October 8 dawned with clear skies and the promise of a warm day. That was an underestimation – by all accounts the day was HOT!
But the field of Rogainers were up to the task in all 3 events.
The course, set by Meredith & Blair Cunningham and mentored by Andrew Campbell, was diverse yet challenging.
Unusually this was an ‘inside out’ event whereby high pointers are obtainable close to the Hash House and at the extremes of the course points are minimal. New Rogainers could gain major points yet stay close to home and enjoy the 80 & 100 pointers.
Obviously the 3 hour teams were out to enjoy themselves as all but 2 3 hour teams were late back to the HH, incurring penalties. All 6 hour and 10 hour teams were home before the bell.
Chris White and Struan Lamont proved that the course was beatable and cleared the 10 hour (1610 points) with 10 minutes to spare and visited one control twice [probably heat affected].
A Bump in the Trail with Tara and Cameron Taylor and Graham Moroney cleaned up the 6 hour with 910 points and newbies from Townsville, team What’s a Compass with Kyle Shore & Olga Poberezovska picked up the first in the 3 hour with 550 points.

Results can be viewed here
The winners course is available here

Rogaining NQ’s next and final event of 2011 is the Mareeba 3 hour Bike / Hike Metrogaine on Sunday November 13th.
Rob Miller and Brad Weaver have put a huge effort into ensuring this is a top event. Our previous Mareeba event was the largest field to compete in a Metrogaine and was roundly declared the best yet.
Online entries are open here

A Jewel in the Bush 3/6 and 10 hour Bush Rogaine commences Saturday 8th October from 11am. Blair & Meredith Cunningham, ably mentored by Andrew Campbell, have been hard at work ensuring courses that will suit newbies to Bush Rogaining as well as challenging the gun navigators.
If you’ve been having a crack at our Metrogaine series this year, here’s a great opportunity for you to link up with a team with great navigators and increase your Nav skills in a friendly bush environment.

Emerald Creek day use area will be our Hash House for this event and this return to our Rogaining roots after 6 years will be welcomed by all who participate. Emerald Creek with it’s perennial water flow will be the centre of much attention following the events for both post event tucker, presentations and a cooling swim.
Get your team together or email us and we’ll place you with a team and go here for online event info and registration.

Terry’s Little Terror Treasure!

The colour of my washing machine water was true testament to the fun endured during Terry’s 24hr Point to Point Rogaine! BLACK! Just like the darkness of Saturday night! In stark contrast were everyone’s head torches – remember the recue helicopter flying overhead at about 8pm Sat night? -I can confirm after chatting to the crewies, that they did not see any of us running around in circles as they flew to Atherton!

Twelve teams signed on for the 24hr and as Terry mentioned while driving the bus to the start area, all the top NQ navigators were sitting behind him on the bus (it was noted that Brett and I were technically sitting to his side!!!) – not to worry, I had my GPS in the form of Chris White and Brett had his compass (Rod Grey) so we weren’t fazed!

On a technical note, the course format and fact that you received maps as you went, kept us guessing as to whether all the checkpoints were attainable. We wondered if Terry would whack in 20 odd CP’s on the final map just to make it funny for him and torture for our sleep-deprived minds! Kinda like saying ‘well done making it this far in good time, now eat this!!!’ As we found out however, the course was achievable and a perfect mix of varying terrain with the amazing Hash House Hot Meals sooooo very much appreciated – thank you thank you thank you Kim, Sandra & Mike!

It’s hard to know other teams tactics. For our part, we pushed pretty hard. We overshot one checkpoint and in that time 3 teams past us. This was awesome close racing. Four teams arrived into the first hash house together. We took off a minute after Team ‘Faufpo’ (Brett, Rod, Tony) and on a slightly different bearing. Racing the impending darkness we dropped a litre or two of sweat on the way up the ridge out of Emerald Ck (in fact it was at this time I realised I had burnt a lot more energy than expected and it took a couple of hours of concerted effort with drinking and eating to get back on par). As we ascended the ridge we passed Team Faufpo (please guys – an explanation for the name?) below us on another spur – this confirmed that for now we were in front.

The mid section was our strongest leg with Chris landing us on the top of every CP. Another hot meal – thank you thank you thank you – had us in and out of the second hash house within 10 minutes. Night nav is not easy for those who grew up with a compass in their cot, add fatigue and getting lost is too easy – messes with your mind don’t it!!! – Massive kudos to those who stepped up and had a go.

Leg three had us steady up and really focus on where we were at all times. When on the top of the mountain at 656m near CP 57 we glimpsed head lights behind us – we cursed whatever team it was for being so damn persistent and keeping the pressure on us! “We’re not stopping again” was agreed upon and off we went. With so many nav options we were honestly never sure of our race position. We did know we gave it our best crack – and that we didn’t wake up the guys camping on Vievers Track at the creek crossing!

Big shout out to Terry, Mike, all the volunteers and the Cedar Park Crew. To all competitors – be thankful Terry set this route as there were plenty of Lantana outcrops he could have sent us through – good thing he sets a course he’d want to do, and another reason they are so good.

Another one please

Stru

Oh and to Shane, glad you found the tick and have ‘just cause’ for piking out on Davies Ck after what would’ve dropped most men hours earlier!

Results here

Rogaining NQ’s inaugural 24 hour Point to Point Bush Rogaine is set to be a corker of an event.
Course designer, Terry McClelland, has been hard at it setting a fabulous course for teams to compete over the coming weekend – July 30/31.
Covering territory from Kuranda to Tinaroo this event will be the highlight of the Rogaining year in NQ.
Go online to the QRA website and register a team today – Event EV11027.

Check out the event area photo’s courtesy of Terry.
If you can’t compete on Sunday but have some time available, please volunteer to assist.

In a first for Rogaining NQ our annual 24 hour Bush Rogaine will be a Point to Point style event.

This Point to Point Rogaine is a celebration of our sport which will see teams travel through the Clohesy, Davies,Emerald & TinarooValleys- the sites of over a dozen previous radial courses. The course has been designed by veteran setter Terry McClelland with the following three general competitor types in mind;

Serious; Competitors conditioned for the many endurance events on our NQ calendar – just have at least one serious navigator in your team. (each of the 3 events will stretch the elite)

Intermediate navigator; The less serious intermediate team in the  24/12 hr division will thread along natural corridors without the pressures of critical navigation needed to nail the high pointers. Rest at the two, on course hash houses will give confidence to first time 24hr teams.

Been there, tired local Rogainers: You will visit hidden pockets, travel classic spurs and skip across a myriad of pristine watercourses. But will you thread the needle to beat the setter? Historic – yes, fresh – yes.

WHEN:     Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th July 2011

 3 event choices – 24 Hour/ Split 12 Hour/ 6 Hour: All Start – 11 AM Saturday

Entrants will be notified of the exact location of the Finish (Where cars will be left as you are transported to the start by bus) and directions in the week of the event. Plan to finish within 60 minutes of  Kuranda.

Setters Report “Fun in the Sun 6 and 3 hour Bush Rogaine” Sundowner Station 3 April 2011, By Tony Webster

Without too much sun it was a pretty good day for rogaining. Having already set the course for an 8 hour rogaine (given it was folded into a 6 hour event), it was pretty obvious none of the teams were going to clear the course, so route choice was going to be important. To make matters a little trickier, the hash house was on the extreme eastern edge of the course. Also, after our wet season rains being quite wet over last few months, creeks and the dam were quite big in places, guaranteed to slow teams down who chose to go near them. The rain had also stimulated a good growth of grass in places, and there was no real pattern as to where the going was fast or slow due to the grass cover. As it turned out, the far north western part of the course was excellent, fast country, but given the bigger event was reduced from 8 to 6 hours, it was unlikely that too many teams would experience this good rogaining country – maybe another event coming from the other side of the park can pick up this promising rogaining area (although I imagine it would be pretty hot and dusty at the end of the year).

The 3 hour was taken out by Bruce Monds and Kath McFarlane of team “out of time” who, quite rightly, made the decision to abandon Kenny’s 40th Birthday Party early the night before to get some much needed pre-rogaine rest. Only 20 points behind was the shortest team participating, team “Happy Days” – a really awesome effort by Blair and Charlotte Cunningham. Charlotte looks like making this family team one to watch in the coming years. Third placed was the well travelled “Kowi Girls”, who were only 40 points behind second place.

Isabelle at 4 weeks - 1st Rogaine

The 6 hour event was won by team “TT” of Rod Grey and Segii Choijinsuren. Rod and Segii scored an impressive 1010 points, taking almost all of the points in the course south of the park boundary. Second place went to “Team Mana” with 810 points after a 50 point late penalty. Kirk Morley and Kerry Rankine put in a massive effort and looked spent after 6 and a bit hours out in the bush. Third place went to team “Brush Turkeys”, who took a massive gamble by coming in 35 seconds shy of half an hour late which would have given them a DQ. Well timed Tani and Carl!

I would like to offer my massive appreciation to Bob Harrison, the landholder who is always happy to have us rogaining on his land, the airstrip is a good big hash house site and nice and close to Cairns. Mike Coleman provided incredible support for the event despite his back being in need of a good oil change. Chris White was fantastic help with gear and hash house duties – after organising two events in the last two weeks and another event next week Chris could have been forgiven for wanting to dodge work, but as always injected his energetic and enthusiastic self into helping out. Adam Fletcher missed the event but still organised the financials. Many thanks to the 8 hour teams who decided to go in the 6 hour event when the numbers in each of those events was quite low. Rod Grey, Kirk Morley, Blair Cunningham and Graham Moroney were a great help in getting gear and food to the event, many thanks. Also thanks to our sponsors for supplying us with some nice giveaways – Roy from It’s Extreme and Mark from Adventure Equipment – thanks guys. Finally the biggest thanks goes to all the people who participated in the event – it is the competitors who make these events a pleasure to be part of. Hope to see you at the next great North Queensland rogaine.

Results are up on the Results page.

Truffle Chaser 6 hour winners

If you missed the Truffle Chaser 3/6 hour Bush Rogaine on Sunday 20th, you sure missed a top event.
The weather leading up to the event kept some teams at home but those that did front up Sunday morning had a ball.
The area in the Davies Creek National Park provided undulating territory for the 3 hour teams and a hefty climb to Turtle Rock for the more adventurous teams.
Teams took full advantage of the superb weather and stayed on course as close as possible to the event times – although several teams had so much fun they forgot the time and were consequently late.
Following the events many teams took the opportunity for a refreshing swim before a great lunch was served.
Presentations and over 25 random draws were completed by 2:30 and the HH was packed and cleared by 3:30.
Race Director, Chris White, has excelled in supplying a great Rogaine course, despite the event having to be postponed twice due to inclement weather.
By all reports positioning was spot on and only one control, 50, seemed to get the better of even the gun teams, although it was in place.
Hopefully we’ve seen the last of the wet season for the 2011 Rogaine season.
Our next event will be hosted by Tony Webster on April 3rd…..watch the web site!

Event results can be viewed here

Saturday and Sunday March 12/13th saw the hamlet of Tinaroo hosting Adventure Sport NQ members and friends for the second Adventures on a Summers Weekend. 169 people registered for the weekend and the 6 events on offer were well supported.
The enthusiasm with which competitors completed events revealed the fun being enjoyed.
The BBQ dinner at Camp Barabadeen was well attended and was a top night – particularly the chat by World Ultraman Champion Mike Leroux. The questions asked following Mike’s talk were many and varied.
Lunch, a swim, a drink or 2 and the presentations at Tinaroo Lakes Resort following Sundays 4 events were well attended and the Random Draw prizes went over well. Over $3,500 in prizes and Random Draws were handed out over the weekend.

Results for all events over the weekend are on the website here

Adventure HQ and the Tinaroo Tourism and Recreation Group are gearing up for another exciting weekend of adventure in the great outdoors in and around Tinaroo Township on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March 2011.

The weekend will feature a series of “Come n Try” events including a 1 hour Metrogaine, 2 hour bush rogaine, Come n Try multisport race and off-road triathlon, as well as a longer event for those ready to move up to the next level or kickstart their year with some off-road action. The longer distance race should attract some of the best triathletes and multisport racers in North Queensland, some of whom will be preparing to tackle the Redlynch Valley Estate Multisport Race on May 22nd and the Challenge Cairns Ironman to be staged on June 5th.

Saturday

• 1300 Metrogaine registration
• 1400 1 hour Tear Around Tinaroo Metrogaine around the Tinaroo township
• 1500 Conclusion of Metrogaine
• 1600 Registration for rogaine
• 1630 2 hour Bash around Barrabadeen bush rogaine
• 1830 Conclusion of rogaine with random draw prizes
• 1845 BBQ dinner at Barrabadeen including an informal talk by Mike LeRoux, Current Ultraman World Champion

Sunday

• 0700 Registration for off-road triathlons/multisport races0
• 800 Start of off road triathlon/multisport race0
• 830 Start of Come n Try off road triathlon/multisport race
• 1200 Lunch served at Tinaroo Lake Resort
• 1215 Presentation (including random draws)
• 1330 Conclusion

Tinaroo Tourism and Recreation Group members are also offering great deals on meals and accommodation for those seeking some Adventure on a Summer’s Weekend.
Adventure HQ and Tinaroo Tourism and Recreation Group acknowledge the generous support from our major sponsors: It’s Extreme and Pump n Pedals and Tablelands Regional Council.
For further information please contact admin@adventuresportnq.info or phone Mike on 4032 4567 or checkout the events page here.
If you are unfamiliar with our events, below is a brief description of each of the event types included in the proposed program.

Urban navigation – participants are given a street map with the street names deleted and a clue sheet. Numbered checkpoints are marked on the map and the clue sheet provides description of the feature/object on which they will find coloured dot. Once located, participants mark off the relevant colour against the clue on the clue sheet. They hand in the clue sheet within 60 minutes and the team with the highest score wins. In the case of a tie, the placings are assessed on time. The race time (eg 1 hour) is the maximum time participants are allowed on the course before points are deducted as a late penalty. No compass navigation required.

Bush navigation – participants are given a topographical map and a clue sheet. Again numbered checkpoints are marked on the map and the clue sheet provides a description of the feature/object at which they will find a unique punch which they use to punch their scorecard or electronic tag. The scorecard or tag is handed in at the conclusion of the event to determine scores and placings. The aim is to accumulate as high a score as possible in the allotted time (or less). As above, time is also considered where there is a tie of scores. Compass navigation is required.

A multi-sport race is essentially any race that has more than one discipline to it, but generally refers to an event that includes trail running/hiking, mountain biking, and canoeing/kayaking but may also include abseiling, rock climbing or other forms of traversing various geographical features. Compass navigation is generally not required as courses are linear in nature and well signposted by the course designer.

Triathlon is also considered a multi-sport race as it comprises the three disciplines of swim, run and ride. In an off-road triathlon the swim leg may be substituted for a canoe or kayak. The run is usually on a trail through the bush rather than on a marked road and the ride is completed on a mountain bike rather than a road bike or triathlon specific bike and again the course is generally on trails through the bush rather than on a marked road.

Results from Metrogaines Week 3 & 4
Week 3′s event at Whitfield hosted by Graeme Bradford was a roaring success. People everywhere; lots of hills; swamps to wade through; fences to climb; more hills and best of all a dry afternoon of Metrogaining.

Chris White and Sue Crowe in Team Truckstop Navigators picked up first spot with 290 points followed by Runamuk on 275 and TT with 250 points.

It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves a week after YASI hit.

Huge thanks to Graeme and Esther for such a top event in a great area.

Results are here.

Week 4 by contrast was a wet and miserable night for Metrogaining and it showed in the numbers. 12 brave teams fronted at the Cairns Convention Centre (much to the amazement of the security staff).

A flat and fast course meant teams cleared the course.

First in was Gumboots on 280, followed closely by Team TAS on 270 with Down Under pulling 255 points third.

Bruce Monds put a lot into making this a premier event and will rerun the event in April for the Metro-Junkies, assuming it’s dry.

Again results are here

Week 5 location – March 3rd

Kirk Cumming will host the penultimate It’s Extreme Summer Series Event from his workshop at 187 Scott St Bungalow, Cnr Muir Street.

Go here for week fives location map.

This is the final Cairns Metrogaine for the summer.

WEEK 6 METROGAINE

The next event (No 6) will be on Saturday March 12th at Tinaroo Township – Rec Hall, Cnr Lamb St and Tinaroo Falls Dam Rd.

The 6th event will feature random draws and the champion team prize.

Come join us for the final event and stay for the 2 hour Bush Rogaine later that day and a great BBQ dinner at Camp Barabadeen Saturday night – all for just $18.

Check out all the weekend info here

Truffle Chaser Rogaine postponed
Due to the inclement weather on the 27th we decided to postpone the Truffle Chaser 3/6 Hour Bush Rogaine to March 20th.

If you missed out on the 27th you still have a chance to enetr the first Bush Rogaine of 2011.

We have a practice course set up for beginners. We are also offering to place an experienced Rogainer in any new teams that would like to have a go at Bush Rogaining.

Click Here for all the details; get a team together and come join us for a Bush Rogaine is a very pleasant spot.