Course familiarisation for Gold Coast and WA

After much secrecy surrounding the exact run and bike course for the Anaconda Adventure Race on the Gold Coast, all will be revealed on August 6!! Everyone is invited to this free course familiarisation day, whether you’re competing or not. This is a great chance to rub shoulders with Guy Andrews, Jody Zerbst and John Jacoby who’ll lead fast, medium and slow groups over each of the legs. {For further information click here.}

For those of you in WA who are wondering what you missed out on when Mr T led the recent course familiarisation weekend at Dunsborough, check out this very funny account of the weekend by Wade Kelly. There’s another weekend coming on July 29/30, all are welcome (including non-competitors), e-mail Tom now to reserve a place ... {Click here for the full story}

Healthway & The National Heart Foundation partner Rapid Ascent

As part of this 3-way partnership, we are proud to announce the offer of scholarships to Junior teams (ie all team members under 18) who participate in the Geographe Bay race, together with a travel subsidy to enable juniors from remote areas the opportunity to participate in the event. In addition, the school with the highest level of participation will win a $2,000 Anaconda voucher to spend on much-needed outdoors equipment for the school. For further information on the Sponsorship program for Junior teams in WA, click here .

Team “Husband & Wife”

Team “Husband and Wife” is Chris Delaney (high school PE teacher) and Michelle Delaney (occupational therapist) from Port Macquarie. Chris & Michelle will be competing as a pair at the Anaconda Adventure Race, Gold Coast.

Chris is a virtual dolphin, growing up with water sports and surf life saving on the mid-north coast of NSW. Michelle on the other hand is more of a lion, having lived most of her life in Pretoria (South Africa), a long way from the coast. The lion has had a very rapid initiation to the life of a dolphin, learning how to swim and paddle, and competing in mixed double ski events at local surf carnivals. Having dabbled in long-course triathlons, they have gravitated towards the thrill of Adventure Racing, placing 2nd in the Geoquest Half last month.

Asked what their typical week of training involves, Chris says “A typical week of training would be 4-5km's in the pool, 150+ k's on the road bike depending what is coming up, 20-30k's running (it should be more, but we don't like running), a couple of ski/kayak sessions and at least one mountain bike ride. Oh and we’ll also try to fit in a surf as well!”

Asked about their race objectives for the Anaconda Gold Coast, Michelle says “Well I’ve noticed that we’re the only husband and wife team entered so far, so we might win that category! Seriously though, finishing would be good, finishing without any arguments even better!”

Good luck guys, may the power of marriage be with you!

Nanga Challenge

The Nanga Challenge is one of WA’s classic races and it’s back on this year. The location is Dwellingup, 100km south of Perth, the date is September 10, a perfect warm up for the Anaconda race which is 2 weeks later. The Nanga Challenge comprises an 11.0km paddle, 22km MTB and a 9.6km run. You can enter as an individual Open or Vet Ironman/Ironwoman or in a team. Keep your eyes on Ascot Kayak Club website at http://www.ascot.canoe.org.au for further details or e-mail Grant for further information.

Highgear / Magellan Adventure Story Competition

You have until July 31 to post your Adventure Story and be in the running for a brand new Highgear Solo heart rate monitor.

If you have a story about an adventure you’ve been on recently, whether it’s short or long, funny or serious, hard-core or soft, we want you to share it. Simply click here to post your story or email it to us, you must also include at least one photo to be in the running for the monthly prize. Check out Paul Ashton's story about the trans-Alpine run here.

Burnet Institute Fund-raiser

Our charity partner the Burnet Institute is waging war against infectious diseases in Australia and overseas, and we have set a goal this year of helping Burnet to raise $50,000.

You can pledge $x on behalf of yourself or any other competitor to support your participation in the Anaconda Adventure Race, with all funds going to Burnet. A running tally of leading fund raisers and total donations raised is available on the website. The entrant (whether individual, pair or team) who is able to accumulate the highest total pledge by December 16 this year will win free entry & accommodation to all four Anaconda Adventure Race events in 2007 (including the new race in NSW). Donate now !

Dietary Advice

If you’d like to do something about your pre-event diet, here’s the chance. Help Yourself is offering a 20% discount on the usual price of $125 for an on-line dietary assessment. Help Yourself is an Australian business run by Kerith Duncanson, a former runner and triathlete who has represented Australia in both disciplines.

All you need to do is spend about 20 minutes completing a 20 question survey about your current diet, and Kerith will put together a customised dietary plan to help you to achieve your goals. You might be surprised with just how many small tweaks you can make to your diet to improve your health, fitness and ultimately your performance! Click here to complete the survey.

Make a Splash with Spirit !

Battle the boardroom status quo and ticking clock by signing up for Anaconda’s armada on a cush ride that’ll take you from zero to hero.

Rediscover your mojo on one of two contenders, the Spirit CTR and Racing Ski that’ll keep you sunny-side-up and transform aspiring paddlers wet behind the ears into rapid paddling pros.

Sure plastic boats weigh more than fiberglass – the Racing Ski bends the scales at 19.5kg – but it’s also less fragile, which is especially helpful if you tend towards Normandy-style beach landings.

Check out the great deals on summer’s splash hits and contact Sam at - sales@spiritpaddle.com.au ... {Click here for the full story}

World’s biggest Kayak Test

A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes organising a test of kayaks that is the biggest ever undertaken. A total of 45 kayaks across 6 categories will be tested on the Barwon River at Geelong Canoe Club on July 29/30.

Sea kayaks, surf skis, sit-on-tops, K1’s, multisport boats and doubles are all going under the microscope. The study is being endorsed by Australian Canoeing, with expert measuring equipment and skills being provided by the Australian Institute of Sport and the University of Canberra.

Apart from all of the scientific data that will be generated from the test, the key objective is to help paddlers (particularly beginners) to better understand their choices when looking to invest in a kayak. Everyone is welcome to observe the tests, just keep your dirty hands off the shiny new kayaks and the fancy-pants AIS testing equipment!

Upper Murray Challenge

The Snowy Hydro Upper Murray Challenge is a race that is attracting plenty of inter-state competitors these days, not surprising considering the location and the great job done by race organisers.

Now in its third year, a record field is expected to take on the course that includes a (new improved!) 38km mountain bike leg, 26km paddle and 20km run, starting in Khancoban and finishing in Corryong. Click here for further details.