SVI Women's Adventure Racing
Add to Del.icio.usWhen a triathlon just isn't enough
by Heidi VandegriftTriathlons, 10Ks, and marathons—been there done that! Women came from all over the U.S. to be challenged and escape their comfort zones at Schneider & Vandegrift, Inc.’s camp in Lake Tahoe, California this past July. Why? They all wanted to learn about one of the fastest growing team sports—adventure racing. World-class expedition-length racers led the camp: Terri Schneider and Louise Cooper. Both began adventure racing nearly 10 years ago and are internationally recognized as top multi-sport female athletes.
Adventure racing is known for its mental and physical challenges and is attracting an increasing number of teams worldwide. Navigating from one checkpoint to the next, with only a compass and map, teams use a variety of non-motorized transportation such as mountain bikes, climbing ropes, kayaks, and their own feet. Team members soon learn that communication and cooperation are the keys to success.
The women who attended this year’s camp were newbies to the sport. All were physically fit at various levels but had never experienced an adventure race. They came to learn, be challenged, build confidence, celebrate birthdays, and take a break from their kids—all in a supportive, non-threatening environment. Ah, the beauty of a women-only camp.
The weekend was packed with classroom and hands-on instruction covering ropes, paddling, mountain biking, trekking, navigation, nutrition, team dynamics, and gear. SVI’s camp had an incredible demo gear program with the support of their sponsors. Campers tested packs, clothing, trekking poles, sunglasses, headlamps, shoes, and more in the field. “There are many nuances to gear including features, weight, appropriate fit, and specific uses, all of which are important considerations when deciding what is right for you. Our goal was to enable the campers to be able to shop with confidence,” says Terri Schneider.
The weekend concluded with a 6-8 hour practice race in which teams applied what they had learned over the weekend—including the reality of team dynamics. “It was a good idea to mix skill levels of people to understand how this affects your success as a team. You start off with one opinion, and by the end of the race you look at those people in a completely different way,” said one perceptive camper.
The camp was a life changing experience for several. “This camp has given me a lot more confidence and taught me NOT to underestimate myself. Terri and Louise are such an inspiration. I had the time of my life!“
