Outdoor adventures with Andy Flanagan

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Sport

Adventure Racing

AS you may well have guessed I like a bit of outdoor adventure; a while back a sport called Adventure Racing caught my eye. It’s 10 years on now and my wife and I have had the privilege to complete many ARs, so I thought it might be nice to share a quick insight into this amazing and diverse sport.

AR is a team sport with 2 or 4 per team and has 3 core disciplines; Mountain biking, Kayaking, Trekking and often other challenges like pack rafting rapids, climbing, abseiling, archery, puzzles, high ropes, etc The time frames vary depending on the event, some as short as 3 hours and some as long as 100 - 6 and 24 hour are quite common. The rules are fairly simple; navigate the course within the specified timeframe with only a compass and supplied maps, punching checkpoints along the way, carry required mandatory equipment like first aid kit and phone for use in emergency only, and stay within the boundaries of supplied maps.

All maps and information are provided on the day of the event or the day prior for longer races. All details of the course are kept secret untill the maps are handed out. The only course information available prior to the race is where the HQ is located, times and equipment required. Once maps are handed out competitors plan their route and sort their equipment that they will require at various transitions on the course, then submit these to the race organisers before heading to the start line. Equipment you will need - comfy shoes, accurate compass, mountain bike, wet weather jacket, backpack suitable to carry water and mandatory kit, high-powered head torch for night navigating, and what ever else you think you might need and are happy to carry on your back. Overnight events may require a thermal layer and a bivvy bag and most events provide kayaks.

The pics are of our most recent achievement, completing the Rogue Raid 100 Hour held down in the Clarence Valley, where we covered a modest 320km on mountain bike, kayak, trekking and packrafting. The elite teams covered well over 600km getting 1 or 2 hours sleep per night! Highlights were 45km of white water packrafting on the Nymboida, trekking Gibraltar Range National Park, paddling 70km on the mighty Clarence river and climbing 20m+ up a pine tree to punch a check point.

The Sunshine Coast is host to a couple of regular Adventure racing events - the Hells Bells 24hour by Wild & Co and the Kathmandu Wild Horse by Max Adventure. The latter is a great one to get you started. Another option to learn about AR’s intricacies here on the coast is to join Jan and Kim at Tri Adventure. The sunshine coast is an adventure playground so get amongst it! See you out there.

Andy Flanagan - Mountain biker, Unicyclist, Trail runner, senior mech at Spoke n Trail and owner of Sunshine Unicycles. Photo credit Rogue Raid 100 and Wendy Flanagan

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Zinc 96 Prince & Princess Race

THE Prince and Princess race is now incorporated into the main King of the Mountain race.

Prince and Princess runners will start 30 seconds after the main race runners have departed. Prince and Princess runners will follow the main race runners past the Lions Den and out to the base of the mountain where they will turn left and do a small loop before joining back onto the main track back to the finish line.

The total course distance is 2.8km with 100m of vertical gain. The course is designed for 9-13 year olds (competitors race as per their age on the day) as a lead up race for children interested in one day competing in the main King of the Mountain challenge.

King of the Mountain Sunday July 24 kingofthemountain.com.au @pomonakingofthemountain

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Under 7 Pomona Cooran Cutters wishing all the Mums a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’

RACQ DONATE AED TO LOCAL CLUB

COOROORA United Football Club is now equipped with a life saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) thanks to the support of the RACQ.

There is a common misconception that Sudden Cardiac Arrest only happens to older or unhealthy people. The sad truth is that Sudden Cardiac Arrest doesn’t discriminate, and it can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Having an AED close to where several people undertake physical exercise is vitally important as research shows early intervention increases the likelihood of survival in an emergency.

Secretary, Barry Luckman, thanked the RACQ for their donation of the AED. “While we hope that it would never have to be

Secretary Barry Luckman, Treasurer Zorana Binney and two of CUFCs Junior Players with the AED

used, it gives us confidence that if the worst happened, this critical piece of equipment would be on hand to assist,” Mr Luckman said.

As we share the clubhouse with other sports clubs in Cooroy the AED will be available to a wide range of sports participants throughout the year.

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LASER RADIALS NORTH QLD CHAMPION

LAKE Cootharaba Sailing Club Juniors Jack Reynolds, Maia Raymond, Seisia Mair, Hana Lena Jenkin and Brandon Bok represented the club in regattas as far afield as Victoria and North Queensland.

Sailing in the Victoria Youth Championships, Sail Airlie Beach and the O’pen Skiff State Championships. Well done all!

Big congratulations to Jack Reynolds for winning the North Queensland Championship in the Laser Radials at Airlie Beach!

SOCIAL TENNIS COOROY

SOCIAL tennis at Cooroy Tennis Club is a great way to get some exercise and spend time outside with fellow lovers of tennis. Playing times for social tennis are Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7.30-9.30am, Sunday evening 6-8pm. Members $3, Non-members $6, balls provided. For more information contact Ian Garvey 0409 581 870, Dorelle Goldsworthy 0403 737 183 or Lyn Barker 0439 648 407. Coaching lessons available from the Club’s professional coach. Contact James Webber 0473 569 501 or admin@allplaytennis.com.au

Rising stars make an impact

IMPACT Boxing rising stars Paige Robinson, Cohen Robinson, Carson Lawrence and Kean Welsh have recently returned from a successful trip to Townsville where they competed in the prestigious North Queensland Games where they represent not only their club but also the South East Qld region.

The four returned with four Gold Medals and a Silver medal.

Paige Robinson was the stand out for the team securing two gold medals in two different weight divisions. Paige competed in the 60kg division on the Saturday and then stepped up to the 63kg division and competed on the Sunday also, beating two Townsville girls to win two Gold Medals.

Next up was Cohen Robinson who won his bout securing a Gold medal against a tall awkward fighter from Gladstone.

Carson Lawrence lost a close bout against a boxer from Gladstone that he had recently beat in Bundaberg to secure a Silver medal. The boys are now one win a piece and the decider is already on the cards. Paige Robinson, Cohen Robinson, Carson Lawrence & Keana Welsh

After a late change in opponents due to a pull out, Keana Welsh competed against a boxer from Cairns. Keana boxed superbly to secure another Gold medal for the Impact crew.

“As always I am proud as punch with the way the team performed. They always turn up to fight and are a great example that hard work reaps the rewards,” Coach Mark Evans said.

Next stop for team Impact is the Qld State Titles.

PROFESSIONAL UPDATE

IMPACT’S professional boxers took centre stage recently at Aussie World where Bryce Hegarty made his professional debut and Keiran Whitehead competed for the Qld Supermiddle weight Title.

Above: Bryce Hegarty won a unanimous decision in his professional debut in an action packed bout.

Left: Keiran Whitehead slugged out an eight round war in his Super Middleweight Title bout. Both boys had their moments throughout the fight. In the end the judges couldn’t split the boys apart and the bout ended in a draw. Looks like a rematch is on the cards. A BIG SHOUT also to Ange Harries who represented Australia at the Women’s World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Ange drew the tournament favourite in the first round of competition and despite putting in a gallant effort was defeated in that bout. “I’m so proud of what this super mum has achieved. To see her walk out to centre stage on the biggest boxing event in the world made me feel so proud. To have another athlete represent their country from our small club in Cooroy is a huge achievement,” Coach Mark Evans said.

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