Page 31 - Southwell School Year Book 2019

YEAR 8 CAMP : TESTING THE LIMITS IN TURANGI
MY ABSEILING UNDERTAKE
“I have realised; it is during the times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most.”
This quote, in my opinion, is exactly true. I’ve never been afraid of heights in my life, but the Friday of Year 8 Camp must have triggered some hidden fears because I was petrified! Abseiling was the worst.
Everyone was so excited to go first - that is, except me. I climbed up the never-ending stairs and when I got to the top there was a huge queue. This was after I had watched about two people climb down the small cliff and one person spring down the big cliff. (The cliff wasn’t actually a cliff it was a big rock called Chapel Rock with a sheer drop.)
I waited my turn and made sure my belay belt was secure. Actually, I made sure my belay belt was secure about ten times. I think by now you have guessed that I was frightfully scared. Majorly.
I got called up by an instructor. I held on to the metal pole whilst the instructor made sure everything was tight enough. He told me to let go of the pole and so, with me hoping I was going to survive that, I let go...
All I remember next is me walking down, a wooden plank on a rocky cliff.
Before I knew it I was finished. Proud is the only word to describe the feeling I had in my stomach. I was so happy.
I think the reason I managed to climb up the abseiling Chapel Rock was because Mr Maber told me before I had started that I needed to lean back and place my feet together. I believed him and that's why I accomplished the challenge that had made me squirm with nerves...
Jorja-Rose Griffiths (8SC)
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