Tauranga Boys’ College prefects showed their true grit, determination and resilience over the weekend as they completed their annual Fortress 40 Challenge.

This endurance challenge involved 40 hours of running, gym sessions, surf torture, carrying logs along Mount Main Beach, running up and around the Mount, rowing ergs, waka ama and bike sessions.

To their surprise, the six current prefects were joined by the original six prefects who started Fortress 40 and had come back from university to support them. All 12 of them worked together to keep up their spirits.

“The boys did it,” said Tauranga Boys’ College chemistry teacher Gemma Cook.

She said that some of the lads visibly struggled at times and the others rallied around them.

Tauranga Boys' College 2024 and 2023 prefects complete the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo / Supplied

“There were some truly special moments throughout the challenge.

“Together, they all helped each other through the best and worst times, reminding each other of why they were doing this.

“We are all so proud of them and what they have achieved.”

Cook said the boys were all hugely supportive of each other and helped each other to get through the 40 hours.

Tauranga Boys' College prefects prepare to begin the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo / Supplied

“It’s easily the hardest thing I have done and ever will do,” said prefect Gabe Roberts.

“Returning to school on Monday and seeing how much of a reach the event had made it worth it.”

Deputy head prefect and sports captain Seb Heath said the group created memories that would last forever.

“It was 40 hours of incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows but we as a group created memories that will last forever.

“Surreal was a word I kept coming back to near the end of the 40 hours, looking back on where our journey began at the start of the year to then sitting in the surf linking arms with my brothers with one minute to go.”

Tauranga Boys' College prefects completing the Fortress 40 challenge. Photo / Supplied

Prefect Harley Gardiner said everyone felt like quitting at least once during the challenge.

“It was a very hard challenge, and I think everyone felt like quitting at some point,” said Gardiner.

“However, we all helped each other through the tough times and pushed each other to our limits.

“It was definitely a balance of both a mental and physical challenge.

“My body was knackered, and I found myself wanting to fall asleep many times during the second half of the event.

“It took a lot of mental toughness and encouragement from the other boys to stay awake and push through the last couple of events.

“After the event my body is still very sore but the feeling of accomplishment and pride for what we’ve achieved as a group definitely overshadows that soreness.”

Tauranga Boys' College 2024 and 2023 prefects before their challenge. Photo / Supplied

Prefect Jake Stott said that 10 hours into the challenge, he didn’t think it would be possible.

“It’s probably the most difficult and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done at the same time.

“The tightness of the group by the end of 40 hours was unbelievable. It’s amazing to see how many people we reached.”

Tauranga Boys' College 2024 and 2023 prefects complete the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo / Supplied

Head prefect Michael van Lieshout he is grateful to have been involved and would like to thank the teachers and supporters for their efforts.

“We were all fighting internal demons. Forty hours is no small feat,” said van Leishout.

“From running, biking, and gym sessions to surf torture, we relied on the support of our teammates, family and friends to get us through.

“It was such a great event with an awesome bunch of people,” he said.

Tauranga Boys' College prefects during the bike session. Photo / Supplied

Deputy head prefect and arts captain Jack Muir said he didn’t realise how long 40 hours was until they were at the 10-hour mark up the top of the Mount.

“It had been a long day at that point, and we still had 30 more hours to go,” said Muir.

“With that being said the messages and the words from all the boys were so powerful and inspiring, with their support it was achievable.

“The mana from all the boys was outstanding and I am so proud of them.

“What still feels quite surreal to me is the impact we have created.

Tauranga Boys College 2024 and 2023 prefects complete the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo supplied.

“We have heard some heartfelt stories, and we have heard about people deciding to talk about their struggles is incredible.

“We wanted to get just one person to talk about their struggles and the fact we have done so much more still hasn’t dawned on me,” he said.

On Saturday at 1pm the prefects completed another surf torture session, this time, alongside their principal Andrew Turner, deputy principal Leyton Watson and head of PE Steven Kelly. “It provided a much-needed boost for the lads.”

Tauranga Boys' College 2024 and 2023 prefects complete the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo / Supplied

Tauranga MP impressed

Sam Uffindell joined for 90 minutes around lunchtime on Friday, September 20, to show his support for the prefects and the cause.

He told SunLive about his experience.

“I was so impressed by those six young men and the prefects from last year. It’s an incredible idea and cause.

“The TBC men from 2024 are very mature, natural leaders and they will go a long way.”

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell and the Tauranga Boys' College prefects during the surf torture session. Photo / Supplied

In those 90 minutes for which Uffindell joined the crew to show his support, they completed a session of surf torture.

“I really enjoyed being a part of it and sharing in the camaraderie and sense of purpose of Fortress 40.

“To do the 40 hours you would need a huge amount of mental strength, but more importantly, the courage to be vulnerable and seek help from your friends.

“I hope Fortress 40 raises awareness of mental health and lets men know it’s okay to be vulnerable and to reach out.

Tauranga Boys College 2024 and 2023 prefects complete the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo supplied.

“At times we will all need the support from others, and we need to know it’s okay to ask for help.

“Asking for help doesn’t make you less of a man, it makes you more of a man.

“I will always support Fortress 40 and if they invite me next year, I would be honoured to support them as much as I can.”

Tauranga Boys’ College chemistry teacher Gemma Cook said Sam Uffindell coming down and joining the surf torture was amazing.

Tauranga Boys' College 2024 prefects after the Fortress 40 Challenge. Photo / Supplied

Movember

Tauranga Boys’ College was joined by other boys’ colleges around the country completing the Fortress 40 challenge and raising money for Movember.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Gisborne Boys’ High School are the two other Super 8 Schools that were doing the challenge at the same time.

As of 8am on Monday, September 23, Tauranga Boys’ College were at the top of the fundraising leaderboard, having raised $5019.12. Palmerston North Boys’ High School followed with a total raised of $2505 and then Gisborne Boys’ High School with $1001.

- SunLive