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YOUTH ODYSSEY ADVENTURE RACE FAQ

• Is this race for me?
• Do I have to have a Liability form?
• Is there a minimum age requirement?
• Do we need an USARA license?
• What level of fitness & skills are required?
• How do I train for this event?
• Do I have to qualify for the race?
• How do I select the right team?
• What happens on race day?
• What are special tests and mystery events?
• Where does the race START?
• How much distance will the race cover?
• What is the order of the disciplines?
• Will we have to do any of the disciplines more than once?
• Are spectators allowed?
• What do participants usually wear?
• What do we do if one of our team members cannot make the race?
• Must our team stay together?
• Does everyone race on the same course route?
• What if my teammate cannot finish the race?
• Is there a cut-off time?
• What if I get lost?
• Is there mandatory equipment we must use?
• Is there First Aid on the race course?
• What will the mountain biking be like?
• Are there water stations?
• Is there a place to keep my gear during the race?
• What about the weather?
• Does Youth Odyssey supply the kayaks for the paddling?
• Do we need to carry our lifejackets for the entire race?
• Do I have to worry about my mountain bike in transition areas?
• Where should we stay?

• Is this race for me?
If you enjoy being in the outdoors, and experiencing new limits, exercising, spending time with your friends in a challenging environment, a fun competitive atmosphere, and team-oriented tasks, then this event is definitely for you - in fact you will love it and be hooked to adventure racing! And don't forget your raising money to promote youth development in at-risk youth. All proceeds benefit the adventure challenge programming of Youth Odyssey!

• Do I have to have a Liability form?
Yes. The Liability forms can be accessed from the Youth Odyssey website. We recommend that you download it, print it, fill it out in advance, and bring it to the race. You may choose to fill it out at the Race Registration. We encourage early registration.

• Is there a minimum age requirement?
No. Anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult (over 19) on their team. They must also sign a waiver and have that same waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

• Do we need an USARA license?
Yes, the event is a United States Adventure Racing Association sanctioned event, and thus each member needs to have a license. If you do not have a 1-yr license already, you may purchase a single event license for $8 per racer (PER event). Year licenses are also available, and include a subscription to Adventure World Magazine, and you can purchase these at the event as well, for $35.

• What level of fitness & skills are required?
You will be required to: ride your own mountain bike carry, paddle, and steer a kayak safely with 2 people in it (in the same direction!); and be fit enough to endure a continuous 2-4 hours of exercise in the outdoors mountain biking, trail running, and paddling. We expect the front teams to finish in 2 hours or under.

• How do I train for this event?
An adventure race with multi-disciplinary sports requires that you are fit enough to in various conditions in the outdoors. This is an Adventure Race Designed for racers of all skill level. It will be for the beginner to the experienced racer.

• Do I have to qualify for the race?
No, athletes of all levels of fitness and experience are encouraged to participate.

• How do I select the right team?
You want to choose teammates with a similar level of fitness and the same race objectives, as well as the appropriate skills required. You want to select people you can trust in different situations - it is important to know their strengths and weaknesses, and how each person performs under stress and adverse conditions. It is also important to consider the overall group dynamics (and personality differences), as well as who is going to take the leadership role and when based on their stronger skills and competencies in different situations. Additionally, it is advised that you spend time training with your team so your expectations of each other in a race situation are met happily.

• What happens on race day?
Your team will arrive and head to the registration table. You each need to have a signed waiver form and pick up your race packet. The race packet will include your team number with pins to attach it to your clothing and course information. You should also receive a Goodie bag. You may then place your gear in the transition area. At the 7:00 pre-race meeting, you will receive a sheet of written instructions to locate the Transition Points. During the race you will change equipment at different transition areas. We expect the front teams to finish in 2 hours.

• What are special tests and mystery events?
The competitors have no knowledge of what our mystery event will be up until the race. This mystery event can be literally anything. The tests/events can be: team pushups, changing a "flat" tire, putting together a small puzzle, scaling a Crisco covered wall, scaling a wooden wall, balancing tests, archery, crossing a huge mud pit, carrying one team member up a hill on a log, a rope traverse, an obstacle course, and much more! One thing we know, it will be a fun event!

• Where does the race START?
The START location is not revealed until the race briefing the morning of the race.

• How much distance will the race cover?
The racers will not know the exact distance of each discipline until the maps are given out at the start. The race entails multi-activity components including trail running, kayaking, mountain biking, basic navigation, and mystery team challenges.

• What is the order of the disciplines?
The order of the elements is not revealed until the start. In fact, racers do not know what the 1st discipline will be until the start.

• Will we have to do any of the disciplines more than once?
It is possible that one or more of the disciplines may be repeated.

• Are spectators allowed?
Absolutely! Spectators will find that the best place to watch the race is near the transition area. Watch for the free kids race with surprises for all participants.

• What do participants usually wear?
You must wear the racing bib that is given to you at check in. Other than that, wear whatever is comfortable to run and bike in.

• What do we do if one of our team members cannot make the race?
You are allowed to change team members, divisions, etc. at any time up to Race start. We prefer that you let us know prior to the event, but you can make changes when you check in on Saturday.

• Must our team stay together?
This is not a relay event, and thus, all members must travel together through the entire race to remain an official team. Teams must stay within 10 yards of each other at all times and must enter and exit transition areas together. First infraction will result in a 30 min time penalty, and the second infraction will result in disqualification. You must cross the finish as a full team or else you will not be given an official ranking status.

• Does everyone race on the same course route?
Yes.

• What if my teammate cannot finish the race?
You will be asked to escort your teammate to the next Transition Point at which time they are allowed to drop out. You are allowed to continue, but will be not given an official ranking status.

• Is there a cut-off time?
Yes, for safety reasons and in order to get all racers back within 4 hours, there will be a cut-off time of 1:00 p.m. If you do not make the cut-off time, your team will be asked to go straight to the finish line and finish without being officially ranked.

• What if I get lost?
This is highly unlikely as there are mandatory transition points along the trail with first aid attendants, and radio operators who will be able to assist you if you become distressed. You will not need orienteering skills.

• Is there mandatory equipment we must use?
Yes. If your team chooses to provide their own sea kayak, it must be any hard shelled, 2-person kayak either sit-on top or enclosed. Canoes may be used but must be recreational plastic, or roylex. No aluminum, fiberglass, carbonfiber, or kevlar canoes allowed. Team must provide their own Mountain Bike and Certified Bicycling Helmet.

• Is there First Aid on the race course?
Yes, there will be a qualified first aid attendant and radio operators at key locations on the course.

• What will the mountain biking be like?
The mountain biking sections will be on rough road.

• Are there water stations?
No, you are required to carry at least one liter of water with you at all times. Adventure races are self-sufficient. Fluid and fuel replacement will not be provided anywhere on the course, but water will be available before and after the race.

• Is there a place to keep my gear during the race?
Yes, there will be a transition area for you to keep bikes, water, coolers, etc.

• What about the weather?
In most conditions the race will continue as long as conditions remain safe for the participants. Rain is part of the adventure. You are responsible for ensuring that you are prepared for all weather conditions. In case of severe weather the race will be rescheduled.

• Does Youth Odyssey supply the kayaks for the paddling?
No, however we well list local shops which rent kayaks.

• Do we need to carry our lifejackets for the entire race?
No. Your life jackets will only be used for the water sections of the course where there is a safety concern during the kayaking section.

• Do I have to worry about my mountain bike in transition areas?
The bike will be under supervision in the transition areas. There will be no shopping for bikes in the transition area!

• Where should we stay?
Since the event is on Padre Island, we suggest you may want to enjoy the Island while you are here. Please look for links to recommended places to stay on our website.

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