Martinborough youth to benefit from Skyline MTB Challenge

When 14 year-old Zaquita Liumaihetau lines up to complete this month’s Skyline Challenge near Martinborough, it will be a day of firsts.

It will be the first time the Year 11 Kuranui College student has ever completed a mountainbike event and one of the first times she can channel her new found life skills into action since completing a Discovery For Teens course, made financially possible by the Martinborough Youth Trust and her grandmother Nancy Sionetama.

“I haven’t ridden a bike for a long time but am really looking forward to doing this event. My goal is to finish and hopefully have fun doing it,” says Zaquita.

The Martinborough Lions organised Skyline Challenge is being held on Sunday 26th April on the historic Huangarua, Puruatanga and Oystershell Farms on the outskirts of the boutique wine village in South Wairarapa. It also doubles as a fundraiser for The Martinborough Youth Trust, a charity that provides local youth with opportunities that encourage and inspire.

In 2014 Zaquita was one of four Kuranui College students chosen to attend a seven day intensive Discovery course in Auckland that aims to teach teens from all around New Zealand, irrespective of background or ethnicity, life skills including self awareness, improved communications skills, self-management, self motivation, healthy options and academic techniques. Zaquita felt the course was invaluable in improving her self-confidence and her communication skills. It also gave her the motivation to try new challenges, such as this month’s mountainbike ride.

“We did a lot of activities that build up your confidence and made me feel more comfortable talking to people,” she says. “But the biggest thing I learnt was when you have a problem you have to treat it like a challenge.”

Martinborough resident Sue Sullivan, who along with Terry Blacktop and Pat Ann Church established the Trust in 2001, says they work hard to provide positive outcomes for local children. So far they have put over 65 local children through the course and say it has positively changed their lives. She says events run by Martinborough Lions such as the Skyline Challenge help raise valuable funds to enable more youngsters to achieve.

“Over the years there have been many positive outcomes for our youngsters coming through the Discovery course from learning how to communicate better with their families or employers to finding out what is the best way for them to learn,” says Sue. “It’s very empowering.”

While Zaquita’s sole goal is to successfully finish the event and be welcomed over the finish line by her grandmother Nancy, other riders will also be catered for.

The Skyline Challenge offers riders the choice of three courses including a 32km grade 3 ride for those looking for a serious mountainbike challenge ($50 entry fee); a demanding and quite hilly 16km ride for an intermediate level rider ($35 entry fee) and a fun 8km ride designed to get families out and about enjoying the ANZAC Day weekend. The 8km course ($20 entry fee) is also open to walkers providing a great alternative to mountainbike within stunning private farmland.

Skyline Challenge event manager Graeme Thomson says the family friendly event is designed to give riders of all abilities and ages the chance to mountainbike over the scenic hills of Martinborough.

“This is a community event designed to provide people with their own personal riding challenge and give them an opportunity to ride over terrain not normally open to the public,” he says. “They will be rewarded with superb rural views, some challenging hill climbs and a Martinborough Lions barbeque at the end.”

Riders can now register online for the Skyline Challenge via www.skylinechallenge.co.nz or turn up on the day from 8am. The first race begins at 9am.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS

What: The Skyline Challenge
When:  Sunday, April 26th 2015
Where: Cresswell's Huangarua Station Farm.
2892 Ponatahi Road
Martinborough (About 3 km North East of Martinborough, turn left at the Catholic Church on the corner of Princess and Kitchener Streets, as you come in from Featherston).
Time: On the day registrations are from 8am
First race begins at 9am (32km)
All riders will be able to enjoy a free sausage in bread and drink at the finish, courtesy of the Martinborough Lions.

Course Options:
8km Mountainbike or walk ($20 entry fee). Note: Families save by entering the 8km walk or ride, with a concession of $75 for 2 adults and up to 3 children.
16km intermediate ride: demanding and quite hilly ($35 entry fee).
32km grade 3 ride suited for those looking for a mountainbike challenge ($50 entry fee).

For more information please visit www.skylinechallenge.co.nz or contact Graeme Thomson on 021 537 126 or 06 3068286 or at martinboroughskylinechallenge@gmail.com.
Online Registrations close at 5pm Saturday 25th April 2015.