True West Schools Adventure Race
True West Schools Adventure Race
This is your chance to get outdoors, challenge yourself, and experience the thrill of adventure racing with your mates.
Whether you're new to adventure racing or already have a few races under your belt, True West Schools is all about teamwork, navigation, outdoor skills and taking on an adventure in classic West Coast terrain.
It’s also a stepping stone into the wider sport of adventure racing and the legendary True West events.
Team Options
You can race in teams of 2, 3 or 4 students.
Girls, boys and mixed-gender teams are all welcome.
The main Competitive Schools category is for mixed-gender teams of four. There’s a reason for this: True West Schools is designed not only as a great adventure race for young people, but also as a pathway into the wider sport, where mixed-gender teams are the standard format at many major adventure races.
We want young racers to start building those teams, friendships and racing skills from an early age.
School Race Categories
Competitive Schools Category
To be eligible for the main competitive placings and prizes, teams must:
* Have four team members
* Be mixed gender
* Have all four students racing within the correct school-year category
* Include students from a maximum of two schools
The age categories are:
Junior: Years 7-8
Intermediate: Years 9-10
Senior: Years 11-13
Students cannot race up into an older age category for competitive placings.
Open Schools Category
Not every team will fit the Competitive Schools format, and that's absolutely fine. We want as many young people as possible out there adventure racing.
The Open Schools category is for:
* Teams of 2, 3 or 4 students
* All-boys or all-girls teams
* Teams containing students from different age grades
* Teams that don't otherwise meet the Competitive Schools category requirements
For example, if a team has two Year 8 students and two Year 9 students, they are welcome to race together, but will race in the Open Schools category rather than Junior or Intermediate.
Open Schools teams complete the same event and receive an official result, but are not eligible for the main Competitive Schools category placings and prizes.
What’s Included?
Expect a real adventure race, including:
* Mountain biking
* Trekking
* Navigation
* Wild West Special Test
Whether you're racing hard for a result or simply want an unforgettable outdoor adventure with your mates, this is your opportunity to get amongst it.
No Support Crew Required
True West Schools is an unsupported event - it’s about your team, your decisions and your ability to work together in the West Coast environment.
Get your team together, start training and get ready for an adventure!
Safety Requirements for School Teams
Adventure racing takes teams into outdoor environments where you need to be able to look after yourselves and each other.
To take part in the True West Schools Adventure Race, all team members must meet the following safety requirements.
Swimming
You must be able to swim confidently.
River Crossings
You must feel confident crossing rivers, including:
-Slow-moving water up to waist height
-Faster-flowing water up to knee height
Water depth and difficulty can feel different depending on your height, experience and the conditions on the day.
Mobile Phone
Everyone in the team must know how to use the team's mobile phone, including:
* How to unlock the phone and knowing the PIN
* Who to call in an emergency
* What to do if your team needs assistance
Following Event Rules
Team members must be trustworthy and follow all event rules, course instructions and directions from race officials.
Cycling and Road Rules
All team members must:
* Know and follow New Zealand road rules for cyclists
* Ride safely and responsibly at all times
Basic First Aid
Teams should have basic first-aid knowledge, including:
* Treating cuts, grazes and blisters
* Managing sprains and minor injuries
* Recognising signs of hypothermia and overheating
* Knowing when to seek medical assistance
Navigation
At least one person in your team must be confident with:
-Reading a map
-Following written course instructions
These requirements are there to help keep you, your teammates and other competitors safe while allowing teams to enjoy the challenge and independence that make adventure racing such a great sport.
