While the weather might not have been particularly favourable, it certainly did not prevent participants from having a great time at the 38th annual Storm the Wall.
The four-day event kicked off on Sunday as 52 heats from across the UBC campus took part in one of the university’s most iconic recreational events since the 1970s. Competitors had to individually swim, bike or sprint before storming the wall as a team at the finish line.
The weather wasn’t exactly the nicest as rain fell throughout much of the day, particularly during the early afternoon hours. Still, for many competitors like Jorden Hetherington of Team Glen, the rain wasn’t all that much of a challenge.
“It’s been worse in past years. People will make it through,” said Hetherington, who is participating in Storm the Wall for the fourth time.
Even as a veteran participant, Hetherington has a new competition category to look forward to this time. On the last day of the event, teams will compete to get across the wall in the shortest amount of time.
“I think that [the Wall Challenge is] exciting because it takes away from only the triathletes winning every year,” said Hetherington.
For others like first-time competitor Marika Noguchi, team member of Fear of Heights, it was a final chance to experience Storm the Wall before leaving UBC.
“[I’m mainly looking forward to] the experience because I’ve never done it and it’s already my last year of university, so I hope it turns out memorable,” said Noguchi.
After a day of heart-pounding excitement, some teams were able to advance into the next round of the competition while others weren’t. Still, what mattered more for the participants was the chance to bond together and solidify friendships.
“I thought the best part was just a couple of good friends coming together as a team and really just doing their best. We’ll definitely do it again,” said first-time participant Matthew Siu of UBC Squirrels.
As much as participants had fun overcoming the strenuous physical challenges of the event, for Alyssa Reyes, intramural events coordinator for UBC Recreation, it was a chance for her team of staff to see their organizing efforts pay off.
“We’ve been planning for months and months. To see the team grow from all the way in September to now is really great to see,” said Reyes. “Some of these volunteers have put in hours upon hours … here at seven in the morning until sometimes past midnight.”
Storm the Wall will continue until Wednesday when, at 7:30 p.m., winners of the competition will be announced.
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