GEOQUEST IS BACK FOR 2019!

Mountain_Designs_GeoQuest_29.jpg

We’re excited to announce that GeoQuest will be back for 2019 and the original race format will be maintained, well almost. Following the transition of the event from GeoCentric to Wild & Co and the success of the 2018 Special Edition event we’re looking forward to a big 2019 event. And while we want to keep the race as close to the established format as possible, there are a few key areas we that we have updated for the 2019 event.

WHAT WILL STAY THE SAME

  • Half Course and Full Course Options

  • 120km, 240km approximate course distances

  • Kayak, Mountain Bike, Trail Run with mystery adventure activities (abseil, rock climbing, caving)

  • Teams of 4

  • Kayaks supplied for Half Course

  • Event Program (Friday Registration, Saturday Race Start, Monday Presentation)

  • Full Course teams racing a ‘supported’ race to supply own kayaks

  • Course based on the NSW north coast

WHAT WILL CHANGE

  • Geo-Half and Full Course teams now have the option of racing ‘un-supported’, with a small additional cost

  • A1 Full Course teams required to be ‘un-supported’

  • All A1 and ‘un-supported’ teams required to hire Spirit Double Kayaks in order to ensure ease of logistics

  • Bike Boxes will be required for all ‘un-supported’ teams

We believe that these changes, particularly to the possibility of competing in GeoQuest without bringing a support crew, will mean that more teams can compete, and that we will guarantee a level playing field for A1 teams in terms of support crews and quality of kayaks.

It’s important to note that these format changes do raise the possibility of a GeoQuest winner in 2019 that races the full course with a support crew and a fast kayak. We’re ok with this.

These changes haven’t been made lightly, we love the history and the rite of passage that the GeoQuest 48hr is for the Adventure Racing community in Australia, and we want to honour that. At the same time, we also want to make it as easy as possible for more teams to compete each year without the pressure of finding double kayaks for hire if they are flying in or finding a support crew. We hope that we have found a good balance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ONE OF THE ICONIC FEATURES OF MOUNTAIN DESIGNS GEOQUEST IS THE SUPPORT TEAM, IF WE RACE UN-SUPPORTED WILL WE LOSE THIS COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE?

While the race itself offers an un-supported option, many teams will continue to choose the supported option, we are also happy for un-supported teams and A1 teams to bring along a ‘cheer’ squad. These supporters can be part of the support team briefing and will be allowed at transition areas to offer moral support, as long as they don’t help with any transition activity or team logistics.

I’M RACING IN THE A1 SERIES, CAN I BRING MY OWN KAYAK?

No, all A1 teams must use the Spirit Double CTR kayaks available for teams to hire on the day.

I’M NOT RACING IN THE A1 SERIES, BUT WANT TO RACE UN-SUPPORTED, CAN I BRING MY OWN KAYAK?

No, all teams racing un-supported must use the Spirit Double CTR kayaks available for teams to hire.

HOW DO I HIRE THE SPIRIT DOUBLE CTR KAYAKS?

These will be available for hire on race day for $110 per kayak, more information about this will follow closer to the event. The GeoQuest team will book in these boats directly with the kayak supplier so you don’t need to do anything. 

I WANT TO RACE UN-SUPPORTED, DO I NEED A BIKE BOX?

Yes, all un-supported teams will be required to use bike boxes, this will make logistics easier and keep the bikes safer.

Will there be an ocean paddle?

It’s an adventure race, teams should come prepared for anything. It’s important to note, in the case of an ocean paddle, we will carefully assess conditions in light of the weather, swell size and types of water craft competitors are using – water safety will be our highest priority.

WHAT SORT OF WATER CRAFT ARE SUITABLE?

Competitors bringing their own kayaks should choose water craft that match their paddling experience. There are amazing paddle options in the Clarence Valley region including the ocean, lakes and rivers. Every effort will be made to ensure there are safe paddle options for competitors using kayaks with under body rudders. Racing is always a risky activity, if you are concerned about the safety of expensive kayaks, consider alternative options.

WHO WILL MOVE KAYAKS FOR THE UN-SUPPORTED FULL COURSE TEAMS?

All up-supported teams will be required to use the Spirit Double CTR Kayaks available for hire. GeoQuest will have a dedicated logistics team that will move these kayaks around the course as necessary.



YAMBA IN THE CLARENCE VALLEY REGION OF NSW TO HOST MOUNTAIN DESIGNS GEOQUEST 2019

Yamba-on-the-mighty-Clarence-River-Image-My-Clarence-Valley_4.jpg

YAMBA WILL BE THE START AND FINISH LOCATION FOR THE 2019 EDITION OF MOUNTAIN DESIGNS GEOQUEST.

Famous for prawns and surfing, Yamba is a popular destination for a beach holiday and recreational fishing. Surfers chase the perfect wave at the world-famous Angourie Point, one of Australia’s iconic National Suring Reserves. A wonderful multi-day hike in the Yuraygir National Park begins here, too.

Yamba is located 6.5 hours drive north of Sydney. The closest major centre is Grafton.

Over 500 competitors, support crew, family and friends from around the country will attend the Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race over the 7-10th June 2019.

There are limited team entries in 2019 so teams should take advantage of the traditional early bird two week opening special closing 28 Feb 2019, with final entries closing on 26 May 19.
Accommodation can be booked through the Visit NSW website at www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/clarence-valley/yamba.

Mountain Designs GeoQuest involves 48+hrs of non-stop endurance racing in the major disciplines of trekking, mountain biking and kayaking. Mixed, Male or Female teams of four must navigate their way through an arduous 200+km course that is only revealed to them the evening before the race. The Mountain Designs GeoQuest is held annually on the Queens Birthday long weekend in June. The race is moved each year to a different location with exciting new challenges for the teams.

The Geo-Half adventure race is run at the same time as the Mountain Designs GeoQuest. It covers only half the distance but teams have the full 48hrs to complete it. The legs will be challenging, but with the additional time available to complete the half course, teams have a greater chance to reach the finish line.

Clarence-Valley-Red-Logo_150_RGB.jpg

The event receives enormous support from its major sponsor Mountain Designs, and this year from the Clarence Valley Council.

The website has been updated with the latest information www.geoquest.com.au

More information contact Chris Dixon on 0497 4417 195 or hello@wldnco.com


GeoQuest is Back On for 2018!

Geo2017Top110-11.jpg

For Release – 1 Mar 2018

GeoQuest, Australia’s Premier Adventure Race, is back on from 8-11 June 2018, with Chris Dixon from Wild & Co organising the event in conjunction with Fully Rad Adventures ‘Wildside Special Edition’ event as part of the A1 Adventure Racing series.

Just two weeks ago Geocentric Outdoors, the event organisers, announced they were putting plans for the 2018 GeoQuest event on hold. This iconic event has been held on the June long weekend annually over the last 16 years, and has introduced thousands of athletes to adventure racing.

Chris Dixon said “I saw how disappointed the athletes around the country were that this incredible event was being postponed, and having been a competitor myself in this magnificent race, I know how important GeoQuest is to our AR community. So I reached out to Geocentric to see if there was anything I could do to keep the event going this year and beyond.”

Craig Bycroft said “There were many factors leading to our decision to postpone, including our increasing commitments to the AR World Series, and with the opportunity now for Chris to take over, we decided it was the right time to step away from running this race. We are super excited that Chris is going to continue the tradition of GeoQuest.”

The race is famous for it’s consistently high quality courses, which are well balanced for both experienced athletes and teams new to adventure racing. Louise Foulkes said “We had already developed a draft course outline for the 2018 event and will be passing this over to Chris to continue planning.”

Fully Rad Adventures have already planned a ‘Wildside Special Edition’ race for the weekend, so for 2018 GeoQuest will be run in conjunction with the Fully Rad Adventures event to bring together a truly historic race. Entries will open on the 4th March and include a special early bird period. The HQ location is approximately 4 hours drive North of Sydney and will also be announced on this date.

The GeoQuest event has been held annually since 2002 and hundreds of teams from around Australia and overseas have been part of this annual pilgrimage of adventure racing. Teams of four athletes race non-stop in the disciplines of mountain biking, trekking and kayaking for up to 52 hours. They choose to enter either the full course or the half course and their team composition can be Premier Mixed, All Female or All Male.

Wild & Co is also the event organiser of the Hells Bells 24hr Adventure Race in Queensland. “Like in a race itself, great team members are critical to successfully organising a race. To ensure GeoQuest maintains its top reputation we are putting together a capable and experienced team to organise the event into the future. David Schloss will continue to work with the team bringing a wealth of competitor and race director experience in the areas of course design, competition management and logistics. Running the 2018 event in conjunction with Richard Old and Fully Rad Adventures and as part of the A1 Adventure Racing Series will be an exciting opportunity to bring together the AR community and ensure that the GeoQuest legacy is maintained.”