eNewsletter 227 - Saturday 3rd October, 2026G'day fellow rogainers, STOP PRESSEntries have opened for the 2027 World Rogaining Championships in the Flinders Ranges on 16-17 September 2027. 58 teams from around the world entered on the first day, so this is likely to be a popular international event. All rogainers are welcome, not just champions. See the WRC website.
In this newsletter
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Anatomy of a successful Ferrygaine
This rogaine was one of a kind and arguably the most complex navigation event ever attempted by NSWRA. It was a roaring success in the face of incredible last-minute challenges thanks to the 18 months of hard work and persistence by the lead Organiser Ted Woodley. 750 rogainers had a fun time being ferried around Sydney Harbour and punching controls for 3½ hours (270 rogainers/175 teams) or 6½ hours (480 rogainers/175 teams) on a perfect Spring Day.
Jake Evans won the 3½ hour rogaine, scoring a remarkable 3,090 points, just 760 less than the 6½ hour winners, Sergey Pikuz and Ryan Armstrong, who scored 3,850 points. The control at Hunters Hill Croquet Club was visited by 149 teams (366 rogainers). Two teams ran the hoop in a single stroke (200 points) - Abigail Marwick of ‘Zneks on a boat’ (teammate Chris Marwick), and Will Roden of ‘Pier Pressure’ (teammates Jan Roden, Chris Elphick, Shell Elphick and Lee-anne Borrow). Will’s single shot scored 400, as it was during the hour of double points! 14 teams ran the hoop in two strokes, 78 in three to four strokes, and 55 in five or more strokes.
The ‘Ferry Witty Team Name Competition’ had some inspired entries. The winners were ‘Harbouring Doubt’ (Steve Ryan, 3½ hour) and ‘Masters of the Ferryverse’ (MUV team of Graham Field and Mike Hotchkis, 6½ hour). Everyone enjoyed the novelty and relaxation of travelling on the two ferries, the Royale and the Constellation, which was hired at the last minute (Friday) due to the cancellation of one of the two public ferry services to Cockatoo Island because of industrial issues.
The Ferrygaine wouldn’t have happened without the help of over fifty volunteers. Foremost were the two Co-Organisers, John Anderson and Julian Ledger; Hamish Mackie preparing the map; administration by experienced hands Vivien de Remy de Courcelles and Anita Bickle; and Stu Warren, emerging from retirement to lead the 1st North Sydney Scouts to feed us for Saturday’s dinner, Sunday’s breakfast, and the after event eats and drinks.
Also, we should thank the ferry captains, Ty Bakehouse (Royale) and Andrew Duffey (Constellation), and Boatize, for making the Constellation available with a day’s notice, without which there wouldn’t have been a Ferrygaine. And finally, the Sydney Harbour Trust for providing Cockatoo Island and the Turbine Hall (best Hash House ever), particularly Skye Paton and Sharon Bell. It was a fabulous weekend on Sydney Harbour, including Saturday’s navigation coaching session (involving 60 Navy Cadets), Big Foot's orienteering events, overnight glamping/ camping on Cockatoo Island by 250 rogainers, food from the Scouts, and Sunday’s two rogaines. For a lot more photos by Bruce Sutton's large bank of event photographers Bill Dowsley, Nicole Sutton, Rosemary Sutton, Laura Watts, and Michael Watts, visit the event page. |
Join the Spring Challenge, 6 & 12 hours in Gurnang State Forest, 17th October 2026
For your calendar: add the event date & add entries closing reminder Entries close Monday 12th The 2026 NSW-ACT Spring Challenge will be set in the Central Tablelands on Saturday 17th October. Centred in the Gurnang State Forest and extending into the western edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, it is just west of the site of the 2025 NSW Championships near Mt Werong. The course is well positioned for the Challenge, being about 3.5 hours drive W of Sydney and 2.75 hours from Canberra.
Course details This event offers competitors access to truly superb rogaining country. Participants will navigate through a beautiful mix of native eucalypt forests and mature pine plantations, both featuring a remarkably open understory. The terrain varies from flat with subtle features to steeper hills with well-defined spurs and gullies. The course has been set with navigational challenges tailored for both novice and experienced teams alike. Whether you plan to walk or run, the open terrain makes moving through this unique landscape an absolute pleasure. The area is home to some amazing wildlife, and if you are lucky, you might spot wombats in full daylight, or greater gliders after dark. Key info at a glance: There is a limit of 300 entries
Course times:
Timings of map availability, novice briefing, final briefing and prize givings will be confirmed closer to the event date. Final Instructions will be available on the website from Monday 12th October. Team finder service If you are looking for a team to join, or would like to start a new team for this event, go to our new Team Finder page. Key info for novices Info for novices with advice on what gear to bring for a bush event and other information can be found on the website. For more info, visit the Event Website. |
50 years of rogaining celebrated at Tallarook
Photo of the start by Paul Monks with one of the original 70's-vintage green tents Congratulations to the well-known NSW team of Ivan Koudashev, Tristan White and Xanda Kolesnikow who took out the Victorian State Championships with a mind bending 3680 points, reaching all but two checkpoints, covering 100 kms, and climbing 4520 metres. They pulled off a very convincing win and are now in the record books. They were 310 points ahead of Julie Quinn and David Baldwin of the ACT in 2nd and Tim Cochrane and Leanne Haupt who were 3rd. Congratulations also Brett Davis and Anthony Slatyer (ACT) who won the Men’s Ultra Veterans, backing up on their 2nd place at the recent Australian Rogaining Championships in Queensland. At almost 500 participants this was extremely well attended for a bush event and we owe a huge thanks to legendary Victorian rogainers Paul Monks and Alaster Meehan for setting a course large and tough enough for a championship, as well as Neil Phillips for liaising with local landowners. Grant Jeffrey also deserves a special mention for an extraordinarily time intensive effort in coordinating and transporting just about everything hardware-wise that made the event viable, and to the many volunteers who supported these leaders and worked so hard to make the event such a success. Also, thanks to all those landowners for giving us access to spectacular parts of the plateau we would not otherwise have seen. For the full results go to the website.
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