Debbie Mulder and Allan Watson from team Top Hats and Tails, winners of the best dressed team at the starting line (Photo: Desiree Johnson)

During the weekend of 5-7 March more than 250 mountaineers, including pupils and teachers from 7 Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal schools, congregated at Swinburne in the Free State for the annual Rory Lowther Memorial Challenge.

Sporting fun and sometimes downright silly outfits, the teams took to the rock faces and boulders around Rensburg Kop. Points were scored in the multi-disciplinary event by climbing various graded climbs and hiking cross-country to key points around Rensburg Kop. The competition is known for its generous prizes whilst the youthful spirit of the event is best highlighted by the much coveted “best dressed team” and “best team name” prizes.

But the underlying the fun and games is a serious aspect: safety. Endorsed and supported by the Mountain Club of South of South Africa’s Mountain Search and Rescue team (MSAR) the scoring system and marshalls encourage competitors to use the appropriate safety gear (such as climbing helmets) and safe climbing techniques. The Paramedics from the MSAR team was on stand-by for the event whilst team members and also demonstrated critical self-rescue techniques.

Unfortunately , as with other sporting events, some incidents did occur. The most serious incident being Des, a Matric pupil from Pretoria Boys high, who took a lead fall, hitting the ground and seriously hurt himself. Luckily Mountain Search and Rescue paramedics was only meters away from where the incident happened and treated the boy before rushing him to the nearest hospital. X-rays ruled out spinal injuries and confirmed that he only sustained a broken arm. Having no recollection of what happened to him Des was back at the event supporting his school-mates with his arm in a cast.

Competition results:

The overall winner was team Steve Bretherick and Naureen Goheer from team Still Thinking whilst Durban High School won the prize for the best school.

Some of the notable highlights of the fun prizes were Debbie Mulder and Allan Watson from team Top Hats and Tails taking the best dressed team prise whilst team “Annie the Duck meets the Aerodynamic Shark” won the prize for the best team name.

For his spectacular fall and being a cool Search and Rescue customer, Des (Pretoria Boys High) from team Lycra won the “Sh!t happens prize”.

Click here to view the complete results

About the Rory

The Rory Lowther Memorial Challenge is a multi disciplinary outdoor challenge that involves various mountaineering skills such as rock climbing, mountain running and bouldering. Since its inception in 2004 this unique annual event has become one of largest rock climbing gatherings drawing young and old climbers from all over South Africa. Participants came from near and far including Kwazulu Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and even as far as the Eastern- and Western Cape.

This year the event was held from 5-7 March 2010 near Swinburne in the Free State. In total 82 two-person teams competed, cheered on by numerous spectators and volunteers. More than half of the competitors come from various Schools including, Duran High School, Pretoria Boys High and Kloof High. The youngest competitor was age 10 whilst the oldest was a youthful 67.

The starting line with Swinburne’s Rensburg Kop in the background (Photo: Kyle Meenahan)

The challenge is held in remembrance of Rory Lowther who died on 3 February 2004 (on his mother’s birthday) in a rock climbing accident at Swinburne. The challenge is the brainchild of Debbie and Eric Lowther, Rory’s parents, who dedicate most of their spare time during the first months of every year to organise the event. The event is supported by the Mountain Club of South Africa and several outdoor businesses.

Debbie Lowther explains: “The purpose of the challenge, which is affectionately known as ‘the Rory’, is to promote safety and training of young mountaineers in a fun environment.”

Competitors on Spear Head Boulder, one of the numerous sandstone boulders around Rensburg Kop (Photo: Dave Jones)

Scott Sinclair and Trent Burnett from team Beer beats Pap (Photo: Mark Louw)

Stefan Lutge and William Van Zyl from team Pink Fluff (Durban High School) chose a risqué outfit to complement their elegant moves on the rock (Photo: Kyle Meenahan)

Danie Booyens (KZN) on his way to send Yellow Belly (V4/6C ****) (Photo: Kyle Meenahan)