Emanuel muds’ muddy challenge

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35 students of Sydney’s Emanuel School,  four staff members and one brave parent took part in the inaugural Raw Challenge on the NSW Central Coast.

Muddy waters

The muddy, physically taxing track took the team on a grueling 7km course with over 40 obstacles including Spiderman nets, mud wading, rope climbing and the feared Wolf Mountain, a three-storey high angled rock climbing wall, not for the feint-hearted. It was a day which exemplified teamwork and Emanuel School spirit as students from Years 7 to Year 12 helped each other through, over and under and the obstacles along the course. The Emanuel Muds team, a play on the Hebrew word madrichim (leader), faced their fears and tested their limits.

Thanks to the School’s well-equipped Wellness Centre students had the opportunity to train for the Challenge with the School’s fitness trainers Dean Kaplan and Anita Kozak providing expert guidance and motivation.

Dylan Herdan

Anne Hastings, Emanuel School Principal said: “The Raw Challenge provided our students with the opportunity to test their physical skills in a supportive and team-based environment. Physical activity provides so many benefits, physically, socially and mentally. By participating in events such as the Raw Challenge, students are investing in their own wellbeing. I am grateful to our Wellness Centre Fitness Instructors, Anita Kozak and Dean Kaplan, for their instigation and organisation of this event.”

Anita Kozak, who has participated in many muddy challenges including the Tough Mudder and Tough Bloke Challenge, was very proud of the students: “There were lots of Emanuel Muds maroon shirts at the beginning, middle and end of each obstacle, either cheering on team members, advising on the best way to approach the challenge, or waiting for the whole team to finish an obstacle before progressing to the next one.

“I was proud to see older students helping younger students, students cheering on staff, and everyone lifting each other, both physically and mentally, to get across the finish line – a true reflection of the community spirit that is so entrenched in the Emanuel School ethos.”

Sean Rose, who participated with his son, Jacob, Year 7, said: “The Challenge was the perfect choice for both the kids and adults. It was wonderful to participate in an event that was not timed, enabling everybody to enjoy the mud, obstacles and bridges without any pressure. We all learnt that the quickest way for the group to succeed was to assist each other over and under the various obstacles.”

Year 12 student and intrepid Emanuel Mud member, Ricky Studencki, commented: “The Raw Challenge was an extraordinary event. We stuck by one another to get through the mud as it tried to take us down, bit by bit. From climbing obstacles to sinking in mud, we made it through together. I am super excited to come back next year as an alumnus and become a Mud once again!”