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...on the 2008 'Pirates vs. Ninjas' Chase

('Chasers' in the Pirates vs. Ninjas Chase)

Early morning on the 16th of November, the fourth Chase began at Piney Lakes in Winthrop. This Chase offered the biggest difference to any previous event, as only two teams were taking place. The two teams (pictured above) competed as MeeHearties (Pirate - Blue) versus J.A.S.O.N.S. (Ninjas - Green) The ultimate question... which is the best... Pirates or Ninjas? The opening Clue (Yellow) to the day, was a peak at the last one; namely a clue to the final location...

Do you recall the clock with two times,

Just before you opened this case?

Walk to the statue that bears his name,

for the first to ‘his friend’ wins ‘The Chase’

Firstly, teams were asked to find 'A Ring of Rabbits' in the ground of Sensory Park, then use the provided Braille to decode their team's code word. Straight from the start, the Green Ninjas struggled to find this first Bonus (Rose). The Pirates team decoded their codeword quickly and attained a lead, as well as attaining the first lot of Bonus points. Ninjas took three shots to get the right answer, and followed the Blue team to the next clue at corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway.

At the Melville Recreation Centre, individual team mates were asked to pose next to their team coloured statue. Maintaining their lead, the Pirates made it to the next location at Heathcote Reserve first, but found two tricky popsicles puzzles that lost them their position. Firstly, teams were asked to 'turn the dog to face the other way', then secondly they were asked to use all their popsicle sticks to find the next location. Placing the roman numeral on each stick in order, the location of Wireless Hill was revealed. Although the first puzzle delayed both teams, the Ninjas took the lead... but not for long.

The popsicle sticks instructed teams to locate a 'Viewing Tower'. The first to the top of the tower was Jason from the Blue team. Here, teams faced two Bonus activities in a row. Firstly they had to correctly count the number of circles picture in a puzzle, then secondly teams had to decode the puzzle word written in Braille. The MeeHearties were still trying to provide a correct answer to the first puzzle when the Ninjas caught up. In the end, the Pirates claimed both Bonus and maintained their lead.

Again, both teams remain close to each other at the new location at Bruce Lee Park. This Bonus asked them to count the number of bats on the female toilet wall. Again, the Blue team finished first, yet has trouble finding the next stop. For the first time in the day, one team takes and maintains a commanding lead. The next location in Bibra Lake required teams to locate a putting range on Progress Drive. The Green team, first to the location, found the next activity asking groups to look through kettles to locate their given codeword. The Pirates arrive 5 minute after the other team, and complete the kettle task as fast as they could.

The next Clue instructed teams to open a provided postal tube. Within the tube was 25 maps of the local areas, with only one marked with a small 'X'. Teams were asked to locate the 'X', take a picture of the street sign on that corner, and then travel to Robert Weir Park.  J.A.S.O.N.S. were first to the park and found a new braille puzzle that required the combine letter of both team. With some logical guess work, the Ninjas correctly decode the Bonus question; 'name two types of red fruit?' Easily answering the question, the Green team created a 5 minute lead that will take the Pirates a while to catch up.

In Willetton, teams found the Willieri underpass where they located two Bonus activities. Firstly they needed to count the CD's on a picture puzzle, then teams needed to locate and count the hands on 'Chloe's' painting. With so many art works in the underpass, it took both teams a while to find the art work in question. Here, the Ninjas maintained their lead, yet found issues with the first True or False (Green) clue of the day.

The question, 'Mel Blanc was allergic to carrots?' required a false answer, sending teams to Morning-Cloud Park. Here another bonus activity required teamed to locate two markers (and using the Braille code) to spell the name ABBA. The Ninjas were first to this location, and quickly solved the puzzle and passed the Pirates as they left. In addition to making it first to the lunchtime spot, team J.A.S.O.N.S. won the first half of the day, and was also winning the Bonus point race.

After lunch at the Canning Arts centre,  both teams traveled to Shelly Sailing Club at Rossmoyne. Teams were asked to complete a 'Five Item Quiz', where each question required five answers each. After completing the quiz, teams made their was to Lake Gillon in Karawara.  Teams were required to locate one of the Organisers in the immediate area. MeeHearties (Pirate - Blue) were first to the Bonus (Rose), where teams were instructed to individually jump through a ring 'Oh! What a Feeling' style.  Blue left first to the next location, however the second place J.A.S.O.N.S. (Ninjas - Green) became incredibly lost.

At Salter Point spit, teams discovered two interesting twists. The Pirates attained a huge Bonus by placing their coloured marker on the 'Decider'. Then, even though they secured a 10 minute lead, the only Split (Blue) of The Chase instructed teams to mix-up with the opposing team, namely Pirate/Ninja Merge. This Split allowed the Ninjas to catch-up. The merged Ninjas and Pirates team stayed together until the next location at the Mill Point Reserve jetty.

From this point on, both teams maintain a close positions until the completion of the day. At the Mill Point jetty, teams had to complete a number plate Bonus quiz. Matching the Western Australian number plate icons and the shire, teams completed as many answers as they could correctly.  Both leaving at the same time, teams raced to the Como Beach jetty. Making it to the jetty first, the Pirates located the Organiser  and Jason completed a braille Bonus; namely 'Swan River Ferries'. The Blue team, left first with J.A.S.O.N.S. not that far behind.

At the next location on the South Perth Esplanade, both teams arrive together. The Bonus at this location required teams to enter the butterfly walk, and find one of the multiple glass jars. Using the butterflies within the jar, teams had to match the colour pattern with a Braille letter to spell out the next location. Leanne correctly decoded the word 'Bell Tower', and made their way to find the 'clock with two times'. Soon after the Ninjas left, Jason also decode the next location.

At the Bell Tower, teams were required to locate the sundial which displays both Western Australian and Dutch time. Ringing an Organiser with the answer Willem De Vlamingh, both teams were required to complete a word search to reveal the penultimate location. Teams traveled to G.O. Edwards Park, and located a sealed briefcase with the team's Final Location (Orange) information inside. Using the word 'French' to unlock the 6-digit code., Jason from the Pirates  was the first to open the case and lead his team to Willem De Vlamingh's 'friend'... a swan locate at the bank of the Swan River, Burswood. Individually, Jason crossed the finish line first but initially this even was viewed as a tie, however the Pirates were eventually given the win. Winning the 'Decider', opening the briefcase first, and earning a majority of the Bonus activities secured a close victory.

Congratulation Pirates!!!

View other teams from the Pirates vs. Ninjas 2008 Chase...

MeeHearties      J.A.S.O.N.S.     Pirate/Ninja Merge 

  ...or View other events...

The Postcard Chase 2005     Winter Chase 2005

Spring Chase 2007     Birthday Chase 2009   

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Last modified: March 26, 2009