|
| |
The
BEAR Essentials
-- the equipment needed
Your Team must provide the Mandatory Equipment
on this page -- (and may also want to include some of our Recommended
Equipment listed farther down this page) |
|
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT for
each Participant -- note that "Mandatory at all times" means that
you need to have these items with you all the way through The BEAR:
 | WATERPROOF DOCUMENT CASES
-- MANDATORY at all times
-- at least one per Team
for maps, instructions, etc.
-- Important. Hefty bags and Zip-Loc type bags have proven too weak
and will not be sufficient. |
| Copy of The BEAR Rules -- MANDATORY at all times -- at least
one copy per Team |
| Copy of this Mandatory Equipment list -- MANDATORY at all times
-- at least one copy per Team |
| Any Passport or map issued by The BEAR Adventure Race
Officials. Teams should also print these
maps - click here |
| BIKE -- mountain or
all-terrain -- MANDATORY for Bike Stages |
| BIKE HELMET -- MANDATORY at all times!
(Helmets must accompany racers at all times and must be worn in situations when activities
warrant this protection, such as climbing and biking. Helmets must be
worn at all times when moving or riding bikes during Bike Stages. Any Team without a
helmet on each member during the Bike leg will be disqualified; no
refunds will be considered.) |
| KAYAKS or CANOES -- MANDATORY for Paddling
Stages-- You need to bring your own kayaks (singles or doubles) or canoes on race
day with paddles that would be awaiting your team at the transition to the Paddle Section
of the BEAR Course. Since some parts of The BEAR may take place on the shore of the ocean,
kayaks are recommended, though you may choose to use a canoe, if desired by your Team.
The choice is up to your Team. If
you need a kayak, see below for Kayak Rentals and sales. |
| USCG-approved Life jacket for each team
member -- MANDATORY -- Automatic or manually-inflatable personal
flotation devices (PFDs) are not allowed for The BEAR race. (The life
jackets you are to bring are in addition to any that could be provided by The BEAR
race management as part of the mystery events -- Teams must bring their own Life Jackets
with their kayaks/canoes, and paddles for check-in on Race Day.) Life jackets must
be worn and secured (zipped, buckled, or tied) at any times when Teams are in,
around, or using kayaks/canoes. |
| Spare bike inner tube --
MANDATORY at all times -
one per Team member |
| Bike repair kit -- MANDATORY at all
times - at least one per Team
(items to be determined by
your team, but sufficient to get your bike repaired in the woods and to
get you back to the MT safely) |
| Portable bike pump -- MANDATORY at all
times - at least one per Team (in
addition to any CO2 inflators you may have) |
| Compass -- MANDATORY at all times -- one
for each Team member. (NEED
TO LEARN TO USE A COMPASS? Hold
down the Ctrl key and click here to
find simple instructions that you can download. Here is another good set
of instructions for map
& compass: Hold down the Ctrl key and click here OR for instructions
and video from REI, click here ) |
| Water bottles or other carriers for
fluids -- MANDATORY at all times (can be a Camelbak or
other hydration bladder system) |
| First Aid Kit --
MANDATORY
at all times - At least one per team. As per USARA
sanctioning rules, the first aid must contain the following: (2) 2x2 or
3x3 sterile dressing, (2) 3x4 non adherent sterile dressing, (1)
conforming gauze bandage, (4) 1x3 adhesive bandage, (3) knuckle adhesive
bandage, (1) tape 1/2"x 10 yards, (1) swift wrap elastic bandage,
(Cool 200mg. Ibuprofen, (2) antihistamine (Diphenhydramine), (2)
afterbite sting relief, (1) moleskin, (5) towelettes, (3) antibiotic
ointment, (1) tincture of benzoin (or other anti-bactial), (3) butterfly closure bandage, (2)
pair nitrile gloves, (1) tweezer, (3) safety pins, (1) duct tape, (2) Aloksak
waterproof bag (see http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/index.cfm?do=detail&productid=1)
to protect your first aid gear. This is all intended for your safety -- you may carry additional first aid
gear, but don't skimp. We highly recommend that at least two members of
each Team be trained in First Aid and CPR. |
| Gloves -- MANDATORY at all times --
at
least one pair of your choice per Team member |
| Folding knife, not more than 3-inch blade -- MANDATORY
at all times -- one per Team member. |
| Rope or Webbing -- 8' - 10' length -- MANDATORY at all
times -- one per Team member (sufficient to hold up your
weight) |
| Whistle -- on a lanyard -- MANDATORY
at all times -- at least one per Team member |
| Bandana (dark color) -- MANDATORY at
all times -- at least one per Team member |
| Carabiner -- MANDATORY at all times
-- at least one per Team member (sufficient strength to hold up your
weight) |
| Pencil & note paper -- MANDATORY at all
times for recording information on the course, one of each per
Team member. |
| Sun Block -- MANDATORY at all times
-- each Team member should carry his or her own. |
Gear
labeled as "Mandatory at all times" may be verified at any time by the race staff. There will be checks during the race
for mandatory team and personnel gear. Please plan accordingly.
Kayaks or Canoes: Kayak or canoe, and
paddles for the Paddle portion of the race must be provided by your Team. On race morning, Teams will bring their own Kayaks or Canoes, life jackets and paddles to the area
designated by Race Managers (disclosed at the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting on the evening before the
Race). Teams must also bring and use their own life jackets for the Paddle
Segment. We will discuss the Paddle Segment during the Mandatory Meeting. Keep
in mind that our race site is located close to the oceanfront, is not far from
the River
and the Intracoastal Waterway, and it also includes some lakes. The exact courses will be
disclosed the day of the race, as the race unfolds, but Teams should be prepared
to paddle on a river, ocean, or lake. For Rental
suggestions, see NOTE below on this page.
Forbidden Equipment:
| Weapons |
| G. P. S. (global positioning
system, including Garmin Forerunners, Timex Speed & Distance System
or similar watch and GPS combinations) |
| Cell Phones or two-way radios |
| Any maps other than those distributed by The
BEAR Race Managers for this event. |
Teams found with any of these items will be
immediately disqualified from The BEAR.
Items below are
Suggested/Recommended for your Team to consider:
NEED TO LEARN TO USE A COMPASS?
Click here to find
simple instructions that you can download.
When looking for gear and clothing for The BEAR, we recommend that
you check out our SPONSORS:
|  Mountaineering -- offers a discount to all of our racers/crew/, volunteers and support staff.
Get a discount of 10% off all regularly priced items and an extra 5% off all sale items when you
go to the Moosejaw site and simply enter coupon code: "Clocky Radu" every time you checkout -- and your discount will be automatically applied.
|
| ARMY
NAVY
Outdoors
-- Located at 127 Monument Road, Jacksonville, FL. This store has a
fine selection of gear needed for The BEAR race -- or your next
adventure. You'll find backpacks, boots, shoes, outdoor clothing,
camping equipment, and more from a variety of manufacturers. Call (904)
725-5000 for information about items you need or directions to the store.
Here is a suggestion for keeping lots of fluids with you on the race -- click
here for Camelbak.
|
NOTE: BIKES, KAYAKS & CANOES -- Teams
need to bring bikes and kayaks (single or
double) or canoes. All Biking will be done off-road. Be sure to bring an
appropriate bike. Keep in mind that our race site is an oceanfront park
-- while it has a large lake,
the site is
located close to the Atlantic Ocean and is also near the River and the
Intracoastal Waterway. Paddle sections of The
BEAR course could include any available local waters. Kayaks or canoes are not provided by
the managers of this race. Your Team may choose to use either kayaks or canoes
or both (singles,
doubles or a combination). Remember that the weather, currents, and waves on
large bodies of water, such as the river, Intracoastal, and ocean, can be
especially challenging. The choice of the style or combination of kayaks or canoes is
up to you and your Team. We would prefer that you use "boats" that are familiar
to your Team for safety's sake. Don't forget that you will need a life jacket for each
member of your Team. See The BEAR Rules -- click here.
Kayak
Rentals:
If you are interested in renting a kayak in NE
Florida, click here.
The BEAR crew will provide:
Special Tests: All equipment and materials necessary for special tests. These
tests are designed to test physical strength, mental strength, and teamwork. The BEAR
staff and volunteers will be on hand to help guide Teams with the tests if needed. Tests
may include: rock wall climbing, carries, archery, orienteering, low crawl, Tyrolean
traverse, swimming, knot tying, negotiating cargo nets, and memory or mental quizzes.
Secure Transition/Storage Area: There is a fenced,. secured
transition area where you can keep your race equipment. Do not leave unnecessary valuable
belongings in this area.
Race Officials on Course: There will be race management
personnel at various locations and monitoring along the course to provide check points and to ensure safety in the race
activities. Follow their guidance and directions.
First Aid: If you need help,
look for a race management/crew member and they will radio your location to get
assistance. The primary EMS station will be near the Main Transition area.
Communications: To
link Check Points, various points on the course, and the Main Transition.
Race Management and Challenges: A
thoroughly tested race course, with a great variety of physically,
mentally, and emotionally challenging activities that will provide you with more than
enough to discuss around the coffee shop, water cooler at work, or among your
non-participating buddies. If you do not feel sufficiently challenged upon finishing, please let us know -- click here.
|
Now Available: Official BEAR Gearhead Hat -- Thanks to a special
arrangement with LAVA GEAR Adventure Clothing
|
| The BEAR Gearhead hat -- high-tech,
fast-drying from Lava Gear, embroidered with The BEAR logo -- available
for our racers to purchase for use in the The BEAR Adventure Race or as
souvenirs of the experience and accomplishment. The BEAR Gearhead Hat has
a reflective band for your nighttime adventures, adjustable back strap
with center-release buckle, mesh side panes for ventilation. It is made of
tan, super tough 4-ply taslan nylon and "bomb-proof" poly mesh. |
  |
| The BEAR Gearhead Hats will be
available at the Team Check-in and Team Meeting the day before the race
and at the Race Admin area and at the Awards party after Teams finish.
Cost for this great hat is only $25, while our supply lasts. We will be
happy to ship yours to you -- just add $4.50 for the first hat and $3.00
for each additional hat. You can order by mail just by sending your check
and the address for shipping your hats to: Performance Multisports, 365
Charlemagne Circle, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Reserve some for
yourself, your team, and your supporters by writing to us -- click
here and let us know. |
|
We are pleased to have HAMMER GEL as a product
sponsor for The BEAR. You will get some Hammer Gel and some
Enduralytes in your Race
Packet at the Mandatory Meeting, the day before the race. E-CAPS/HAMMER
NUTRITION -- Serious Products For
Serious Endurance Athletes. Since 1987, E-CAPS/HAMMER
NUTRITION has helped tens of thousands of serious endurance athletes
achieve tremendous performance with safe, natural, stimulant free, health
promoting products. E-CAPS/HAMMER NUTRITION supplements and fuels
are designed to optimize the training benefits of serious endurance
athletes. Each and every product is produced using only high-quality,
research-proven ingredients; we add no fillers, commercial-grade sugars,
sweeteners, or any other additive that does not bear directly on the end
result of increased performance. Clean, consistent, long-burning energy
-- HAMMER GEL is an easily digested, concentrated source of complex
carbohydrates with four amino acids added to enhance performance and
prolong energy levels during intense training and competition. Thereıs
only a trace of sugar, so HAMMER GEL doesnıt set off wild insulin
spikes causing "sugar high" and "sugar crash." You wonıt
find HAMMER GEL saturated with cheap, ineffective, commercial-grade
sugars, which can ruin health and performance. HAMMER GEL has a
syrup-like consistency that mixes easily with water if so desired. Visit E-CAPS/HAMMER
NUTRITION web site.
|
| AR Notices: You
are invited to be included
on our email Notification List, send us your request, specifying sport(s)
preferred, your name and email address.
|
| For
additional tips for each Team, see The BEAR Survival Guide |
| Go to The BEAR Info |
Go to The BEAR Rules |
|
