A response to the Gear Junkie concerning adventure racing

The gear junkie wrote an article entitled: An Open Letter to Adventure Racers
http://gearjunkie.venturethere.com/blogs/detail/An-Open-Letter-To-Adventure-Race-Directors/305.html

Here is a veteran adventure racers response

1. Quit calling it 'Adventure Racing'
Honestly the name the name of the sport is adventure racing. The history of the sport has given it this name. The name needs not be changed AR is a fine abbreviation but adventure racing is adventure racing, if we only called it AR people would really not know what we are talking about.

2. Allow GPS
Absurb, that would really drop participation rates. Adventure Racing and land navigation are learned through experience. Participants should begin with easier races with minnimum navigation and move to more difficult races as they develop skills. Map and compass is faster than GPS, but GPS would eliminate a lot of nav problem solving which is the heart of the sport.

3. Vet the Course
Completely agree this may be an additional cost to race directors though, so at the least they need to pre run the course the whole way through at once on their own. Experienced RD's should be able to factor in the additional appropriate time for difficult navigation areas.

4. Simplify the Sport
I agree with this the sport was simpler 5-7 years ago all cp's were mandatory. The courses could be completed in the allotted time (normally). RD's should move to centralized TA'S whenever possible to reduce their costs and stress levels.

5. No UTMs
Do not get rid of UTM,but provide UTM coordinates in addition to a master map which has the points already plotted. Will solve the problem of incorrect UTM'S and allow the racers that like using UTM'S to still use them. Racers pay RD'S TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT utm's.

6. Boat Choice
The bike boat comparison does not hold water. Boats have max hull speeds bike speed can not be compared to hull speed. Requiring races to own their own boat would increase cost. Personally, I own fast boats so I would have an unfair advantage if boats were not regulated.

7. Whitewater, Please!
This is scary to me most racers even top racers have limited whitewater experience. Whitewater paddling is a skill that takes time to develop. It is great and I love it in races but ww canoeing is one of the most difficult whitewater boats to paddle. If rd's are going to have significant ww inflatable kayaks are a safer option. Racers should have the skills needed to navigate ww. Example Pq Montana ww, best ww section of any race I have done, but to advanced for most racers as they did not have the ww experience needed.

8. Good Maps
Completely agree will pay extra for race entry for good maps.

9. Clues
Completely agree navigating is navigating, providing awkward clues just to increase the navigation difficulty is ridiculous and frustrating to racers.

10. Mandatory Gear
What needs to be carried is based on the area of the race the time of year terrain and length. Adventure racing should have a standard first aid kit most races require to little first aid gear.

11. Inform the Volunteers
Racers should already have this info it should be up to the racers to know these details volunteers are just this volunteers. Some have limited knowledge do not trust the volunteers trust yourself. RD'S should put these details in the passport.

12. The Coed Rule
This makes are sport unique coed should be the elite division, then categorize all other categories as one. If you want to race just race if you are not in the elite category go out and prove to the elite category teams that you are elite cause you kicked their a**. They will be competing against you I promise.

13. Ropes
Ropes are fun. It is an extra major expense to the RD choose if you want it or not, but racers like it. Be sure to have a rope rigging crew that knows racing, rigs multiple ropes, and put the ropes section at a point in the race that prevents bottle necks.

14. Lower Entry Fees
Most race companies are for profit and putting on a race is an expensive endeavor price your race based on cost. If you want good maps you have to pay more. If you want a race course that is vetted by a 3rd party you will pay more. I you want white water you wil pay more.

15. Elevator Pitch
Say what you want to describe adventure racing but please do not compare it to the amazing race.
_________________
Experience the Good life,
Joe Moerschbaecher
Pura Vida Adventures
pvadventures.com
772-579-0005