introduction to adventure racing

Intro to Adventure Intro to Adventure Racing Racing ________________

________________

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

……it’s Wilderness-basedit’s Wilderness-based

________________

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

________________

……it’s Teamit’s Team

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

________________

……it’s Multi-Sportit’s Multi-Sport

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

________________

……it’s Strategyit’s Strategy

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

________________

……it’s Physical & Mental it’s Physical & Mental ChallengeChallenge

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

________________

……it’s Checkpoints & Transition Areasit’s Checkpoints & Transition Areas

What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________

________________

……and it’s and it’s veryvery REWARDING REWARDING!!!!!!

HISTORYHISTORY

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

Creator: Gerard Fusil, FranceFormat: ExpeditionTeams: Coed 5’sLength: 10 - 14 daysLife: 1989 – 2006Location Highlights: Equador, Madagascar, Nepal, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan…

________________________________

Creator: Mark Burnett, USA/UKFormat: ExpeditionTeams: Coed 4’sLength: 8 - 12 daysLife: 1995 – 2001Location Highlights: Australia, British Columbia, Patagonia, Morocco, Fiji, Borneo…

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Creator: Dean Payne, CDNFormat: StagedTeams: Solo, Duo, 4’sLength: 1-3 daysLife: 1996 – presentLocation Highlights: Whistler, Panorama, Mont Ste. Marie…

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Creator: Dave Zietsma, CDNFormat: Multi-DayTeams: Coed 4’sLength: 24-36 HoursLife: 1998 – presentLocation Highlights: Digby NS, Elliot Lake ON, Revelstoke BC, Tremblant QC, Fort Coulonge QC

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Creator: Steve Menzie, CDNFormat: SprintTeams: Mixed 3’sLength: 5 - 8 HoursLife: 1999 – presentLocation Highlights: Haliburton ON, Muskoka ON, Collingwood ON

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Creator: Dave Zietsma, CDNFormat: ExpeditionTeams: Coed 4’sLength: 4 - 6 DaysLife: 1999 – presentLocation Highlights: Whitehorse YK, Revelstoke BC, Cornerbrook NF, Elliot Lake ON, Atikokan ON

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Creator: Geoff Hunt, NZFormat: ExpeditionTeams: Coed 4’sLength: 4 - 6 DaysLife: 2001 – presentLocation Highlights: Switzerland, Newfoundland, New Zealand…

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Creator: Simon DonatoPurpose: Promote & Grow AR in Canada, Insurance, Safety Standards, Environmental Charter…

19901990 19951995 20002000 20052005

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

HISTORY…HISTORY…________________________________

Adventure Racing in Canada, 2007Formats: Sprint to ExpeditionTeams: Singles to Coed 4’sLength: 3 hours to 7 daysLife: 1995 to presentLocation Highlights: Canada’s wilderness from coast to coast to coast

SPRINT

Expedition

RACE FORMATSRACE FORMATS________________________________

Multi-Day Staged

RACE FORMATSRACE FORMATS________________________________

Distance: ~ 30 – 50 km / 5 – 14 hrsDisciplines: Trek, Bike, PaddleCost: ~$130 / personTechnical Requirements: LowFocus: Participation, Fun, Experience

SPRINT

RACE FORMATSRACE FORMATS________________________________

Distance: ~ 100 - 250 km / 24 hrs – 2.5 daysDisciplines: Trek, Bike, Paddle, Fixed RopesCost: ~$400 - $700 / personTechnical Requirements: MediumFocus: Strategy, Teamwork, Mental Test, Navigation, Lasting Wilderness Experience

Multi-Day

RACE FORMATSRACE FORMATS________________________________

Distance: ~ 75 km / day, 2 – 3 daysDisciplines: Trek, Bike, Paddle, Fixed RopesCost: ~$300 - $500 / personTechnical Requirements: Low - MediumFocus: Fun, Thrilling, Speed, Sleep at Night!

Staged

RACE FORMATSRACE FORMATS________________________________

Distance: 250 km +, 3 days +Disciplines: Trek, Bike, Paddle, Fixed Ropes & more…Cost: $500 - $2,000 / personTechnical Requirements: Medium - HighFocus: Teamwork, Strategy (Sleep, Nutrition…), Navigation, Mental Challenge, Commitment, Cultural Experience

Expedition

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

Many think that fitness and Many think that fitness and endurance will determine endurance will determine your performance in an your performance in an adventure race…adventure race…WRONGWRONG!!!!!!

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

TeamworTeamworkk

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

The The ElementsElements

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

NavigatiNavigation & on & Route Route SelectioSelectionn

Tremblant, QC2001

CP8

CP9

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

PreparatiPreparationon

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

Case Study: Why teams Case Study: Why teams fail?fail?

Event: Raid the North, Fort Coulonge, 1999

• START = 39 teams vs. FINISH = 10 teams• WHY?

• 15 – Time Constraints• 6 – Breaks too long• 6 – Navigation challenges• 3 – Slow pace

• 10 – Hypothermia / Exposure• 4 – Withdrawn due to injury

CONCLUSION: Increase overall pace through minimizing downtime,improve navigation and route finding skills, better preparation forand dealing with elements, and teamwork.

What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________

________________

Case Study: Why teams Case Study: Why teams succeed?succeed?

Event: Salomon Adventure Challenge, Marmora, 2006

• START = 50 teams vs. FINISH = 50 teams• WHY?

• 12 km hiking; 27 km mountain biking; 7 km paddle• Winning team finish time: 3:24 minutes• Last Place team finish time: 8:39 minutes• Average team time: 5:49 minutes

CONCLUSION: A sprint-length race can provide an authenticadventure challenge for everyone, with elite teams competing forpodium finishes and recreational teams meeting the challenge of the course.

Dispelling some MythsDispelling some Myths________________________________

““Death” around every Death” around every cornercorner

Dispelling some MythsDispelling some Myths________________________________

Only for elite Only for elite athletesathletes

Dispelling some MythsDispelling some Myths________________________________

No time to enjoy the No time to enjoy the experienceexperience

Dispelling some MythsDispelling some Myths________________________________

I CAN’T do this.I CAN’T do this.

• WHERE do you find them?• Internet ‘Team Finders’• Volunteer first• Contact Race Director

• Choose teammates with similar goals

• Train together before you race together

• Willingness to share in preparation

• Knowledge of strengths and weaknesses

TeammaTeammatestes

Getting StartedGetting Started________________________________

GearGear

Getting StartedGetting Started________________________________

NEED

• Compass

• Shoes

• Clothing• hat/buff• gloves• synthetic clothes

• Pack

• Mountain Bike

• PFD

• First Aid Kit

SUGGESTED

• Clear glasses

• Kayak paddle vs. Canoe paddle

• Lighting

• Lubrication

• Map case

• Surgical tubing

Beg…Borrow…Steal!

TrainiTrainingng

• 33% Mental / 33% Navigation / 33% Physical

• Fun, Social, and at your own pace• Avg speed in expedition race = 4 - 6 km/h

• General fitness > technical prowess• Hopping a log on a mtn. bike won’t get you to the finish line

• Navigation & Route Finding practice• Orienteering events• On your own• Learn from mistakes in the field

Getting StartedGetting Started________________________________

VolunteVolunteerer

• Experience adventure racing firsthand

• Atmosphere is electric & addictive!

• Meet potential teammates

• Give back to the sport – no volunteers = no sport!

Getting StartedGetting Started________________________________

……what are you waiting what are you waiting for?for?

Your challenge awaitsYour challenge awaits________________________________

To get started, contact the Canadian Adventure Racing Association or

visit www.canadianara.com