Wayne Bennett tries his hand at big yellow boat surfing.

AROC Sport eNews - January 2010

Happy New Year!

It is almost too late to say it but I think we have just managed to get in our New Year greetings in time!  It is the start of a new decade and with it comes some great new things from AROC.  We are expecting to make an announcement in 2 weeks officially opening the long anticipated Capital Punishment 50km and 100km MTB Enduro. This event has already drummed up a huge amount of interest and will enable for the first time, riders to tour Canberra's extensive and super fun single track areas from Sparrow Hill right through to Mt Stromlo.  The ride of all rides - watch out for the official announcement.  Entries will open soon after.  

The North Face 100 trail run is back for the 3rd year in May and has spread its wings attracting runners from all over the world.  So far there are participants from Scotland, Japan, USA, Austria, UK, Hong Kong, New Caledonia, France, South Africa and of course a contingent from New Zealand.  Dean Karnazes - the famous ultra distance runner from the USA loved it so much last year that he will be back again.  When he finished the 2009 event he said "It was the toughest 100km he had ever done" - and he has done a few!  Entries are still open but with only 150 spots left out of the 600 spots available it won't be long before the event sells out. http://www.thenorthface.com.au/100/.  Check out the inspiring video from the 2009 event: http://vimeo.com/6886713

Adventure Racing is booming as people discover how much fun can be had when you put some adventure into your sport.  It is so much easier to be out there for a few hours when you are busy working out where you are, what you are doing and falling over from laughing so much with your team mates.  The next Paddy Pallin Adventure Race is coming up in Canberra on 13 February with the final event for the season being held at beautiful Nelson Bay in Port Stephens on 13 March.  This is a fantastic spot for the season finale (expect some great coasteering) and a great place for a weekend away.  This final event sells out quickly so if you are thinking about it - don't leave it too long. Check out the details on the website.

And there are others too discovering the benefits of Adventure Racing - AROC finished up 2009 taking the St George Illawarra Dragons on a 6 hour adventure race and the Canberra Raiders through a 24 hour adventure race, both on the South Coast.  We were most impressed with both teams taking on something way outside their comfort level.  The Raiders did a fantastic job in some extreme conditions - the day started off with jumps into the surf giving these seemingly big brave footballers at bit of a scare.  Then the heat soared to a record 43 degrees only to be followed, as night came on, with a big wind storm, then a beautiful warm, clear and still night.  Then at 2am rain and a sudden temperature drop to under 14 degrees.  To our surprise there was not one player that pulled out - whilst there was the occasional navigation difficulty they all trekked, coasteered, paddled and mountain biked for the full 24 hours to the finish at Barlings Beach. 

Lifestart Kayak for Kids - the "City2Surf on water"! 28 March 2010

Imagine paddling under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Kirrabilli House, meandering into the beautiful harbour coves in Mosman, visiting Balmoral Beach and finishing at Clontarf Beach near the Spit Bridge.  This is a most spectacular and iconic paddle.  A course on a busy harbour that you might be a bit too hesitant to do on your own.  But with a fleet of safety boats and fellow competitors this is a great opportunity for 2010.  If you don't have a kayak - don't worry - you can do the teams event where kayaks are provided.  Paddle the whole distance in a team of 3 or gather more friends or work colleagues and complete the course as a relay.  

While paddling and having a great day you will also be raising funds for Lifestart - an organisation helping very special kids aged from birth to school age who have an intellectual disability or developmental delay. You can raise funds for Lifestart on the Everyday Hero website by clicking here!  Check out the website and enter now.  Book your diary for Sunday 28 March 2010. www.kayakforkids.com.au

Paddy Pallin Gear & Info Night - 2 February, Sydney

Find out about adventure racing, get some racing tips and of course cash in on some great specials at the Paddy Pallin store.  All Welcome - the session is open to anyone whether you are already entered or just thinking about it. Email Alina to give us an idea of numbers.

Tuesday 2 February 2010
6-8pm
Paddy Pallin store, Kent St, Sydney CBD

Paddy Pallin Adventure Race, Canberra - 13 February 2010.  Early bird entries close next week...

The Early Bird entry fee finishes on 29 January so if you want to save enter now.  Late entries close Tuesday 9 February.  Check it out.  

With the Master Pieces from Paris showing only in Canberra at the Australian National Gallery you could have a weekend of sport and culture. 

Don't forget there is the Corporate Category  - which is becoming quite competitive.  The Defence team Delirium took out the honours in the last race followed by M & M & M from Centrelink. Who will win this time around?  Email Alina if you would like to enter this category.

The School Challenge allows kids to go head to head with each other and represent their school out of the academic world!  Email Alina if you would like to enter this category and face the Canberra Grammar Boys, regulars of the Paddy Pallin Adventure Races in Canberra.

Volunteers are needed for this event - got a friend or family watching that would like to help out?  Email Dave and he will love you forever.  

WildEndurance 2010 - 100km Team Challenge - 1-2 May 2010

Get committed to being in great shape this year by registering a team in the WildEndurance 100km team challenge. Start training now, get together a team of 6 for the 50km Relay or a team of 4 for the 100km, you'll be raising funds for The Wilderness Society to protect our forests and fight climate change!   The event is held in the stunning Blue Mountains over the 1st & 2nd of May.

The challenge is to complete the 100km in 48 hours and stay together as a team. You will have your support crew meeting you at the checkpoints keeping up both your spirits and supplies. We can help you with your training program. Check out the You Tube clip for inspiration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nietmvqL2NI and more info at  www.wildendurance.org.au.

Special Mountain Bike Skills Session, Canberra

Love your AROC events but struggle a little on the mountain bike?  Then please please take advantage of this fantastic offer by Cycle education.  Cycle Education will run a mountain bike skills session showing you tips and techniques to ride efficiently and have fun. Specially run for the next Paddy Pallin Adventure Race in Canberra.  At $10pp this is super value.

Date: Saturday 6th February
Time: 9am – 11am
Location: Mt Stromlo
Cost: $10 pp
Bring: Helmet, bike, water

For more information contact Raynie at Cycle Education ph 0410 623 957 or email info@cycleducation.com.au

Location announced for the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race finale - 13 March 2010

So it is not quite Sydney but it is beautiful and so worth the weekend away.  The spectacular season finale with coasteering and more will be based at Fingal Bay near Nelson Bay in the Port Stephens area.  There are special accommodation packages available from our local partners Port Stephens Beachside Holiday Parks and Samurai Beach Resort.  All the info is up on the website. Stay tuned for details on the big closing party to celebrate the end of the series for this summer. Early bird entries close 26 February but this event sells out each year so enter now.

Join the AROC Event Crew

Want to see what it is all about from the other side?  Volunteers are what keep the events going.  We need people for helping out with running registration, gear checks, manning checkpoints, manning feed stations, collecting course markings and more - if you are interested there is a task for you.  It is a great way to get out and meet the people - and much more fun than just watching.   Volunteers get lots of appreciation, hugs and thanks - as well as a T-shirt, BBQ lunch and a voucher of $60 or more (depending on the event) towards entry fee to an AROC event. Interested or know someone that is? email Alina.

What are you doing at Easter? 

Three days of orienteering around Canberra and surrounds including urban events and a range of terrain - granite, pine forest, open gullies and more.  So don't delay - enter now at  http://aus3days2010.orienteering.asn.au/

2010 Australian Rogaining Championships

27-28 March 2010, Northern Snowy Mountains

http://j15.act.rogaine.asn.au/ARC2010/

NEW: Vanuatu Adventure Race, 21-23 August 2010

Now this looks like a fun event!  This new race on the international calendar is geared up for 50 teams comprised of 2 competitors per team chasing checkpoints through local villages, along crystal clear coastlines, through scenic farmland, rainforest and neighboring islands. Teams will trek/run, paddle local outriggers, snorkel, swim, mountain bike, abseil and complete a series of mystery activities throughout the two and a half day staged event. While Vanuatu is traditionally a place people visit to relax, this race will be physically tough for those teams looking to clear the predominantly Rogaine style course.  At only A$445/person this is a great way to see an exotic island. Places are filling fast! Enter through the race website www.racevanuatu.com Places are limited to 50 Teams so be quick. 5% discount applies to entries made before January 31, 2010.

AROC Sport now on Twitter & Facebook!

Get all the inside gossip, notification of events and more - follow us: 

FORWARD TO A FRIEND Know someone who might be interested in the email? Why not forward this email to a friend.

UNSUBSCRIBE If you no longer wish to receive this email please unsubscribe.