Team to tough it out
ELEVEN Ulladulla friends will test their strength, stamina and camaraderie in Sydney’s Tough Mudder event to raise money for Turia Pitt.
Team Kapow will be charging their way through the 20 kilometre obstacle course that has been known to make grown men cry.
Punching well above their weight in the toughest fitness challenge in Australia, climbing three-metre climbing walls, being electrically shocked twice and plunging into ice pools, all in honor of Turia.
Turia was trapped in a bushfire in the Kimberly in 2011 while running an ultra-marathon and the members of Team Kapow have all been touched by her story of survival.
Team Kapow includes Turia’s father Mick Pitt, Graeme Parsons, Jim Doyle, Moo Dath, Susie and Richard Wessel, Jeff Mack, Deb Elkins and Gail and Steph Wild.
On Saturday, October 12, they will face a horror list of obstacles including the ‘Artic Enema’ where they must bravely jump into ice pools, submerge themselves under a wooden plank and pull themselves out the other end before becoming hypothermic.
They will have to run ‘The Gauntlet’ a steep-muddy incline while having high-pressure hoses sprayed at them, and crawl through the ‘The Boa Constrictor’, a series of pipes that run downhill into freezing cold mud water and then uphill.
Team member Susie Wessel will be facing her fears when she undertakes the obstacle called ‘Electroshock Eel’ where the team will have to slide along on their bellies over a layer of ice, if they should stand or crawl they will be smacked with live wires.
“I’m a little scared about a few of the obstacles,” said Susie.
“But I’m sure my team will be helping me face my fears and get me through the course.”
Team mate Melanie Doyle says its all part of the Tough Mudder experience.
“We are only as strong as your weakest link,” Melanie said.
“We all have to finish together and we will all help one another across the line.”
Mother of two Gail Wild said the group of friends decided to undertake the grueling challenge after competing in the 2012 City to Surf.
“It was Deb Elkin’s idea,” Gail said.
“After we finished the City to Surf she thought we could do something tougher than that and raise money for a charity.
“I’ve known Turia’s family for a long time and it just seemed like the perfect choice.
“We are all really great friends with similar fitness levels so we though why not step up for a good cause.”
Tough Mudder is course designed by the British Special Forces - it is a test of mental, physical and emotional challenges that only 78 per cent of the entrants actually complete.
All the members of Team Kapow have been working very hard to prepare for the event.
When they haven’t been training they have been at markets selling raffle tickets for their cause.
“The raffle has helped us raise $2,000 already for Turia’s medical expenses,” Gail said.
“Businesses in Ulladulla have been extremely generous with Ulladulla Printing having donated all our printing costs for all our Kapow cards and flyers.
“The raffle has some really amazing prizes as well with a stay luxury at ‘Escape’ Shallow Crossing valued at $800 and Southern Man have donated a beautiful watch.
“Along with $50 vouchers from some great business in our community including Sports Scene, Mogo Zoo, Rapt Bratz, Pipi’s Boutique, Somethings Brewing, Face and Body Therapies, Doyle’s Oysters and three-month membership at Anytime Fitness.”
The team has been surprised by the success of their fundraising so far but are appealing to the community and local business to dig deep for Turia.
Locals are urged to keep an eye out at local markets and shopping center’s for Team Kapow selling their raffle tickets or drop into Ulladulla St George Branch to make a donation to the team.
TEAM KAPOW: Moo Dath (LEFT), Susie Wessel, Graham Parsons, Jeff Mack, Melanie Doyle, Deb Elkins and Gail Wild (CENTRE) will compete in this year’s Tough Mudder event to raise money for Turia Pitt.