Frontier Adventure Sports & Training
Encyclopedia
Frontier Adventure Sports and Training (FAST) is the most establishedneeds citation Adventure Race
organizer in Canada
, in operation since 1997. Frontier Adventure Sports has established an international reputation for solid logistics and challenging racecourses. FAST hosts events under several banners: the Frontier Adventure Challenge, Raid the North and Raid the North Extreme. These non-stop races range in length from 8 hours to six days and require coed teams of three or four to hike
, mountain bike
, paddle
and negotiate fixed ropes, while navigating an unmarked racecourse through the wilderness
.
can be defined as a non-stop, multi-day, multi-discipline, team event. In many ways it can be likened to an expedition
with a stopwatch. The goal of the competition is to be the first team to get all members across the finish line together. Adventure Racing
requires teamwork
, perseverance
, and strong navigation and wilderness survival skills. The most common disciplines involved in an adventure race are mountain biking
, hiking
, paddling and rappelling. There are many different lengths and formats of events, ranging from off-road triathlons, to month long expeditions. The course should take competitors through remote wilderness where they must travel without outside assistance. Each team must use strategy to determine the best route, equipment, food and pace to maintain to win.
, during which teams will cover between 130 and 150 kilometers. A Raid the North Team is a co-ed group of four people with a variety of sport
, outdoor and wilderness
backgrounds. Unlike RTNX, Raid the North events are geared towards the prepared first time adventure racer.
Raid the North Extreme was one of the original founding members of the Adventure Racing World Series
and a qualifier race for the AR World Championship. Raid the North Extreme was selected as the Adventure Racing World Championships in 2004. RTNX was included in the 2011 World Series.
Raid the North Extreme is designed for experienced adventure racers, or those with significant wilderness experience, as there are significantly long sections of remote wilderness where rescue is difficult. Mixed gender teams of four have up to 6 days (non-stop) to cover 450 kilometres by trekking, mountain biking
, paddling, and mountaineering
. Competitors must navigate their own route through checkpoints throughout the racecourse. It is the only expedition-style event longer than 48 hrs in Canada.
Raid the North Extreme competitors come from across Canada
and the United States
and tend to have a broad multi-sport experience and/or extensive outdoor skills. International race competitors have come from Mexico
, Argentina
, Spain
, France
, Finland
, New Zealand
and Singapore
.
Raid the North Extreme has previously been hosted by Elliot Lake, Ontario
in 1999, Revelstoke, BC
in 2000, Newfoundland & Labrador in 2001, Whitehorse
, Yukon Territory in 2002, Atikokan, Ontario
in 2003, Newfoundland & Labrador in 2004 and Prince Rupert
and Haida Gwaii, British Columbia in 2007. The eighth edition of the race is scheduled for July 23–31, 2011 in BC's West Kootenays. Each race highlights the unique history
, untouched wilderness and culture
of the host region, including First Nations
hunting and trading routes as well as other historic sites.
2007: Prince Rupert/Haida Gwaii, BC
2004: Corner Brook, NL (AR World Championships)
2003: Atikokan, ON
2002: Whitehorse
, Yukon
2001: Corner Brook, NL
2000: Revelstoke
, BC
1999: Elliot Lake, ON
, the Global Television Network
, and PBS. RTNX also has a significant economic impact on the host region, creating an estimated local boost of $2.3 million.
training curriculum focusing on the skills and knowledge required to compete in adventure racing
.
In partnership with Esprit Rafting
, Frontier Adventure Sports offers the Jalcomulco AR Training Week as well as the Pico2Playa Expedition Training Week in Veracruz, Mexico
.
The Pico2Playa Expedition Week consists of a staged expedition from Pico de Orizaba
to the Gulf of Mexico
.
competitor Dave Zietsma wanted to bring expedition racing to Canada
, and introduced the 36 hour Raid the North race event. Originally known as Frontier Adventure Racing, the company grew to include the 6 day expedition race, Raid the North Extreme, and an 8 hour series, the Salomon Adventure Challenge. In 2002, Frontier was purchased by Geoff Langford, who introduced 14 hour Adventure Challenge events, restructured the company as Frontier Adventure Sports & Training, and created the Camp Frontier brand offering week-long training camps in Mexico
.
Since its inception, Frontier has hosted nearly 100 race events in Canada
. Frontier is most recognized for its 2007 Raid the North Extreme event held in Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert, British Columbia
, broadcast nationally on the Global Television Network
in Canada and on PBS in the US.
Adventure racing
Adventure racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines, including orienteering and/or navigation , cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills...
organizer in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in operation since 1997. Frontier Adventure Sports has established an international reputation for solid logistics and challenging racecourses. FAST hosts events under several banners: the Frontier Adventure Challenge, Raid the North and Raid the North Extreme. These non-stop races range in length from 8 hours to six days and require coed teams of three or four to hike
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
, paddle
Paddle
A paddle is a tool used for pushing against liquids, either as a form of propulsion in a boat or as an implement for mixing.-Materials and designs:...
and negotiate fixed ropes, while navigating an unmarked racecourse through the wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
.
Adventure Racing
Adventure RacingAdventure racing
Adventure racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines, including orienteering and/or navigation , cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills...
can be defined as a non-stop, multi-day, multi-discipline, team event. In many ways it can be likened to an expedition
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
with a stopwatch. The goal of the competition is to be the first team to get all members across the finish line together. Adventure Racing
Adventure racing
Adventure racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines, including orienteering and/or navigation , cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills...
requires teamwork
Teamwork
Teamwork is action performed by a team towards a common goal. A team consists of more than one person, each of whom typically has different responsibilities....
, perseverance
Perseverance
Perseverance may refer to:* Perseverance , a card game* Perseverance , American fighter Brock Lesnar* Perseverance...
, and strong navigation and wilderness survival skills. The most common disciplines involved in an adventure race are mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, paddling and rappelling. There are many different lengths and formats of events, ranging from off-road triathlons, to month long expeditions. The course should take competitors through remote wilderness where they must travel without outside assistance. Each team must use strategy to determine the best route, equipment, food and pace to maintain to win.
Raid the North
Since 1997, Raid the North events have been designed to highlight the natural elements of the host region environment. The Raid the North Race Series consists of a national series of 36-hour races in various locations across CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, during which teams will cover between 130 and 150 kilometers. A Raid the North Team is a co-ed group of four people with a variety of sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
, outdoor and wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
backgrounds. Unlike RTNX, Raid the North events are geared towards the prepared first time adventure racer.
Raid the North Extreme
Raid the North Extreme (RTNX) is a 6-day expedition-style adventure race. It was held once per year from 1999 to 2004, and since then has been held every three years. Strong navigation skills and wilderness experience are required as the course covers roughly 500 kilometers of unmarked terrain. Each year the race travels to a different region in Canada that provides rugged wilderness challenges for competitors.Raid the North Extreme was one of the original founding members of the Adventure Racing World Series
Adventure Racing World Series
The Adventure Racing World Series comprises a number of expedition-length adventure races that push the world’s best endurance athletes to their limits in a season of competition that tests their skills in a range of disciplines including navigation, trekking, adventure running, mountain biking,...
and a qualifier race for the AR World Championship. Raid the North Extreme was selected as the Adventure Racing World Championships in 2004. RTNX was included in the 2011 World Series.
Raid the North Extreme is designed for experienced adventure racers, or those with significant wilderness experience, as there are significantly long sections of remote wilderness where rescue is difficult. Mixed gender teams of four have up to 6 days (non-stop) to cover 450 kilometres by trekking, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, paddling, and mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
. Competitors must navigate their own route through checkpoints throughout the racecourse. It is the only expedition-style event longer than 48 hrs in Canada.
Raid the North Extreme competitors come from across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and tend to have a broad multi-sport experience and/or extensive outdoor skills. International race competitors have come from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Raid the North Extreme has previously been hosted by Elliot Lake, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in 1999, Revelstoke, BC
Revelstoke, British Columbia
Revelstoke is a city in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is located east of Vancouver, and west of Calgary, Alberta. The city is situated on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River...
in 2000, Newfoundland & Labrador in 2001, Whitehorse
Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is Yukon's capital and largest city . It was incorporated in 1950 and is located at kilometre 1476 on the Alaska Highway in southern Yukon. Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas occupy both shores of the Yukon River, which originates in British Columbia and meets the Bering Sea in...
, Yukon Territory in 2002, Atikokan, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in 2003, Newfoundland & Labrador in 2004 and Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is a port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is the land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's North Coast, and home to some 12,815 people .-History:...
and Haida Gwaii, British Columbia in 2007. The eighth edition of the race is scheduled for July 23–31, 2011 in BC's West Kootenays. Each race highlights the unique history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, untouched wilderness and culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
of the host region, including First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
hunting and trading routes as well as other historic sites.
RTNX Locations & Top 5 Finishers
- Sole
- DART-nuun
- yukonWILD
- SSS (Spirit, SleepMonsters.ca, Shine-Energy)
- Playground Bullies
2004: Corner Brook, NL (AR World Championships)
- Nike ACG / Balance Bar
- Cross Sportswear
- Merrel Zanfel Adventures
- Nokia
- Mazda
2003: Atikokan, ON
- EADS
- Spirit
- Fudugazi
- Wild Rose
- Phoenix
2002: Whitehorse
Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is Yukon's capital and largest city . It was incorporated in 1950 and is located at kilometre 1476 on the Alaska Highway in southern Yukon. Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas occupy both shores of the Yukon River, which originates in British Columbia and meets the Bering Sea in...
, Yukon
- Montrail
- EasternOutdoors.com
- GoLite
- Spirit
- TnT
2001: Corner Brook, NL
- Salomon/Eco-Internet
- Nokia Adventure
- Redbull-Playstation
- Eastern Outdoors.com-GLAR
- Spirit
2000: Revelstoke
Revelstoke
Revelstoke refers to:*Revelstoke, British Columbia, a city in British Columbia, Canada*Revelstoke Airport, the airport serving the city of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada...
, BC
- Spirit
- PHON_NET.COM
- Old Spice Red Zone
- Shic Shoc Merrel
- Olympia
1999: Elliot Lake, ON
- Salomon/Eco-Internet
- Olympia
- Timbuk 2
- Nomad
- Lycos
Economic Impact
Raid the North Extreme creates broad tourism promotion for each region it visits, via media coverage and word of mouth. Documentaries on the race have been aired on the Outdoor Life Network, TSNThe Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
, the Global Television Network
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
, and PBS. RTNX also has a significant economic impact on the host region, creating an estimated local boost of $2.3 million.
Camp Frontier
Frontier Adventure Sports hosts an extensive adventure racingAdventure racing
Adventure racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines, including orienteering and/or navigation , cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills...
training curriculum focusing on the skills and knowledge required to compete in adventure racing
Adventure racing
Adventure racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines, including orienteering and/or navigation , cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills...
.
In partnership with Esprit Rafting
Esprit Lodge
Esprit Lodge is an historic lodge and hostel accommodation near Fort Coulonge, a village in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality in Quebec, Canada....
, Frontier Adventure Sports offers the Jalcomulco AR Training Week as well as the Pico2Playa Expedition Training Week in Veracruz, Mexico
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
.
The Pico2Playa Expedition Week consists of a staged expedition from Pico de Orizaba
Pico de Orizaba
The Pico de Orizaba, or Citlaltépetl , is a stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. It rises above sea level in the eastern end of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, on the border between the states of Veracruz and Puebla...
to the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
.
History
In 1997, Eco-ChallengeEco-Challenge
Eco-Challenge: The Expedition Race is a multi-day expedition length adventure race in which teams of four compete. It aired from April 1995 to April 2002....
competitor Dave Zietsma wanted to bring expedition racing to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and introduced the 36 hour Raid the North race event. Originally known as Frontier Adventure Racing, the company grew to include the 6 day expedition race, Raid the North Extreme, and an 8 hour series, the Salomon Adventure Challenge. In 2002, Frontier was purchased by Geoff Langford, who introduced 14 hour Adventure Challenge events, restructured the company as Frontier Adventure Sports & Training, and created the Camp Frontier brand offering week-long training camps in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Since its inception, Frontier has hosted nearly 100 race events in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Frontier is most recognized for its 2007 Raid the North Extreme event held in Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, broadcast nationally on the Global Television Network
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
in Canada and on PBS in the US.