Do you want an outlet for physical and mental team activities in the natural environment? Do you enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, from fitness and endurance to navigation? Then rogaining is the answer – our events can become your passport to global rogaining, enjoyed in 167 countries worldwide.
What’s it all about?
Rogaining is an opportunity for teams to compete in outdoor, long-distance, cross-country navigation. While championship rogaines take place over 24 hours, there are many shorter options for busy people.
The course involves planning your route and navigating between checkpoints using different types of maps, usually topographical. Rogaining is great for people who enjoy teamwork, physical activity, endurance, competition, self-reliance, and appreciate the natural environment.
Where did it start?
Rogaining can trace its roots back to 1947, when the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club was the first to organise a series of rogaining-type events for its members. However the sport wasn’t formally recognised until April 1976, when the activity was named, rules were adopted and the world’s first rogaining association was formed.
The word rogaining is derived from the names of three of the founders, Rod Phillips, Gail Davis (née Phillips) and Neil Phillips (RoGaiNe, hence ‘rogaining’, ‘rogainer’ etc).
ROGAINE is also an acronym for “Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance“.
How does it work?
Rogaines are generally day- and night-time events where teams of two to five people travel entirely on foot, navigating by map and compass. Teams can visit checkpoints in whichever order they choose, over terrain that varies from open countryside to hilly forest.
Rogaining is also broad enough to encompass other cross-country navigation activities where there is an emphasis on teamwork and the environment – whether travelling by canoe, bicycle or skis!
At events, a central base camp gives teams the opportunity to return at any time to grab a hot meal, enjoy a rest break or socialise with others. It’s all about travelling at your own pace, so anyone from schoolkids to grandparents can experience the personal satisfaction of completing a cross-country navigation challenge.
This is the international symbol for Rogaining and Orienteering and is used to designate a checkpoint on rogaining courses worldwide.
Benefits of Rogaining
- A relatively inexpensive, wholesome outdoor activity from three hours upwards
- Easy access, under safe conditions, to hiking areas in various parts of the world
- Access to some areas not easily accessible to the general public
- Communal awareness of the need to care for the natural environment
- Physical exercise for individuals leading to a more healthy community
- Development of teamwork skills, and cross country navigation skills
- Development of self-reliance and leadership skills in outdoor settings
- Elite cross-country navigation competition.
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