18/03/12 GVI Curieuse Charitable Trust Challenge

Ladies and gentlemen, let the games begin. Coming to you live with a special blog and an exciting announcement. This Friday, March 23, 2012 the GVI Curieuse Island Marine team will be holding it’s first Charitable Trust fundraiser, with proceeds going to efforts to make the Curieuse base a greener and more sustainable place to live. We are currently working to construct solar panels that would allow us to harness all of the amazing sunrays we get here and convert them to 24-hour electricity. And for somewhere that currently has about five hours of electricity a day, that is kind of a big deal. Other potential projects include the installation of wind turbines, a desalination pump, hydroturbines, as well as increased recycling of plastics to collect additional funds for the Charitable Trust. If you are interested in learning more or donating to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/curieuse.

So, what will we actually be doing on our secluded island paradise? The volunteers and a few staffers have split into five teams of three, leaving three staff members to officiate as we traverse approximately 11.5 kilometers of trails in an epic scavanger hunt adventure. Oh, and did I mention that the whole event is fancy dress “optional”. Since running/speedwalking/strolling 11.5 kilometers in tropical heat wasn’t exciting enough—most of us will be sporting some talkworthy team outfits. Things just got interesting. This is the stuff legends are made of. Are you with me? We are about to undertake a race that will go down in history books as the most impressive feat of brains and brawn ever witnessed by humankind. Well, maybe I am getting a bit ahead of myself, but I promise you it will be fun (maybe more so for the staff officials watching us struggle).

And now. The moment you have all been waiting for. Without further ado, I present to you the team names. In the right corner, weighing in at one hundred and AWESOME pounds, we have the “Hammerheadbangers” who have promised to put up quite a fight. They will have to be on their A-game as they take on the three fierce and feisty shark and octopus obsessed Bond girls of team “Sharktopussy”. Apparently, these girls are bringing out their big guns. And when I say guns, think massive, rippling arm muscles, not Walther PPKs. Then we have a few cheeky smarty-pants who really threw themselves into the green-theme and will be dueling under the name “Three Musketurbines”. They will have some stiff competition as they take on the nature loving “Leaf Heads”, who will be hugging trees up and down the trails. And last but certainly not least, the “G(V)I Joes”…hold onto your hats, those guys mean business. So, Hammerheadbangers vs. Sharktopussy vs. Three Musketurbines vs. Leaf Heads vs. G(V) I Joes. Who do you think will take the gold?

Ok, so, maybe I am getting a bit carried away. I can be a bit competitive. But who wouldn’t be amped up for a day like this? And best of all, this is for a good cause! Like I said, if you would like to get involved and donate to our project, visit www.justgiving.com/curieuse and help us reach our goal of £500. We will be updating the site throughout the week with team information and results. Check back often and help us reach our goal and get cold drinks!

I will leave you with a few final words of encouragement. As my dad would say…”Spit fire and eat nails. Kick butt and take names. Prepare for battle (and superawesomefuntimes!).”

18/03/12 GVI Curieuse Charitable Trust Challenge