Team Building @ Gold Reef City
Steven Hook / 31 August 2015
Gold Reef City Team Building Adventure
Early morning on Wednesday the 19th of August, I asked my flu if we could have "THE TALK." I’m sure it knew there and then that it was time for us to part ways. There was no way I was going to miss Gold Reef City. Just the week before, someone asked me, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” and I couldn’t answer them. I was ready to take on the roller coasters.
A Day of Fun and Fear
We’ve had so many team building sessions in the past, but this was by far the best for me and most of my colleagues. We were divided into 4 teams: Red, Blue, Green, and Black for an Amazing Race type challenge. I was in the Black Team. We wanted to win, but we all decided that having fun was important too!
First stop: a 15-minute 4D movie, which was absolutely incredible! Then came thrill ride number 1 – The Tornado. Just looking at it made my tummy turn, and I decided to sit it out. Watching my teammates being tossed and turned like they weighed nothing made me queasy! The screams were deafening, but the adrenaline junkies like Stevie, Jaco, and Fran wore ear-to-ear smiles.
The Challenge Continues
We followed the rules, hit all the checkpoints, and even bumped into other teams. We paid them no attention because rivals are rivals. I felt better knowing others were sitting out some rides due to their own phobias. At the finish line, we came in 3rd place—not bad! We had even prepared a happy dance for 1st place, but no matter, we enjoyed every moment.
The Navy Blue Team came 1st, Red Team came 2nd, and the Green Team was M.I.A. While looking for them, I was tricked into going on the scariest ride of them all: THE ANACONDA!
For the first time in my life, I felt skinny. The ride hung me in the air like I was made of tissue paper. It was the longest minute of my life. I closed my eyes so tight, I swear I saw heaven. Not a peep came out of me—I was scared into complete silence.
Rounding Off the Day
We found the Green Team, made fun of them (a little), and then enjoyed a delicious lunch at Barney’s. After lunch, we went back to the rides we missed during the challenge. By now, we were just one big team.
While most satisfied their need for speed, I convinced some of the guys—Mikey, Memory, and Jackson—to join me on the slowest ride in the park: a peaceful boat ride. I couldn’t have been happier!
The last ride was the Miners Revenge. I decided to brave it. There was no way I was getting teased for being a “wuss.” I screamed blue murder the whole way and may have even yelled for my mama!
This team-building day was unforgettable. I finally experienced a roller coaster, and my boss is definitely cooler than yours.
Until the Next Team Building…
