Pentathlon GB, British Obstacle Sports and Youth Sport Trust have today launched Obstacle Explorers, a national initiative designed to bring fun, creativity, and inclusivity into school sport and physical activity.

Obstacle Explorers introduces young people to the sports of Obstacle Course Racing, Modern Pentathlon, and Ninja. These activities bring together a variety of challenges that develop agility, strength, balance, coordination and speed. 

Developed in partnership with schools, young people and exercise physiologists who have piloted the programme across the UK, Obstacle Explorers combine movement, teamwork and leadership through a unique set of challenge cards and activities. It encourages children of all abilities to get active, collaborate, and think differently about what physical activity can look like in their surroundings, embracing creative play in both built and natural environments.

Pontlliw Primary School in Swansea, Wales (one of the pilot schools) reported, "We have loved being part of Obstacle so much, that we’ve decided to include it in our Year 6 leavers assembly as we want to show the school how resilient we are, tell them of all the skills that we’ve developed and that we are all true warriors at heart!" Pupils also reported they are enjoying their learning so much and "it doesn’t feel like a lesson, it feels like playing!"

To kickstart the movement, the first 500 schools to sign up will receive free access to Obstacle Explorers resources and recognition as Founding Obstacle Schools. These schools will also have the chance to be eligible for an opportunity to attend a full-size obstacle course.

Obstacle Sports have expanded rapidly over the past 15 years, supported by the rise of mass-participation events and popular television formats such as Spartan, Tough Mudder, Ninja Warrior, Gladiators and other challenge-based series. Modern Pentathlon, the multi-discipline Olympic sport that tests athletes across five different events recently introduced a sprint obstacle course as its new fifth discipline, set to make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games.

Will Brown, CEO at Pentathlon GB, said:

“Obstacle Explorers offers a powerful way to introduce young people to the skills and excitement of an Olympic sport. By giving schools accessible resources and simple ways to get started, we can inspire more children to discover movements they enjoy and open the door to future pathways within our sport.”

Vicci Wells, Assistant Director for Children and Young People at Youth Sport Trust, who led the pilot programme, commented:

“From the pilot schools, we saw young people having fun and doing something completely different. Everything felt new- from using equipment they’d never touched before to taking part in activities like Human Pinball, Plank Reaction, and Power Up. Working alongside exercise physiologists, we designed these challenges to help children build the strength, speed, and stamina they need at the earliest stages of their development.

"What stood out most was how Obstacle Explorers transformed how pupils viewed the outdoors; spaces that were once ‘just the playground’ became places of curiosity and imagination. At a time when only 49.1% of young people are meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s activity guidelines, and the distance children are allowed to roam has fallen from six miles to just 300 yards over four generations, we have to find new ways to spark that spirit of movement and exploration again. Obstacle Explorers does exactly that.”

James Burton, President of British Obstacle Sports, shared:

“We have been incredibly excited to see the enthusiasm from the pilot schools. It reinforces what we already know across the obstacle community, that these activities give children the chance to play, move and have fun together in a way that feels fresh and accessible. The feedback from young people shows just how naturally young people engage with obstacle challenges, and how much joy and confidence they gain from exploring movement in different ways. We are proud to support a programme that opens the door for every child to take part, discover new skills and experience the excitement at the heart of our sport.”

Schools can find out more and sign up to be one of the first 500 Founding Schools here.