela Riley · Tara Lee · Finnian Jones · Tasman Smith · Micah Morris · Meia Crossman.
