Adventure Racing Levels

Central Florida Adventure Racers has been offering races at three different levels; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. This blog entry is to explain the levels of these races and help racers select the proper level for their race. Race levels are NOT an indication of level of fitness, they are a measure of necessary skills necessary to successfully complete a race at that level.

Beginners Level - These races are designed to be done by anyone, including parents with kids as young as 8 years old. The length of these races is usually shorter (about one hour). Skills should include biking, basic paddling (not open water) in canoes or kayaks, and basic navigation (skill level of reading a road map). These are appropriate for any athletic level and the competitive aspect is typically de-emphasized.

Intermediate Level - This level does require a minimum level of fitness. Athletes should be comfortable with the concept of paddling, biking, or running for at least 1/4 of the overall time of the race.

• Navigation Requirements - Ability to read a compass and shoot a bearing, Orange level navigation proficiency, understanding of map scales and legends.
• Biking Requirements - Comfort with semi-critical single track biking, ability to do basic bike maintenance such as changing a tire.
• Paddling Requirements - Should be capable of basic paddling and controlling both canoes and kayaks (without rudder). Sufficiently strength to portage canoe on simple terrain.
• Trekking and Running - Capable of comfortably running 3-5 miles at an easy pace.

Advanced Level - This level is designed for racers with significant experience and should not be entered except by teams with experienced racers who know what they are getting into.

• Navigation - Expect advanced navigation, plotting of UTM coordinates, map transpositions, use of scales and estimation of times and distances. Red or Blue level orienteering proficiency.
• Biking Requirements - Racers should be comfortable on advanced single-track and any terrain, include bike carries in difficult terrain. Ability to dissasemble and handle bike repairs such as fixing a broken chain, single gearing (broken derailer), and patch repairs of tires.
• Paddling Requirements - Should be comfortable paddling all types of boats under many conditions (open water and chop). Should be able to execute a self rescue and perform rescue assists. Strength should be sufficient to portage boats for long distances in adverse terrain.
• Trekking Requirements - Should be capable of all types of terrain travel, bushwhack, swamp, and other.
• Ropes and Climbing (if specified)- Basic knowledge of climbing technique, ability to tie swedish harness, ascent with hand ascenders or croll, rappel with ATC or Figure 8, basic safety knowledge, use of Prussik and safety line, use of climbing knots.

Hopefully this guide gives racers the knoweldge neceesary to decide on the best race to enjoy the action and be successful.