Red Yeti Midnight Assault, Portland, Vic

What happens when a team of Adventure Racing novices team up with one of the most accomplished Adventure Racers in the world? Fresh from a broken arm sustained when he was jolted from an electric fence during an Adventure Race, our very own John Jacoby teamed up with a bunch of self-confessed beginners to tackle the Red Yeti race last weekend at Portland. What happened out there on the race course? Did John's fragile arm hold up? Did the novices rise to the challenge? Read all about it here

Free Entry to Australia's Richest Adventure Race

For the winners of the Pairs category in the Anaconda Adventure Race Gold Coast and Anaconda Adventure Race Geographe Bay, each pair will receive free entry to the toughest & richest Adventure Race in Australia, the Keen Adventure Race, Great Ocean Road.

This 5-day 400km test of mind & body will take place next March on the wild southern coast of Victoria, and two lucky pairs won't have to pay anything to be rewarded with a chance to share in the $60,000 cash prize pool. With entries limited to 100 Pairs, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the wild waters of Bass Strait and the rugged rainforest of the Great Otway National Park.

Services Adventure Challenge   

If you've ever wanted to see how the Army stacks up against the Navy, Air Force, Police, Fire, Ambulance and Emergency Services, you'll get your chance this year as members of each sector go head-to-head in the "Services Adventure Challenge Cup".

This competition will run in conjunction with each Anaconda Adventure Race, on the Gold Coast (Aug 26), Geographe Bay WA (Sept 24) and Lorne Victoria (Dec 10). The winning sector based on participation & performance will collect a $2,000 Anaconda voucher at each of the 3 events, together with an inaugural Services Adventure Challenge perpetual trophy.

2XU = U GO FASTER

Do you know why denier grading, filament rating, abrasion resistance, knit construction and anti-bacterial treatment are important characteristics in sports apparel design? Well duh, isn't it obvious?  Moisture management, comfort, anti-chaffing, breathable and odour-free. Seriously! 2XU's gear is quite simply made for Adventure Racing. If you haven't heard of 2XU (pronounced Two Times You, in line with their objective of providing athletic aids that multiply your performance), it's probably because they're only a new Australian company, but their product is world-class.

Joining the likes of the Australian Institute of Sport and Triathlon Australia who have chosen 2XU as the performance apparel of choice, Rapid Ascent is proud to announce that 2XU are the official apparel provider to the Anaconda Adventure Race Series. We'll be reviewing some of their amazing range of wetsuits, swim wear, under-garments, cycling and adventure-race gear shortly. In the meantime visit their website at www.2xu.com.au

Leave No Trace partnership Many people have probably heard the phrase "Leave No Trace", which refers to the camping/outdoors etiquette of taking your litter with you and creating minimal impact on the environment. Did you know that there is also an organisation called Leave No Trace? Leave No Trace (LNT) Australia is a national not-for-profit group dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. There are 7 key principles espoused by LNT that every one of us should be practising every time we go outdoors. Can you guess what the 7 principles are? One of them is about disposing of waste properly, but there are 6 other equally important principles, click here to see all 7 principles http://www.lnt.org.au/section01/01_04.html. Rapid Ascent is proud to announce that Leave No Trace is an official partner of the Anaconda Adventure Race Series, and we will be working with LNT to further promote the 7 principles to the general public.

Kayak Transport If you'd like to travel from Victoria to the Anaconda Adventure Race on the Gold Coast or Geographe Bay (WA), we can provide a transport service for your kayak. For just $100 we'll cart your boat up to Queensland on a kayak trailer, or for $200 we'll lug it across the Nullabor - we'll just close our eyes when we shell out close to $2 per litre for fuel! There are only limited places so book now by e-mailing John at john@rapidascent.com.au

Keen Adventure Run course familiarisation session WA

Destination Dunsborough: Where the vibrant coastal town is devoid of tourists and blissfully quiet, a virtual ghost town in winter where you'll join WA's adventure racing aficionados in tackling what's already been touted the most awesome cross country run in the Anaconda Series.

Treat your feet and unlock the secrets of the Keen Run stage then join your ocean paddling campadres at Bunker Bay for the invigorating Enervit Ocean Paddle leg along the tide-sculptured coastline back to Dunsborough ... for more information, please click here.