introduction to adventure racing
DESCRIPTION
A great overview of the sport of Adventure Racing, focused on Canada. Adventure Racing is a wilderness, multisport race, typically for teams, involving navigation through an unmarked racecourse in spectacular wilderness locations.TRANSCRIPT
Intro to Adventure Intro to Adventure Racing Racing ________________
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What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
……it’s Wilderness-basedit’s Wilderness-based
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What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
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……it’s Teamit’s Team
What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
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……it’s Multi-Sportit’s Multi-Sport
What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
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……it’s Strategyit’s Strategy
What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
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……it’s Physical & Mental it’s Physical & Mental ChallengeChallenge
What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
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……it’s Checkpoints & Transition Areasit’s Checkpoints & Transition Areas
What is Adventure What is Adventure Racing ?Racing ?________________
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……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…
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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?________________
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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?________________
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TeamworTeamworkk
What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________
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The The ElementsElements
What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________
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NavigatiNavigation & on & Route Route SelectioSelectionn
Tremblant, QC2001
CP8
CP9
What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________
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PreparatiPreparationon
What are the main What are the main challenges?challenges?________________
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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?________________
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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