TSC's inaugural TEAM CHALLENGE was held on Mt Buller last week in some of the best spring conditions we have seen in years. Inspired by the Transworld Team event, coinciding with the school holidays, TSC coaches enlisted Burton team rider Tom Pelly to be master of ceremonies.

Little did these kids know what Tom was capable of when he rocked up to the camp house, He arrived with his hands full! 3 Box's full to be exact. "Burton", "Dragon", "I Found", and "3CS" products Soon campers learnt that not only when he said “jump”! The campers say “how high” they also had to learn his respect. Bunking in with the older boys downstairs Tom made himself right at home. Growing up on Hotham under the likes of guys like Marcus Wherle, he had copped his fair share of practical jokes as a grommie. I think he thought this week was a great opportunity for him to get his own back and teach these young snowboarders a thing or too about practical jokes and life in the fast lane.. Rule No 1 never give Tom Pelly a pair of clippers if your a 14 year old boy with long hair, just ask Daley Watson that was only the first night.

After all the commotion the night before in the house we awoke to absolutely beautiful blue skies for the first day of the challenge Best Costume, Getting up early was the best move as the weather man predicted storms and torrential rain which hit by about 11am Although the weather wasn't kind, it doesn't really matter when your dressed up as a monkey or a bumble bee terrorizing the general public of Mt Buller. Ever seen a gorilla do 3 tame dogs in a row? Best costume went to Shaun Belmore as Ice Skating legend Chas Michael Michaels. Special mention to Taylor Stylainou as Superman. Super coaches effort went to Nick Reichstein for hand building his robot costume and Darragh Walsh as “The Tourist” After donuts at Koflers we decided to head home and in to Mansfield for the afternoon. A day in the sun can be tiring... maybe even give you sun stroke. But hang on a minute it wasn't sunny Because that's the only thing anyone could think of when Jack Hargreaves went running around Mansfield trying to pick up bikers dressed up as a lady-man! It was for a good cause though and good practice for Miss Teenage America back at the house that afternoon... another Tom Pelly challenge!

After we undressed from Miss America, it was time for the Quiksilver “That's It, That's All” Premiere on Buller. It's fair to say that this movie was one of the motivating forces for the rest of the week. After watching T-Rice tree tap after a backside rodeo... well, lets just say the campers we're all ready to throw down.

Sunday we woke with the sun's rays creeping into the windows early morning. This is a little annoying at 6am, that is until you realise it means the mountain is going to be on.

It was D.O.N.K.E.Y. Day!

This was the first of 3 team challenges during the week. In 4 evenly balanced teams, coaches and Tom pulled trick names out of a hat, then each team would nominated a rider to do the stunt.

This was a pretty intense comp that went down to the wire, and when it was needed, tricks were stomped and kids stepped up. Daley sealed the win for his team with a text book switch tail grab, but it was little Luke Staveley's huge tame dogs even bigger than Pellys that stole trick of the day.

Lets face it. Buller has it's fare share of sunny days. But like anywhere, there is the odd occasion when the sky's are engulfed in what can only be described as hurricane Katrina on crack. With nothing but Bourke Street open on this fine Monday, and some freshening light breezes, TSC took over the run setting up BMX rhythm sections, jibs and a ollie comp. Will Hargraves won gear for getting the best linkage through the jumps with a 180 to switch back 3. Then, of course, coach Darragh broke camper Tyson's heart by steeling the highest ollie title. "Like candy from a baby" i heard him say after. How can one man have the legs of two???

As the week continued on, the weather improved. We were also getting down to the business end of the week. After the one team cleaning up the points 2 days in a row; taking out the Donkey challenge and the scavenger hunt; it was going to be a challenge for the others teams to stay in touch. But it was double points on the last day of the Team Challenge, and on a Little Buller Spur tape feature, you could earn points for personal progression that where donated to your team... so it was anyone's game.
After getting super gnarly with the setup; even Hannah was defying doctors orders and gettin-jiby-wid-it; the scores were tight with only one point separating second from first. Luke Skywalker Coach was being tough with his points, they did not come easy. But it was a team effort that got the team of Jack, Jack, Paige, ...over the line. 4 of there 6 riders scored points in the session and they over came the first place team to take the first ever TSC Team Challenge.
Wednesday came around much quicker then anyone had hoped. But it was looking like a good day, and we still had a heap of gear from Burton and Quiksilver to award to riders for the BBQ in the Park Comp. On this last day, campers got to jam in the skyline park till their heart was content while stuffing their faces with snags. The MBP crew had done a superb job of getting the park in order for the event and donating the BBQ.
The sun was low in the sky that day when we departed the park. There were an amazing amount of fresh tricks thrown down, and some happy kids with full belly's and pockets.

HUGE thanks for Burton Dragon Quiksilver and IFOUND for donating so much gear to the cause. And even a huger thanks to Tom Pelly, the hardest working rider in OZ, who made the week an amazing experience for everyone. Cheers Tom.