The biggest adventure race to date is about to kick off with over 250 teams!!
For the third year running, the beautiful Wallarah Peninsula at East Lake Macquarie and more particularly Stockland Murrays Beach will once again host the final event for the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series. Don't get fooled though, a similar location doesn't mean the same course and the same challenges: there will be plenty of novelty for returning teams!
The course is secret until you pick up your maps at registration. But what we will tell you is that there are lots of different legs so there is never too long at any one discipline. For the Classic Course, if you add up the different legs the total distances will be up to 4km kayaking, around 15-20km on the bike and between 7-10km on foot. The Novice Course is about half the Classic Course distances.
Disciplines include kayaking (kayaks, paddles and PFDs provided), mountain biking and running/walking and some surprises. You will be given maps and instructions at registration and it is up to you to navigate from checkpoint to checkpoint. Remember the whole team travels together.
You can compete in the Corporate Challenge by emailing Alina and asking to be entered in this additional category. Your team will then contend with other corporate teams for the Corporate Challenge and the well-deserved bragging rights on Monday morning (leaving you Sunday to take care of these muscle aches!). To enter this category you must satisfy the following 3 criteria: your team must enter the Novice Course, at least 2 out of 3 of the team members must be from the same company and your team name must integrate your company's name.
Entry confirmation and any further event information not contained on the web site will be emailed to the Team Captain. It is the Team Captains' responsibility to pass this information on to their team members.
Event Hub
The Event Hub - where you will find all the action, registration, start and finish. This is at Murrays Beach - approximately 90 minutes from Sydney and 30 minutes from Newcastle. The turn off is well marked from the Pacific Highway and is just south of Swansea. See overview map or close up map
The Friday evening Novice Briefing - open to all novices, whether doing the Novice Course or the Classic Course. This will be held at the pool area at Raffertys Resort, 1 Wild Duck Drive, Cams Wharf. This is the turn off south of Murrays Beach.
The Lakeside Cafe at Murrays Beach will be open from 7am on Saturday for early morning coffee and muffins.
Baan Naam Thai Restaurant at Raffertys Resort is offering anyone who mentions they are participating in the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race a 10% discount. This is the best Thai we have ever had. It's also located right next to the pool area at Raffertys' Resort where the Novice Briefing will take place on Friday 17 April from 7:30pm until 9pm. Book ahead and order takeaway in advance on 02 4976 2553 to avoid waiting too long!
Parking
Parking is limited at the Event Hub at Murrays Beach. Please arrange to car pool with your team mates.
Bike Drop
The Bike Drop for the Classic Course will be at the Event Hub.
Novice Course teams will be starting on their bikes - so bring your bikes to the Event Hub.
Event Schedule
Start Procedure: Please note that for the Classic Course there will be 3 start groups starting at 10 minute intervals. Your start group will be based on your team number which in turn is determined from your Team Name.
Start Groups for Classic Course <click here>
Novice Team List <click here>
Novice teams will all start together at 9:40am.
Friday 17 April |
|
7:30– 9:00PM |
Novice Briefing (not compulsory) - Raffertys Resort Pool Area |
Saturday 18 April |
|
7:30– 8:30AM |
Registration |
9:00AM |
Bike Compound Open for Classic Course teams |
9:20AM |
Pre-race briefing (come ready to start) - for both Classic and Novice Teams |
9:40AM |
Race Start - Novice Teams and Classic Course WAVE 1 |
9:50AM |
Race Start - Classic Course WAVE 2 |
10:00AM |
Race Start - Classic Course WAVE 3 |
3:00PM |
Presentation & Prize Giving |
*At registration all team members will be required to sign an indemnity form. Maps will be given out at registration.
Novice Briefing
This briefing is open to any novice or any person who wants a recap on how the event works, how to prepare your maps and what to expect. We will also run a basic navigation and map reading lesson. If you haven't done an AROC event before or your navigation skills need a bit of wake up we really recommend you attend this briefing - it will make the event much more rewarding and enjoyable. It will be held in the pool area of Raffertys Resort.
Take advantage of the special deal offered by Baan Naam Restaurant (formerly Sticky Rice Thai) located right next to the pool area at Raffertys Resort! Get 10% discount on your tab from Friday 17 April until Sunday 19 April when you mention you are participating in the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race! Baan Naam Restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for a casual meal or a few drinks with friends. Book ahead and order takeaway in advance on 02 4976 2553 to avoid waiting too long! Especially for the event Scott and his team will have the kitchen stay open until 10pm on Friday night, so if you are arriving late, drop by to get some yummy chow to prepare for the next day's event!
Registration
We recommend that you get to the registration early to make sure you have time to look over the course and prepare your maps. You will need to come to the pre-race briefing ready to start.
Only one team member needs to come to register for the team. That person must however have with them an indemnity form signed by the whole team and all the team and personal mandatory equipment. Print out the indemnity form and have it signed before you come to registration. Note that your whole team can sign one form. If you are under 18 years of age you will need to print off your own form and have this form signed by your parent or guardian.
At registration you will need to:
• Hand in your signed indemnity form
• Check your team details and make changes if necessary
You will receive:
• Maps
• List of control descriptions
• Control card
• Course instructions
• 1 Sport Ident timing stick (must be returned after the event)
• 3 race bibs (these must be returned after the event)
Note that failure to return the timing stick will incur a $60 fee. Unreturned bibs will be charged at $50 each.
Team Changes - you can make any team changes at registration. You can not change your team name.
Mandatory Equipment
Adventure Racing is not on a fixed course and you will travel through bush and urban areas. For your safety there are certain items that each individual or team must carry during the event. The mandatory equipment applies to both the Novice Course and the Classic Course teams.
All competitors will need to supply their own mountain bike and helmet, food and water.
Each person must carry on themselves at all times during the event:
Each team must carry at all times during the event the following team mandatory equipment:
Although not compulsory we STRONGLY RECOMMEND a 'Sea to Summit' brand A4 size waterproof map case or ALOKSAK to protect your maps. Nothing else will keep your maps dry. If you need to purchase any of these or any other adventure racing products go to www.arocshop.com.au.
AROC Sport will provide kayaks, paddles, PFDs ("life jackets"), maps and instructions.
Race Rules
Please read the race rules. Race Rules can be found under the heading "INFO" >"Rules" – or you can click here.
For some tips for beginners and a sample Classic Course <click here>
For general pre-race information and instructions <click here>
