LAST EDITED ON 03-20-02 AT 11:05 PM (EST)If you look at the survivorfever site, you'll see a page of possible challenges, and javelins ARE one of the possibilities. To quote the relevant section of that page:
The Javelin has been incorporated into the traditional festival games because it represents the ancient skills necessary to acquire food and also to defend it and your tribal members from attack These skills exhibited in the Javelin competitions are quite impressive and exciting. The Javelin Throw migrated from Tuamotu to Tahiti and was quickly adopted throughout the archipelagoes.
The particulars of the sport have changed somewhat from ancient times. Originally the Javelin Throw, according to Ma'ohi mythology, was invented by the gods to show their power before man. The goal, when first practiced in ancient times, was to demonstrate power by throwing the Javelin as far as possible. These days it is more of a skill sport, with accuracy a key element.
In Polynesian javelin sporting events, the competitors each have ten javelins which are about 6 ft. long and are cut from a straight branch of long flexible sticks called purau, with sharpened rebar on the ends. The competitors are allotted a certain amount of time in which they throw their javelins at the target.
The target is a coconut about 50 yards away on a mast about 50 feet in the air swaying in the breeze. The competitor who hits the coconut closest to the top wins. After the javelins have been thrown within the allotted time, they are then retrieved and the coconut removed from the pole, and measured to determine the winner of the round. A new coconut is then raised on the pole, and the competitors throw their javelins again. There are several rounds to determine the winners.
The Javelins are aimed with one hand like a pool cue and then thrown with the other hand holding the back end of the Javelin, using a one-handed under-hand throw. The Javelin Thrower must pierce through the coconut, and thus timing and accuracy are vital as the tropic breezes are an additional factor to consider.
If this island sport is adapted to a Survivor challenge, it is very probable that the target will be much closer and most likely dead still, as the skills to master participation in this sport is acquired through extensive practice.
And if you look in Bungler's pix, that pile o' stuff doesn't just include sticks, it could very well include coconuts, as well. I can think of equally stupid challenges. . .
GT
Edited to say CRAP! We posted at the same time!
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Krautboy
