PIA Day 4 Mystery Creek 13 June

Not willing to break a habit, the teens decide another 5 am start is in order. If only their parents could see them now: all breakfasted, showered, packed, dorms cleaned and in the van in just over an hour. Just like at home, they tell us.

Away back to the field days. This time it really is the Big Boys competition as we race from our premium carpark just in time to see the start of the Golden Pliers Singles event (this is the premier fencing competition in the world). Making ourselves at home and basking in reacquainting ourselves with all our new friends the team settles into a few hours yarning with the best and being able to see the guys who have been so kind to us over the last few days show us what they’re made of. Little did we know that we had spent most of Tuesday hanging out with Tim Garrick, the eventual winner of both the Golden Pliers and the Silver Spades National Titles. Nothing but the best for PIA (Team Leader can hear the eyes rolling back home).

Time for a power shop. So many must-haves. An order is put in at Strainrite - would be rude not to. Call into Stoney Creek where clad from top to toe (again) we are mistaken for staff. A happy few hours are spent making the most of our combined supplier numbers (which gains us access to the VIP areas) and viewing the wonders of the field days: in particular, the Innovation Hub learning about edible bale wrap, alternative uses for wool etc.

To our incredible students:

Thanks for being so awesome. Often on trips I get to the final night and think, ”yay home tomorrow”, but on this trip I enjoyed every second of every day. No one complained even though you were tired, sore, recovering from illness or found yourself far outside your comfort zone for most of the trip. You were all amazing and if you continue in life as you were on this trip you will go far. Top effort for being such incredible ambassadors and following on from our 2023 GOATs Quinn & Aidan, your hard work and attitude has paved the way for years to come.  We are proud of you all and are in awe of your energy and attitude. 

As always the PIA awesomeness could not happen without our fabulous parents: John O’Connell, Kylie Marriott, Teams Batty & Gordon-Wilson. Plus our incredible team of sponsors: With special mention to Struan Moore from Strainrite, Stihl, Geraldine Lions and Stoney Creek. And lastly NZ Fencing, in particular Kim & Owen Peterson, Nick Leifting and Paul Van Beers. Thank you.

Highlights

• No amount of eyelash batting gets an overweight bag on the plane.

• Making our way through the crowds with a full wheelbarrow of fencing tools and not hitting any children 

• Charlotte sleeping and the rest of the team deciding how much gear they can put on her - a surprising amount. 

• Plane got delayed 

• Finally on the plane and ready to go until Quinn Foley-Smith panics as he lost his wallet and AirPods, and rushes to find a flight attendant only to realise he wasn't allowed off the plane. Ground staff are notified to look, flight staff look in the overhead locker bag only to find them in the top pocket. Team Leader blames his parenting for this episode.

• Josh pushes the help button on the plane to ask the flight attendant “What does this button do?”

• Team Leader explains that he is from Ashburton and doesn’t get out much.

• The joy of seeing Lachie's mum arriving so he can move on from dad’s hugs.

• More joy as Team Batty arrives and Tom stops sulking about the lack of hugs so far.