On October 20, the 2024 JUMPKIDZ Youth KuaCang Obstacle Challenge came to a close in Xiaohai Men Village, Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang. Over a two-day period, more than 900 young competitors from across the country showcased their resilience and determination, embarking on a journey of courage and personal growth in the great outdoors.
The racecourse stretched 4 kilometers and was divided into three themed sections: the Land of Wilderness, the Golden Realm, and the Water Kingdom. Each section featured dozens of engaging obstacles tailored to the different age groups and environmental settings.
“We encourage our young participants to be independent, which is why parents are only allowed to wait in designated areas at the start and finish lines, but cannot accompany their children on the racecourse,” explained the event organizers. They emphasized the spirit of collaboration over competition, introducing team-based challenges to further enhance the importance of teamwork among the youth.
In line with last year’s format, there were no rankings or awards based on completion times; instead, participants received titles such as Excellent, Great, and Good based on their performance. Special awards were also designated for the top three teams.
In recent years, KuaCang has hosted a range of high-quality events, including the Chaigu Tangsi KuaCang Trail Race and the Breaking Wind Cycling Challenge, striving to establish a new tourism model focused on outdoor sports. The JUMPKIDZ Obstacle Challenge specifically targets youth aged 7 to 14, incorporating an outdoor experience that highlights “trail running + jumping” elements designed to engage the innate athleticism of children.
At the event, numerous booths showcased local products, including Zhangjiadu kitchen knives, highland red tea, and Xiao Yu buns, attracting many parents and visitors. On the first day alone, sales of agricultural specialties reached nearly 100,000 yuan, promoting KuaCang’s unique offerings while benefiting local vendors.
It’s noteworthy that KuaCang has been leveraging the synergy between “youth events + Yong’an River” to integrate Xiaohai Men Village into the Zhejiang Provincial “Breaking Wind, Seen Mountains: Creek and Wilderness KuaCang” project. This initiative aims to deepen the connection between outdoor activities and rural tourism, creating a comprehensive family-friendly destination that merges “tourism + sports + hands-on experiences.”
“Our village, located by the beautiful Yong’an River, has always been a prime spot for locals seeking outdoor relaxation. With top-tier events like Chaigu Tangsi now being held here, we are eager to seize this development opportunity,” said He Li Guang, the village secretary of Xiaohai Men.
Looking ahead, KuaCang plans to focus on the combination of Yong’an River and family leisure. They intend to gradually introduce new child-friendly facilities, including lifestyle centers, outdoor classrooms, adventure parks, and campgrounds, alongside supportive dining and infrastructure services, exploring new models for shared prosperity within the family-friendly riverside space of Xiaohai Men.