Sports
Logo courtesy of http://www.uwsp.edu/
stuorg/adventureracing/index.htm
Adventure Racing Club offers outdoor challenges
The Pointer
Hshee298@uwsp.edu
Adventure racing, an internationally known sport, has spanned the globe all the way to Stevens Point, where it is charging onto the athletic scene.
The Adventure Racing Club has been a sanctioned athletic club at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point since the 2005-2006 school year, and is described as “various physically demanding outdoor activities such as backpacking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing and rappelling,” according to the club mission statement.
Adventure Racing Club president Heidi Hargarten further defined Adventure Racing as a “multisport event for all ages that takes place all year long.” Hargarten pointed out that although races are usually attended most heavily by college students, all participants are welcome.
Races themselves are viewed by participants, most who have had past track or cross country experience. The races vary in difficulty and endurance and Hargarten said that beginners usually start with a four to six hour race while more experienced Adventure Racers engage in races that can last for days.
With the kind of fitness it takes to compete in races like that, athletes train constantly each week. Hargarten said that twice each week they do what the team refers to as “the workout.” “The workout” is a core-based exercise that focuses on strengthening muscles. A demonstration video of these exercises can be found on the UWSP Adventure Racing blog, http://uwspadventureracing.blogspot.com/.
Other activities that club members participate in are group runs, bicycle rides, canoeing trips, orienteering practice and rock climbing. On their runs and bike rides, which the club calls “run with the pack,” athletes practice running with their competition packs which can contain as much as a first aid kit, bike repair kit, tire pump, spare tire tube, emergency whistle, emergency blanket, rain gear, spare clothes, compass, map case and 70 ounces of water.
But Adventure Racing is not just for those in peak physical shape. Hargarten said they have all levels, not only at practices, but also races. Adventure racing is about people seeking the adventure.
“That’s the best part, the adventure as a whole,” said Hargarten. “Running in the woods, crashing through trees, being in a canoe, it’s the cumulative experience.”
“We get to experience pieces of cities and nature that not a lot of other people have the chance to,” Hargarten said.
While Hargarten highlighted the connection with nature that comes from participating, the club’s mission statement expands to say that it is “an organization focused on leadership, teamwork, physical and mental growth, we also work to foster new friendships and a passion for the great outdoors.”
The UWSP Adventure Racing Club hosts the annual Beaver Blast in Stevens Point on Nov 7. It is open to everybody and free for students. To register for the race visit their Web site at http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/adventureracing/. For more general club membership information, e-mail a club officer at http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/adventureracing/contacts.htm.
