 | We have been scouting some new locations and found a great one -- Bayard Conservation Area. |
| Information about our adventure races will be announced here and
notices will be sent to our notification list. To be notified, be sure
that you sign up for our notices by completing our online
form -- click here to be notified. |
| Team Check-in and Mandatory Meeting -- PROCEDURE FOR
2009 ADVENTURE RACE SERIES events:
|
| When the race is scheduled for Bayard Conservation
Area (also called J. P. Hall Preserve): On race day between 7:45am and
8:10am, enter the EAST parking lot of Bayard Conservation Area (BCA). Park
as designated by signs or Race Officials. Walk to the Main Transition (MT) area with your Paddle gear and place it in
the MT as directed by Race Officials. Deliver your kayaks and/or
canoes to the Paddle Staging Area at the north side of the Main
Transition.
After checking in with the Race Official by the MT, leave only
your boats at the Paddle Staging Area. Your paddles, and lifejackets
will be placed inside the MT. After dropping off your Paddle
gear, get your bikes and other gear. Store your bikes and other gear inside
the MT. Complete your set up in the Main Transition by 8:45am -- and
be ready for the Team Meeting at 8:45am. |
| Carpooling is strongly encouraged, due to the
limited parking. It is
important for your Team (and spectators) to arrive in one vehicle and
park in the parking lot, near the trailhead and Main
Transition. DO NOT PARK ON HIGHWAY! If there is no
available parking in the east lot, racers will be directed to park in
the west lot, which is just a short distance west along Hwy 16. |
| Team Meeting and Start -- On race day just prior
to 8:45am, all Teams are to assemble on foot with your Essential Gear
on the Start Area in front of the Main Transition Area. Line up along
an north/south oriented Start Line to receive final start
instructions. Of The Essential Gear, Teams will not
need bikes, kayaks, canoes, paddles, or life jackets with them at the
starting line. Teams will
need to have any other Mandatory Gear listed in The Essential Gear
list. We plan to start the race at 9:00am. |
| We are very excited about The Performance Adventure Racing Series -- we have been designing the
courses, getting needed permits, and preparing the
special events within the races. We know these races will be a good
introduction to those new to adventure racing and definitely challenging
for Teams with experience. |
| Teams in the Super Sprint race -- The Super Sprint race is intended as
both an introduction for
newcomers to the sport of Adventure Racing and a good challenge for those wanting a quick
adrenaline fix. The Super Sprint does not require kayaks or canoes for
the racers. There will still be plenty of challenge and
opportunity to go home dirty (& looking like you were working hard). |
| Late registration -- There are
spaces for teams and you can register by mailing your
entry not later than a week before the race, or in person at the Team
Check-in on the day before the race. In order for us to be better
prepared for all teams, please
send an email to us to notify Performance of your intentions
-- list team name, team captain name, team category (for example:
2-person coed) and distance/race you intent to enter. |
| Acknowledgement of Risk, Release of Liability, and
Indemnification Agreement -- Each team member needs to print out a
copy of the Release - Acknowledgement of Risk, Release of Liability, and
Indemnification Agreement and either send it with your mailed registration or
bring it to Team Check-in on the morning of the race. Click here for the
Acknowledgement form. |
| For directions to
each race site, please visit our AR
Series Directions page. |
| Maps of the race area are at these web
locations --
For races at Bayard Conservation Area: Click
here for Bayard CA maps
For races at Guana Research Reserve: 1. Topo Map of Guana Reserve.
2. Map of Guana Reserve south trails and
Wildlife Management Area. It would be wise for you to make copies
of these maps for your Team. |
| Accommodations -- Please visit the AR
Series Lodging page for additional listings for each race site. |
| Notification List -- if you would like to be notified of
upcoming events from Performance Multisports, you can click
here to be added to our Notification List and get the
information early. |
| The Race Course -- Though there will be a Main Transition
(MT) area and Teams will return to it and have access to it from time
to time, it is best if Teams think of this as a wilderness race in
which you move from point-to-point without encountering your gear,
except as the Race Instructions permit. Teams can and will be
directed away from the MT for hours at a time, so it is important to
plan fluids and fuel accordingly. |
| There may be portions of this course where you
are allowed to bike on paved roads. If Race Instructions cause you to
follow parallel to any paved roads on foot, such as a trek or portage,
your Team must stay on the left side of the road, facing any
traffic. You may move on paved roads (with caution) if the Race
Instructions direct you to do so, but Teams
may not remain on pavement as you travel on foot if there is dirt or
grass on the side of the paved area. Infractions will
result in severe Team penalties. From the Start signal, Teams will
have some mystery events and check points along the course at
seemingly random locations. Always announce your Team Name and Number
to Check Point officials as you approach. |
| Remain together as a Team through each portion
of the Race 10 meters apart is the limit allowed. There is no
advantage to being separated. Separated Teams will be stopped until
reunited. Excessive separation will result in severe time penalties or
disqualification. |
| Volunteers -- Race Officials on the course are
volunteers, giving their time to help make this day of
adventure both a success and a challenge for you. Please follow their
instructions and carefully follow the written instructions they
provide at various Check Points. If you have an emergency, ask them to
notify the Race Headquarters. They are here to ensure safety and fair
play. It would also be considerate for you to thank them as your pass
through their Check Points and when you see Race Officials along the
course. Without generous volunteers, races such as the Performance
Adventure Racing Series would not be possible. |
| Become a Volunteer Race Official --
we enjoy having interested people work with us for each Adventure Race. If you
or a friend are interested in being a
volunteer Race Official for a race, contact our Volunteer
Coordinator by email
(click here) . |
| Mandatory Equipment -- The Performance
AR
Series Gear page lists all
gear that is mandatory and is specific about which items must be with
the Team at all times. It also list items that are required for each
Teammate. For example, if the list states: " Spare bike inner tube -- MANDATORY at all times - one per Team member"
that means that each member of the Team is required to have a spare
bike inner tube on his/her person at all times. If the list states:
"Bike repair kit -- MANDATORY at all times - at least one per
Team," then that means that a Team must have at least one bike
repair kit with the Team at all times. (I realize this seemed clear to
some Teams, but others have asked about it.) |
| Kayak/canoe Portages -- Whenever required to
portage your kayaks or canoes, your boat is NOT ALLOWED to be
touching the ground while moving. Your team may use a wheeled
device to transport your boat during the portage, but any
conveyance must also be carried securely on the boat during any
paddling on water. If you chose not to use a wheeled device, your team
must carry the kayak or canoe off the ground when it is moved over
land, including any beach, trails, or roads. |
| Canoes or Kayaks -- In the Mid-Distance Race
(6-hour), Teams may use either canoes or kayaks --
or both or any combination of the two. Yes, a two-person team is
allowed to use one canoe and one kayak -- or everyone can be in one
boat -- or two boats, if you choose. For rentals of kayaks or canoes, see
the Kayak Rentals page. See next note about portaging your canoes or kayaks. |
| Paddle Section -- Paddle sections
will be held on waters local to the race site -- Parts of the Paddle Section
often include portages. Teams
will
be permitted to use their own wheeled dollies or carriers for the portages,
though all wheeled equipment must also be taken with the Kayak or Canoe at
all times and cannot be picked up or left along the course.
This would mean transporting the wheeled gear while paddling. Boats
are not allowed to be dragged on the ground. Contact the Race Director
about renting a carrier or see the
AR Series Optional Gear list for suggestions about carriers for
sale. |
| For races at Guana Research Reserve: Teams MUST remain on designated trails and use
wooden bridges when traveling in the southern part of Guana Reserve
(south of the fence marking the Guana WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA).
Teams are NOT ALLOWED to cross any man-made,
wooden bridges either on foot or on bikes when in the Guana Wildlife
Management Area (north of the dividing fence). In the WMA, if biking, dismount, take your bike around the bridge on
foot, and continue on the course as directed in your instructions. In
this race, bridges in the WMA are considered as obstacles and may not be touched.
Cheating will result in disqualification or severe penalties. |
| There could be Team mystery events and check-in
points along the course at seemingly random locations. There will
be Instruction Sheets that
Teams must retrieve and carry, record, or hole-punch along the course
when completing a check-in. Do not lose your Instructions or maps. Teams need to have all Instructions and maps with the Team, until told to
turn them in to a Race Official during the Race. Teams need to complete all challenges prior to the finish to
have completed The Race. |
| Protect all Instruction sheets and Check Markers.
At times Teams may be required to mark their Instruction sheets
directly or to write information from race signs. These must be
verified to get further instructions.
Cutting corners will cause you to miss Check Points and
Check Markers not mentioned in Instructions. |
| Cut-off Times -- there will be a time deadlines for
finishing The Performance AR races. Teams must reach a designated
finish area to have officially completed each Performance Adventure
Race within time limits. |
| Bike Helmets -- In the interest of overall Team safety, the
PAR Series Gear list has been updated to include bike helmets as an
item that must be carried (or worn) by racers at all times. See
changes to the PAR Series Gear here and while you are at it, be sure to familiarize your Team with
The PAR Series Rules. |
| Hydration -- There may not be locations along the
race course where Teams will be able to get some water or
sports/energy drinks. However, Teams should plan to carry enough fluids
(and foods) to be self-sufficient for up to three hours at a time if not
returning to the Main Transition. Take advantage of any opportunity to
"fill up" your bottles or fluid bladders when passing
through the Main Transition -- fluid replacement opportunities will be
limited at other locations on the race course. |
| Bug Repellant -- we have encountered parts of the
course for The PAR Series that sometimes have serious bug populations
-- and they seem to like human companionship. We suggest that you
carry your favorite bug repellant with you. Of course, cold weather
could slow the little critters down. |
| Sun Block -- we recommend that each Teammate carry plenty of
sun block and lip balm. Watch out for each other and re-apply
sun block often in our Florida sunshine. |
| Free Advice -- Be sure to pace yourselves and plan on
carrying plenty of fluids. Your Team will also want to replace energy,
as well as electrolytes, so bring sports gels and electrolyte
replacements such as Hammer Gel and Endurolyte, found at www.e-caps.com
and good sports stores. Read over the PAR Series Gear list. When you are
given printed instructions, read over them thoroughly before acting; think about
what is required in any race instructions you receive on the course. This
race is about managing your resources (not just going fast at the
beginning). Don't forget that the
Mystery Events are meant to break up some of the "usual"
disciplines, so enjoy them. Be good to your teammates and your Team
will be good to you. That nervousness you may be feeling is just
excess energy you have not yet turned toward a positive purpose. Plan
to have a good time and don't forget: that is why you are racing in
The PAR Series races. |
| Racing Categories and Awards -- There will be 2-person Teams and Solo competitors racing in The Performance
Adventure Racing Series. First, Second, and Third Place awards are
presented in the following 2-Person Team categories only: 2-Person Coed;
2-Person Male; 2-Person Female. The 2-Person
teams will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place collectively as a
division no matter what their gender mix or age, as will Solo Female and Solo Male. (The Military/Public Safety discounts do
not designate additional racing categories, though we wanted to
provide special discount/incentive for military, fire, rescue, police, sheriff,
lifeguard, and similar public safety personnel. Teams who enter with
the Military/Public Safety discount get to race in the above
categories.) |
| Cancellation Policy: Much of the cost of providing an
adventure race is spent long before you arrive at the race site. In
fact, most of our costs need to be paid in advance and are not
recoverable. Typically, we go forward with an adventure race
"rain or shine." If severe weather conditions or other
issues out of our control (such as hurricane or the closing of the
race site by order of the local government), we will postpone and
reschedule our race. The race organizers are not responsible for such
changes in schedule, and will credit any paid entries toward the
rescheduled race date. If a written cancellation of registration is
initiated by the participant more than 21 days in advance of the event
date, full credit will be available. If participant's cancellation
notice is sent 21 days or less (before the race), a 50% credit will be
applied; 10 days or less, a 25% credit; less than 120 hours notice, or
no notice ("no shows") will receive no credit. Any such
credit is good for 180 days from the date of the scheduled event
toward entry/registration in another similar Performance Multisports
event. Refunds are not available. |
| When race is scheduled for Guana Tolomato Matanzas
National Estuarine Research Reserve: On race day between 7:45am and
8:10am, enter
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Guana
Reserve or GTMNERR). DO NOT PARK OR DRIVE ON ANY GRASS or on dirt
(other than designated dirt roadway)! After passing the entry/guard gate, proceed west
to the end of the paved parking lot and before the start of the
dirt road. Park your vehicle in a marked space, on the paved parking
lot in the westernmost paved parking lot, closest to the
trailhead. Walk DO NOT DRIVE west on the dirt roadway
to the Main Transition (MT) area with your Paddle gear and place it in
the MT as directed by Race Officials. Deliver your kayaks and/or
canoes to the Paddle Staging Area at the east side of the Main
Transition, just north of the westernmost paved parking lot.
After checking in with the Race Official by the MT, leave only
your boats at the Paddle Staging Area. Your paddles, and lifejackets
will be placed inside the MT. After dropping off your Paddle
gear, get your bikes and other gear. Store your bikes and other gear inside
the MT. Complete your set up in the Main Transition by 8:45am -- and
be ready for the Team Meeting at 8:45am. |
