// High Ropes Training Day
By W/O Greg Barnett
High ropes course - Image 1
The Integrated Mission Support Squadron (IMSS) is made up of many trades and disciplines: intelligence, imagery analysis, electronic warfare programming and support, software development, and geospatial imagery specialisations. It provides support and maintenance to the P-3 simulator and C-130 part task trainer.
Coordinating such a disparate group of people to deliver the outputs required by user units means that teamwork is vital. To this end, and as part of a broader and ongoing development program, IMSS personnel took part in a high ropes course at UNITECH in Auckland recently.
The high ropes course is designed to develop mutual support, confidence and trust within a team environment. The course began with discussions on how team work can be developed in the workplace and was reinforced with exercises on the lower ropes to add the practical dimension. We proceeded to the high ropes (actually steel cables) once everyone was familiar with their roles and responsibilities. The climbers on the high ropes are not tethered to any structure. One end of the safety rope is tethered to your harness and the other end held by members of your team. Therefore, each team member was totally responsible for the safety and improving the likelihood of success of the individual climber.
High ropes course - Image 2
There are a number of different configurations for the high ropes and all are approximately 40 to 50 ft above the ground. Completing individual challenges while traversing obstacles added to the enjoyment and served to promote team bonding.
The course finale was to climb a single 40-foot pole to a platform approximately 50cm square. A relatively simple task, until four people attempt the exercise simultaneously. Adding to the fun was the fact that the pole is not braced and steadily sways. This additional degree of difficulty provided a few humorous moments. The next challenge was for all four individuals to launch themselves off the platform and attempt to catch a trapeze or head a ball while relying on the team to arrest their rapid descent.
Although the day was challenging on a personal level (not helped by the occasional heavy shower passing through), it was a brilliant activity that fostered good team work and promoted squadron morale.