Rogaining
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rogaining is the sport of long distance cross-country navigation. It is closely related to orienteering and many people enjoy both sports. The key features that distinguish rogaining are:
- it is a team sport,
- rogaines are much longer events, usually 6, 8, 12 or 24 hours,
- teams choose their own route as there is no set course, and
- the emphasis is on participation and having fun rather than competition.
Contents |
[edit] History
Rogaining can trace its roots back to 1947 when the first of many events with some of the features of rogaines was organized by the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club. These events led to the birth of the sport of rogaining in April, 1976, in Melbourne, Australia. The sport was named, rules were adopted and the world’s first rogaining association was formed (the Victorian Rogaining Association). Growth of the association and the sport occurred rapidly over the next decade.
The word rogaining is derived from the names of three of the founders, Rod Phillips, Gail Davis and Neil Phillips (RoGaiNe, hence 'rogaining', 'rogainer' etc) who were all members of the Surrey-Thomas Rover Crew that organized the world's first rogaine. The name was formally adopted by the Victorian Rogaining Association at its inaugural annual general meeting in August, 1976 and accepted by the Scouts Australia and University bushwalking groups to give the new sport an identity in its own right.
[edit] Basic play
Teams of two to five members visit as many checkpoints as possible in twenty-four hours. Checkpoints are scored differently depending on level of difficulty in reaching them; therefore teams choose a strategy (for example, to visit many low score checkpoints). Teams travel entirely on foot, navigating by map and compass between checkpoints in terrain that varies from open farmland to hilly forest. A central base camp known as a "hash house" provides hot meals throughout the event and teams may return at any time to eat, rest or sleep. Teams travel at their own pace and anyone from children to grandparents can experience the personal satisfaction that comes from cross-country navigation at their own level of competition and comfort. Team members stay within earshot of each other.
The normal length for a Rogaine is 24 hours, but shorter variations such as 6, 8, 12 and 15 hour events are also held (sometimes concurrently with a 24 hour event). Depending on the terrain, experienced rogaining teams can cover more than one hundred kilometers over the 24 hour period. There have also been longer events (dubbed "Endurogaines") lasting 48 and 50 hours. In their native Australia, rogaines are usually held every month during weekends near full moons, with annual state championships and an annual national championship. They require dozens of volunteers to run, including course setters and caterers and are often attended by hundreds of participants.
[edit] Variants
Other forms of rogaining are popular, particularly in Australia during the months when normal rogaines are not held because of the weather. Popular variations include::
- Metrogaine - An event of usually around 6 hours and held in predominantly urban areas.
- Cyclogaine - Usually run for 6 hours in areas with trails suitable for mountainbiking.
- Snogaine - Held in areas that are snowbound and participants may either snowshoe or ski to reach checkpoints.
- Paddlogaine - A rogaine on a water covered area, such as a set of interconnected lakes, participants can generally use any human powered watercraft they want.
- Pubgaine - A much shorter (2-3 hours) social event held in urban areas where all the checkpoints are pubs.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The International Rogaining Federation has a more complete history of the sport.
- The 7th World Rogaining Championship was held in October 2006 in Australia.
- The Australian Rogaining Association is the peak body for state rogaining associations in Australia.
- The New Zealand Rogaining Association is the peak body for rogaining in New Zealand.
- The Victorian Rogaining Association (Australia)
- The Western Australian Rogaining Association (Australia)
- Rogaine Ireland is an annual event in Ireland, held in June.
