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THE RORY 2009
By Diane Arvanitakis

Arguably, this challenge has grown into the largest ‘developmental’ climbing challenge in South Africa, perhaps even worldwide. Unique in its capacity to capture both the hardcore climbers and
those new (but with some skill) to the sport. Another objective of the challenge is to promote safety in the mountaineering disciplines of hiking, bouldering and sport climbing at a venue which has the capacity to offer all three disciplines.

The challenge was started five years ago by the parents of Rory Lowther who died after a climbing accident at Swinburne in the Free State. Rory’s dream was to promote mountaineering through a climbing event, which his parents have carried through. Twenty five teams competed in the first challenge in 2005, this year 94 teams (two persons per team) registered and 81 teams submitted their score cards .

On 7 March 2009 challenges competed for 7 hours completing boulder problems and sport climbing and multi-pitch routes, points are also collected for hiking to the various boulders and routes. Each climbing problem has points allocated according to difficulty of the route and the length, and bonus points are scored for flashing , even opening ‘open projects’ at the event, as well as for wearing a helmet. Unfortunately the field of hiking is not fully exploited by challengers, or non-climbers who are encouraged to compete in the event, with only three teams heading to ‘the summit’ of Rensburgskop to score maximum points for hiking.

The challenge attracts participants from KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng and the Free State due to its location, but some Capetonians were present, and in the past Mpumlanga, Eastern Cape, North West Province have been represented. The challenge has also seen international climbers from Canada, Mozambique and Namibia in years past. The character and reach of the competition has
attracted the attention of the UIAA Global Youth Summit showing their support through financial donations.
Being a weekend event, it affords the organizers an opportunity to expose the new comers to a broader picture regarding mountaineering. This year participants were required to attend a‘rules briefing’ ensuring the participants understood the complexities of climbing challenges taking care of the formalities. After the challenge, the Saturday afternoon is filled with fun competitive games – this year organisers chose games climbers entertain themselves with at base camps of their mountaineering adventures - a slack-line challenge and the table climbing events kept all entertained not leaving time for the planned hacky sack challenge. Even the youngest spectators got an opportunity to compete in something – the tug-of-war.

A candlelit sundowner memorial service was for those wishing to remember climbers who have passed recently followed by an emotive talk by Selebelo Selamolela, who summitted Mount
Everest in May 2006, on Saturday night based on his book “You don’t fool around with mountains’ exposing the young audience to the realities of high altitude expeditions, having lost the fingers on his right hand to frostbite then. Sunday morning started with a demonstration by the MCSA KZN Search and Rescue team followed by a challenge based on that demonstration. And finally the award ceremony, finishing early to allow time for more before heading home from a weekend filled with climbing.

Lowther’s have organised and co-ordinated the event until 2008 afterwhich they approached the Jo’burg section of
the MCSA, where Rory was a member, to play a role in the organisation in 2009. The Jo’burg section, not blind to the value of the challenge and its contribution to the climbing fraternity, rose to the challenge choosing to invest time toward the main objectives of the event – to promote mountaineering and safety. In doing so, some of the extras that challengers have become used to were removed from the organisers distributing some of the workload back into the hands of the challengers (food and accommodation) and focussing the challenge. A slightly different character than years previously, but more manageable as an event, Another innovation came with the software program designed by Bzerotech Software Engineering, providing an online registration form linked to a digital scorecard which enabled more accurate analysis of results in record times.

The success of an enormous event like this is attributed to the generousity of sponsors and volunteers. Thanks go to the MCSA Jo’burg section Youth portfolio through Diane Arvanitakis who worked side by side with Debbie Lowther as the main coordinators. The rest of the team included Shaun Hope (from the NBL), Roland Magg (President of the MCSA), Micheal Klopper (of Bzerotech Software Engineering), Eric Lowther, Uschi Magg and Jenny Paterson and all those who stepped in on the day, including those who captured results.

The nine member strong KZN Search and Rescue team, headed up by Gavin Raubenheimer provided medical and
other assistance to a youth with a suspected fractured ankle/foot, a shaken up young lady after a safe fall off a
route, and a short search for two juniors who weren’t missing though their mother thought they were.

Team Name Challenger A Challenger B Score A Score B Ad Hoc Score Time Penalty Helmet Bonus Total
Don't Know Yet
Jahne Theron (M/25) Brian Weaver (M/24) 15488 11779 0 0 2726 29993
Top-Deck
Lazzie Modau (M/19) Alasdair Walton (M/18) 13806 10163 0 0 2396 26365
Throwing Sweetcorn
Paul Bruyere (M/22) Mathieu Schneuwly (M/22) 15767 10576 0 0 0 26343
Lost & Found
Benjamin de Charmoy (M/19) David Richardson (M/23) 11493 13579 0 0 0 25072
Hell Cows
Rushad Nanavatty (M/31) Hector Pringle (M/26) 9308 11293 0 0 2060 22661
Eating Pap
Alard Hufner (M/34) Mark Seuring (M/35) 10674 8695 0 0 1936 21305
Micky's Angels
Candice Leigh Bagley (F/18) illona Pelser (F/17) 9023 10254 0 0 1927 21204
Pretoria Boys High 1
Pretoria Boys High School
Wesley Black (M/18) Joshua Nel (M/17) 7969 7456 0 0 1542 16967
KHS1
Kloof High School
Calvin Johnson (M/16) Shaun Rumney (M/12) 6300 6300 0 0 1260 13860
Laurel & Hardy
Neil Margetts (M/44) Andrew Porter (M/33) 5731 6356 0 0 1208 13295
Treverton 2
Treverton
Hayden Palmer (M/16) Kyle Snow (M/16) 4601 4538 0 0 913 10052
Geriatrics
Gerald Camp (M/43) Bugs Sprouse (M/61) 3672 4841 0 0 851 9364
Team Holiday
Warren Gans (M/24) Michael Theron (M/19) 4100 4201 0 0 830 9131
Pearl Export
Dave Drummond (M/29) Jared Miller (M/20) 4613 4274 0 0 0 8887
The Last Nik Nak
Dylan Vogt (M/15) Jurgen Vogt (M/38) 4665 4026 0 0 0 8691
Cracker
Sakkie jansen van Rensburg (M/51) Sarel Jansen van Rensburg (M/17) 3211 4356 0 0 756 8323
Badgers in Prickly Pear Icecream
brigitte laurent (F/20) Andrew Scott (M/26) 3595 4541 0 -60 0 8076
banana condomes
nic gear (M/29) Zoig Upman (M/21) 3997 3997 0 0 0 7994
Pretoria Boys High 2
Pretoria Boys High School
Des Fourie (M/16) Ebert Nel (M/18) 3786 3401 0 0 718 7905
Porcupine
Kaja Kopkow (F/32) Debbie Mulder (F/27) 4872 2190 0 0 706 7768
klentch dem cheeks
chris bahlmann (M/28) john wessels (M/22) 3684 2902 0 0 658 7244
Pretoria Boys High 3
Pretoria Boys High School
Alex Bester (M/18) Geoffrey Dore (M/17) 3101 3384 0 0 0 6485
Tank Girls
Shelly Plumb (F/29) Christie Terrell (F/27) 3545 1687 0 0 523 5755
Pretoria Boys High 4 - Kewl Beans
Pretoria Boys High School
Daniel Jean Le Roux (M/17) Gert Pieterson (M/14) 2924 2196 0 0 512 5632
Farm Boys
Dario Marques da cruz (M/0) Byron Rodrigues (M/18) 2876 2838 0 -600 511 5625
X-Men
NIgel Bailes (M/44) Chris de Beer (M/37) 2522 2522 0 0 504 5548
Al Qaeeda
Durban High School
Wasim Khan (M/16) William Van Zyl (M/17) 2182 2811 0 0 499 5492
ghekkos
Herronbridge
Mischa Boddenberg (M/13) Matthew Smith (M/14) 2340 2340 0 0 468 5148
Saint Davids 3
Saint Davids Marist - Inanda
Christopher James Brown (M/17) Grant Webster (M/17) 2358 2316 0 0 467 5141
Celtic Climbers
Darien Edwards (M/15) Sean Potgieter (M/14) 2476 2163 0 0 463 5102
Pretoria Boys High 6
Pretoria Boys High School
Gareth Cottrell (M/15) Sheldon Crabtree (M/15) 867 3765 0 0 463 5095
Turbo Kids
Ray Leong (M/13) Eran Waldeck (F/11) 2298 2298 0 0 459 5055
Saint Davids 2
Saint Davids Marist - Inanda
Anthony Hodgson (M/16) Graham Hyslop (M/15) 2152 2133 0 0 428 4713
Pretoria Boys High 5
Pretoria Boys High School
Greg McKenzie (M/16) Richard Pentz (M/17) 2386 2182 0 0 0 4568
Incredibly Retarded Monkeys
Nicholyn Potgieter (M/15) Jason Salt (M/19) 2622 1752 0 0 0 4374
Wallace and Grommit
Sebastian King (M/18) Thomas Workman (M/14) 2224 2134 0 0 0 4358
Hangers
Durban High School
James Barnes (M/17) Jamie De Leeuw (M/18) 1922 1922 0 0 384 4228

Clasen Heronbridge

James Clasen (M/12) Jonathan Clasen (M/12) 1915 1915 0 0 383 4213
Gerbil
Roedean School
Isobel Kolbe (F/18) Jessie-Lou Workman (F/17) 738 3195 0 0 0 3933
Catnip
Tammy Porter (F/28) Mary-ann Thomson (F/41) 1963 1501 0 0 346 3810
String Theory
Luc Lagesse (M/19) Jasmin Pillai (F/15) 1896 1896 0 0 0 3792
Medved i Lija
Marija Ojdanic (F/32) Linda Watson (F/27) 2280 1044 0 0 332 3656
Saint Davids 5
Saint Davids Marist - Inanda
Dominique Bastenie (M/15) Dylan Smith (M/17) 1627 1627 0 0 325 3579
KHS5
Kloof High School
Alicia Brooks (F/16) Alicia Ramphal (F/16) 1825 1362 0 0 318 3505
Saint Davids 1
Saint Davids Marist - Inanda
pieter engelbrecht (M/20) Matthew Paper (M/15) 1568 1568 0 0 313 3449
Pretoria Boys High 7
Pretoria Boys High School
Michael Schumann (M/15) Gabriell Riley (M/14) 1598 1598 0 0 0 3196
KHS4
Kloof High School
Greig Gand (M/15) Ashleigh Marais (F/15) 1378 1517 0 0 289 3184
Les Amigos
Treverton
David Groenwald (M/16) Jordan Schulze (M/16) 1454 1336 0 0 279 3069
Single Guy
Danie Booyens (M/21) Rob Pretorius (M/19) 2440 538 0 0 0 2978
FTS
Treverton
Lloyd Lister-Blumson (M/16) Florian Schilling (M/16) 1303 1303 0 0 260 2866
Rock Jocks
Kenmont School
Ralph Drabble (M/14) Dean Hanger (M/15) 1394 1394 0 0 0 2788
Black Widows
Kenmont School
Lloyd Baker (M/14) Devlin Smith (M/14) 1219 1219 0 0 0 2438
Tee Dee
Tina Fatti (F/22) Desiree Jones (F/27) 1343 975 0 0 0 2318
Team Edward
Durban Girls High
Rebecca Brown (F/16) Rochelle Dafel (F/16) 764 1334 0 0 209 2307
Saint Davids 4
Saint Davids Marist - Inanda
Robert Ernest Brown (M/13) Gregory Horsfall (M/17) 1051 944 0 0 199 2194
Thumbsuckers
Rebecca Cullum (F/12) Constantin Schulte-Brader (M/15) 1070 823 0 0 189 2082
Boulder Bashers
Treverton
Kayla Coetzee (M/16) Tim Fitzpatrick (M/16) 1181 873 0 0 0 2054
Bone Heads
Durban High school
Donavin Aliphon (F/15) Mayur Birjanund (M/15) 996 901 0 0 0 1897
KHS7
Kloof High School
Calvin Hovelmeier (M/13) Tanner Mundell (M/12) 927 792 0 0 171 1890
Grande Campers
Natasha Janse Van Rensburg (F/34) Riaan Janse Van Rensburg (M/31) 1513 188 0 0 170 1871
ANC
Kenmont School
Matthew Brink (M/14) Stefan Lutge (M/16) 1219 414 0 0 163 1796
B.A.C
Miranda Muller (F/21) Hayden Wilson (M/22) 1435 1354 0 -1000 0 1789
Vendetta
Roedean School
Gugu Mahlangu (F/15) Yolande Steyn (F/16) 1158 337 0 0 149 1644
Ranjama
Treverton
Brandon Dixon (M/16) Dylan Grobler (M/16) 739 739 0 0 147 1625
Mountain Fish
Thomas More College
Gareth Rudd (M/17) Michael Van der Ham (M/15) 671 671 0 0 134 1476
KHS6
Kloof High School
Nicholas Hartley (M/15) Jonathan Peter (M/13) 517 625 0 0 114 1256
Fricken Big Ous
Durban High School
Dimitrije Mamontov (M/14) Kyle Russouw (M/14) 564 501 0 0 0 1065
KHS2
Kloof High School
David Harding (M/17) Ricus Roux (M/15) 462 500 0 0 96 1058
Art-Indigo
Roedean School
Elizabeth Leonard (F/15) Pascale Theron (F/16) 477 477 0 0 95 1049
Team Outward Bound
Kobus Bresler (M/30) Gustav Greffrath (M/27) 1061 491 0 -600 95 1047
Wish
Crawford Lonehill
Robert Kruger (M/11) Grant Leong (M/11) 440 468 0 0 90 998
The Usual Suspects
Kloof High School
Timothy Headley (M/16) Benjamin Torr (M/17) 462 462 0 0 0 924
The Keeny Boppers
Keane Morse (M/9) Jeremy van der Riet (M/9) 547 359 0 0 0 906
The Brunettes
Treverton
Karen Emby (M/16) Lily Rencken (M/16) 687 186 0 0 0 873
Double Trouble
Treverton
Kristie Botha (M/16) Rosane Whitfield (M/16) 480 240 0 0 72 792
Treverton 1
Treverton
Sarah Reed (M/16) Nicole Stakes (M/16) 408 238 0 0 64 710
Spider Pigs
Kenmont School
Kyle Connor (M/14) Tylor Van Der Merwe (M/13) 261 175 0 0 0 436
Rock Spiders
Treverton
Max Rainer (M/16) Wian Webber (M/16) 132 132 0 0 0 264
C1
pierre CARTER (M/42) JULIA DAVIES (F/33) 0 0 0 0 0 0
DOT DOT DOT...
Shaun Fink (M/25) Nico Van Wyk (M/26) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hadedogs
Adrian Pole (M/39) Liam Pole (M/5) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kenmont School 1
Kenmont School
Kelly Erasmus (F/14) Zakiya Moosa (F/14) 0 0 0 0 0 0
KHS3
Kloof High School
Angelique Roux (F/17) Claire Weston (F/17) 0 0 0 0 0 0
On The Spot
Matthew Gibbon (M/25) Jennie Rickell (F/22) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rock Blondies
Kenmont School
Auriel Hoffman (F/14) Chloe Hoffman (F/14) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Saint Davids 6
Saint Davids Marist - Inanda
Matthew Franzsen (M/21) Clive Watkinson (M/51) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salty Boys
Kenmont School
Dylan Salt (M/49) Matt Salt (M/19) 0 0 0 0 0 0
The Rock Bangers
Treverton
Wesly Ballack (M/16) Jessie Favis (M/16) 0 0 0 0 0 0
The Two Squires
Treverton
Derek Brown (M/16) Zak Graham (M/16) 0 0 0 0 0 0
the wombles
eve mitchell (F/30) dieter rohrs (M/34) 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

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