Is Rogaining for you?
Rogaining is a team pursuit sport that involves freestyle navigation, on foot only, across large distances of cross-country terrain. Rogaining is designed to test the participants level of fitness, teamwork, endurance, map-reading and strategy-forming. There are no set routes to follow, and competitors compete in teams of two to five, rather than alone.
Teams score marks by finding their way to a series of checkpoints, somewhat similar to orienteering but much more free flowing. Some checkpoints are more difficult to to reach and earn more points, so teams may choose to chase fewer but harder checkpoints to make up points, or grab as many easier ones as possible in the time limit allowed.
Rogaines tend to be fairly long events, typically taking place over six, eight, 12 or 24 hours. Championship events are 24 hour continuous events seeing competitive teams covering over 100km distance.
Competitors use a topographic map and and analogue compass. Rogaining is good value for money, all you need is basic bushwalking gear including a compass, whistle, pencil, water bottle, comfortable and warm clothes and shoes, a waterproof jacket and a basic team first aid kit.
Classic rogaine events involve both day and night navigation, so a head-mounted lap is required for these. You should also carry some fluids in the form of a water bottle or a back-mounted rehydration pack. Many rogaine events feature a central base camp that provides hot meals and drinks, where teams can return to these at any time to rest and eat.
For a variation, you can try a Endurogaine, a super-long rogaine event that lasts up to 50 hours. Then there is the Metrogaine, a navigation event held in cities. You may also come across Cyclogaines where the competitor uses a mountain bike. Other variations include the Snogaine involving skiing and snow shoeing, and the Paddlegaine event where you use a kayak. All involve navigation and teams.
For more information about Rogaining in Australia follow these links…
Australian Rogaining Association
International Rogaining Federation
New South Wales Rogaining Association
ACT Rogaining Association
Queensland Rogaine Association
South Australian Rogaining Association
Rogaining Tasmania
Victorian Rogaining Association
Northern Territory Rogaining Association
Western Australian Rogaining Association