Rogaining, A Unique Australian Adventure

Australian holiday visa holders will definitely want to try out something new everytime they are in the country. Luckily, the country does offer something new each time for those coming in with an Australian tourist visa. And one of the recent trends that has been getting much attention recently is rogaining.

So what is rogaining? Rogaining is basically a team competition wherein you compete in a race around a predetermined course and in a predetermined amount of time. Think of it as more like the Amazing Race, only with less of the frills.

Rogaining is, in fact an Australian creation. A predecessor to the sport was organized by the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club as early as 1947. However, it was not until the late 70's when rogaining as it is known today was formally organized by the Victorian Rogaining Association. For those still thinking, rogaining takes its name from Rod Phillips, Gail Davis and Neil Phillips, considered to be the founders of the sport. However, some enthusiasts also take it to mean Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance (a lengthy, but apt, backronym for the sport).

A rogaining event is typically played out on a predetermined course, though there are no exact specifications of length. Usually the route takes the teams into the Australian outback, though there are also events that are played out on the cities (called metrogaines), some of which can span several cities. Though races are also commonly held on foot, rogaining using bikes are also quite popular.

The main objective of a rogaining event is to reach and cover as many of the various stations scattered on the course as possible within the given period. Teams are judged based on the difficulty of getting to a particular station, as well as the time it took them to get to that station. Teams basically start at a central base and cover as many stations as they want during any given time. They are also allowed to return to the base to eat and rest and log in their results.

Most rogaining events usually last from around two to eight hours. Championship level events often last for 24 hours each. One of the most challenging rogaining competition is the so called “endurogaines”, which can last for 50 hours nonstop.

The main challenge of the sport is basically navigating the whole course. Here, careful teamwork between you and your members is definitely a must if you want to advance. Also, you also need to be rather phisically fit in order to travel, as some stations can be quite a workout to reach. However, you will surely come across some wonderful sites, which will make all the effort even more worth it.

So what are you waiting for? Better get ready for the next event to come.

Sources:

Rogaining, Wikipedia Article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogaining

Rogaining Beginner's Guide

http://www.us.orienteering.org/Docs/rogaine_top_ten.pdf

Images

http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au/recreation-sport-fac/recreational-trails.html

http://www.trailsolutionsaustralia.com.au/TSAEAGLE.htm