Cactus gets them off to good start

Getting up before 6am for boot camp before school may not appeal to many teenagers, but Picton's Nellee Rose-Gregor and Nick Ivamy love being fit so much they are about to commit themselves to just that for the sixth time.

They will be doing Picton's popular Cactus programme, run by Base Woodbourne physical training instructors and supported by Picton community organisations.

It is an eight-week army-styled boot camp designed to teach students the value of discipline, leadership and fitness.

It has also been held in Blenheim, Seddon and Havelock.

Nellee, 15, said the course was "awesome" and she couldn't wait to get back into it next month.

"It's the fitness part, it's so cool and we do heaps of different things to work our body.

"You make some great friends on the course, too, and the instructors are really good."

Queen Charlotte College student Nick, 16, was also singing the praises of the programme and had spent his summer encouraging his friends to sign up for the February course.

"It's pretty hard, but well worth it. You have so much more motivation to do things.

"There are also some repercussions if you don't complete things properly, but in a good way," he smiled.

Picton's Cactus co-ordinator, Sergeant Kris Payne, urged people to get their applications in now to avoid missing out, because the course intake was first-in, first-served for 16 to 20 students.

The course, which began in 2007, is for high school students aged 13 to 18 and runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6am to 8am.

Students are provided with breakfast after each daily training workout, before getting ready for school

Mr Payne said participants would face intense training exercises and develop leadership and team skills.

"You only have to talk to the parents or teachers, and they'll tell you the kids have more energy and are far more disciplined all round, after and during the course," he said.

"Right from day one, we certainly see the benefits and the change in attitude, it's great to see."

Contact the Picton police station for more information and to register your interest for the next course starting on February 7.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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