Once again we are unleashing our Adventurethon Demolish format in the Clarence Valley region in NSW. After the successful launch of the Demolish Stage race format into Clarence Valley last year we have made a few small changes to allow even smoother logistics and better more enjoyable flow of events for the weekend participants.
1-2ND DECEMBER, 2018
Clarence Valley, NSW
ARE YOU READY FOR A CHALLENGE?
ADVENTURETHONDEMOLISH
For some time we have wanted to put on an event with every leg being a stunner in its’ own right, with no need to compromise on quality. We often found that there were people who would love to do 1 discipline but not all of them and that finding teammates was kind of a hard process if they weren’t already part of the multisport circles. Hence the evolution of the Adventurethon Demolish Format onto the scene. Demolish is essentially an Adventurethon event which has been pulled apart to create 3 stand alone individual races, with times that can be tallied together in a stage race format at the end to find an overall champion. However, it can also can be raced as a team, in pairs, or simply just attempt your favourite leg.
The Clarence Valley event will feature an amazing tour of the area taking in some challenging but fun mountain biking, adventure running and paddling over 2 days. Bring your family and mates and settle in for some great camping and entertainment with seriously easy logistics and a warm, country atmosphere at the heart of the weekend.
Having travelled a lot of the country I must say I was completely blown away with the Clarence Valley and the hardest bit has been trying to figure out what not to include… the area really has some amazing scenery and I actually felt like I was out of the country with no beach in sight and great water flow through the rivers, amazing Gorges on the run, and a stunning mountain biking area. It was hard to think I was only 3 and a bit hours south of Brissy at times.
– Joel Savage.
We can’t wait to be sitting around the fire at the Gorge Campsite with you all – Chatting about the amazing adventure run course you made it through earlier or how you tried your first go at rapids and flowing water and are now hooked.
Adventurethon Demolish will be a weekend of spectacular courses and amazing atmosphere. We can’t wait to share it with you.
Clarence RiverRush
The usual Adventurethon ocean paddle is replaced in our Clarence Valley event by a stunning river paddle. This paddle will be very exciting for first timers in rapids and also safe enough for beginners to just “have a crack” & learn as they go. Advanced (older) paddlers have opportunities to get ahead at rapids and try to fight off fitter younger paddlers as they fight back on the flats
You can forget about all the stresses/routines of life and completely lose yourself in the adventure of this paddle. It is quite an isolated / remote / Wilderness paddle – so you won’t see any roads till the finish line.
This is the perfect opportunity for an ocean paddler to try their first rapids race.
There are deep pools followed by adrenaline producing shallow gravel races at each of the grade 1 and 2 rapids. This paddle is great even when river levels are low as its mainly the speed of the gravel races that change. In low river levels we sat in a couple of the rapids with no paddling and recorded 12 kph based on the speed of the rapids alone.
A gravel race is one of the least technical features where the river narrows and water shoots down faster without major large rocks or features to avoid. These Gravel races are fun to run because you simply aim the nose down into the moving water (aiming for the bumpiest [read fastest] water surface) and all will be fine. A couple of the rapids have easier slower and less obstructed lines as well as faster but riskier lines which will be marked for your ease come event weekend.
Hot tip! switch out that Ocean rudder for something much smaller and preferably a trailing rudder. The Gravel races get around 3 to 4 inches deep in sections so its just smart to avoid the risk and fit a kick up rudder or similar. OR by an Old tk1, or racing k1 you can bash around a bit perhaps fit a light spray skirt to avoid splashes of water getting in. Other options could include a plastic ski like a spirit racing ski, PRS or Fury or if you want a custom Ski for the Job Grafton Paddle sports has a few tried and true boats that have won events of this nature before.
This course can be completed as an individual or as a double.
View Map
Ultra (20km)
(feels like 15-18km depending on flow) 2 hr average (fastest time approx 1hr 26mins Guy Andrews 2017)
Location Start: Lillydale Bridge, Winegrove road
Location Finish: Copmanhurst Riverbank, Lawrence St Copmanhurst (Just off Grafton -Tabulam Rd)
Date: 1st December
Race start: 7:30 am
Course description
Deep pools followed by shallow gravel races make for a rush of adrenaline at each of the grade 1 and 2 rapids. This paddle is great even when river levels are low as its mainly the speed of the gravel races that change. Even in low river levels you will achieve speeds of 12 kph without paddling in the gravel races.
Gravel races are relatively simple to run so provide an ideal place to get started in down river events without major risks to life or boat. A couple of the rapids have easier slower and less obstructed lines as well as faster but riskier lines which will be mentioned for your ease come event weekend.
This is the perfect opportunity for an ocean paddler or flat water paddler to try their first rapids race and a flatwater paddler to get a bit of a thrill. Complete the course as an individual or double.
Enduro (12.5km)
ENDURO COURSE – Distance 12.5 km 1 hr
Location Start: Clarence river Medium Course start (private property off Amos lane Upper Copmanhurst follow signs to start line)
Location Finish: Copmanhurst Riverbank, Lawrence St Copmanhurst (Just off Grafton -Tabulam Rd)
Date: 1st December
Race start: 8:00 am
Course description
This is a perfect opportunity for those competitors who love the bike and run legs but not as confident on the paddle to choose the slightly less technical paddling leg. All paddlers will be able to achieve this leg, with the more skilled paddlers able to complete it faster, using the gravel races to move ahead. Complete the course as an individual or double. (NOTE DO NOT ACCESS THIS SITE FOR TRAINING WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM PRIVATE LAND HOLDER, GATE IS LOCKED & THERE ARE DANGEROUS BULLS THAT WILL CHARGE YOU)
Taste & Junior (2km)
Location Start/ Finish: Copmanhurst Riverbank, Lawrence St Copmanhurst (Just off Grafton -Tambulan Rd)
Date: 1st December
Race start: 9:00 am
Course description
If you are new to the sport, have children who want to get involved or paddling isn’t your best leg, but you still want to give it a go then this is for you. 2 km is a perfect distance to have a bit of fun, and push yourself, but not need all of the endurance and technical skill of the ULTRA & ENDURO options. Expect it to take between 15 & 25 minutes for most paddlers.
All forms of kayaks welcomed here from wide sit on plastics to sleek river and ocean racers, there are no rapids in this race so a surf rudder will be fine to use 
However keep tabs on the river depths as certain lines are better than others.
Complete the course as an individual or double.
Registrations are NOW OPEN so get training and start planning the weekend away.
The Gorge AdventureRun
Completely escape the “same-same” of regular trail running and become magically absorbed in the adventure experience as you run along the edge of the Clarence Valley Gorge, through cattle tracks, water crossings, rock scrambles and so much more.
Our short course turns and crosses the Gorge early and allows a safe crossing amongst the pools, with the gentle sound of rapids and waterfalls close by. The long course continues further along the edge of the Clarence River to the Gorge property boundary before returning and crossing the river and taking in the bulk of the amazing Gorge waterfalls and rapids from the rocks that line its edges.
This Adventure run has a couple of safe sections to cross the river with rope crossings and signage in a few areas.
View Map
Ultra (18km)
ULTRA COURSE – Distance 18 km (feels like 22km) 2 hr fastest time, slowest 3hrs 30
Location: Clarence Valley Gorge Homestead
Date: 1st December
Race start: 2:30 pm
Course description:
The run leg begins along cattle tracks that dance with the edge of the Clarence River and the edge of the gorge a few times early in the piece, with sections veering higher in the landscape and through different vegetation and crossing small creeks and wetlands. After the cattle track you will turn to the edge of the river and follow the rocks along to a course junction where the medium (Enduro) course diverges right to cross the river.
The medium (Enduro) course turns and crosses the Gorge early. the longer Ultra course continues much further upstream along the river’s edge (to the Gorge property border) before coming back and crossing the river and taking in the bulk of the amazing Gorge waterfalls and rapids from the rocks that line its edges.
This Adventure run has a couple of safe sections to cross the river with rope crossings and signage in a few areas.
Enduro (11km)
ENDURO COURSE – Distance 11km – 50 mins to 1 hr
Location: Clarence Valley Gorge Homestead
Date: 1st December
Race start: 2:30 pm
Course description
The medium run leg begins along cattle tracks that dance with the edge of the Clarence River and the edge of the gorge early in the piece, with sections veering higher in the landscape and through different vegetation and crossing a few small creeks and wetlands. After the cattle track you will turn to the edge of the river and follow the rocks along to a course junction where the medium (Enduro) course diverges right to cross the river.
The medium (Enduro) course turns right and crosses the Gorge early (there will be plenty of markings to show where) and allows a safe crossing amongst the pools with the gentle sound of rapids and waterfalls close by. The longer (Uutra) course will continue much further upstream along the edge of the Clarence River.
This Adventure run has a couple of safe sections to cross the river with rope crossings and signage in a few areas.
Taste & Junior (2km)
TASTE & JUNIOR – Distance 6km
Location: Clarence Valley Gorge Homestead
Date: 1st December
Race start: 2:30 pm
Florest FlowMtn Bike
If you are looking for a challenging, yet visually spectacular mountain bike course, this one is for you. With many kilometres of well-built single-track winding its way through the Bom Bom state Forest, sections of really unique riding, along with some exciting dirt jumps – this mountain bike course is just heaps of fun.
Skilled riders will find they are able to navigate the course faster and can take A line options for extra fun and some race specific benefit. Beginners can feel confident in that there are B line options for many of the features.
Competitors will be available to pre-ride the course the day before the event.
There are options to suit your preferences with Ultra (45km), Enduro (22.5km) and Taste/Junior (12km), so be sure to bring the whole family and make a weekend of it.
View Map
Ultra (45km)
ULTRA COURSE – Distance 45 km (Ultra long distance) 2 hr-3hr
Location: Bom Bom State Forest
Date: Sunday 2nd December
Race start: 10:00 am
Course description (Long course = 2 x laps of the mountain bike course)
The ULTRA mountain bike course covers TWO LAPS of the mountain bike course and is for the seasoned rider, or one who just wants to get out and have a good crack at a great course. The MTB stage has kilometres of well-built single-track that winds its way through the Bom Bom State Forest. There are sections of really unique riding in addition to some exciting dirt jumps (which makes for heaps of fun).
Skilled riders will find they are able to navigate the course faster and can take A line options for extra fun and some race specific benefit. Beginners can feel confident in that there are B line options for many of the features.
Enduro (22.5km)
ENDURO COURSE – Distance 22.5km (Enduro Middle distance) 50 mins to 1 hr30
Location: Bom Bom State Forest
Date: Sunday 2nd December
Race start: 10:00 am
Course description (Medium course = 1 x lap of the mountain bike course)
This mountain bike course has kilometres of well-built single-track that winds its way through the Bom Bom state Forest. There are sections of really unique riding in addition to some exciting dirt jumps (which makes for heaps of fun).
Skilled riders will find they are able to take the course faster and can take A line options for extra fun and some race specific benefit. Beginners can feel confident in that there are B line options for many of the features.
Taste & Junior (12km)
TASTE & JUNIOR – Distance 12km
Location: Bom Bom State Forest
Date: 2nd Decemeber
Race start: 10:00 am
Course description
If you are new to the sport, have children to who want to get involved or mountain bike riding isn’t your best leg, but you still want to give it a go then this is for you. 12km is a perfect distance to have a bit of fun, and push yourself, but not need all of the endurance and technical skill of the ULTRA & ENDURO options.
How the weekend will work
If you are doing ALL THREE STAGES this will be how it flows.
If you are only doing 1 or 2 of the stages, use this as a guide for planning.
There is plenty of time between stages to get to the next location and set up etc.
Each location will have a HQ area for you to collect race bibs, etc.
Friday30th November
Race pack pickup & Logistics Briefing
Where: Copmanhurst riverbank HQ (Rest Point Family Hotel: 59 Grafton St, Copmanhurst)
Times:
5:30 pm Race Pack Pick up
5:30 pm Carb Up Dinner (available for all competitors and families) *exact details to come
6:30 pm Guest Speakers – details to come
7:30 pm Logistics Briefing (for competitors doing all of the disciplines – not mandatory; mandatory briefings will be held 30 mins prior to each race start time at race HQ)
CAMPING: Tonight’s camping includes two location options
Location #1: Lillydale Bridge (start location for Enduro (long) paddle stage.
Location #2: Copmanhurst riverbank (start location for taste/junior paddle – finish location for all paddle stages).
Camping at the Finish Area of the paddle at Copmanhurst is available for $8 per person and is on the edge of the river (only a few hundred meters from the local pub where presentations will take place). You can set up your tent before or after presentations and then it’s a quick walk or bike ride back to the campsite to cap off a great weekend of getting outdoors with your mates. Showers are available to anyone who is staying at the campsite and pays the $8 camping fee HERE.
Saturday1st December
Stage 1 Clarence River Rush Paddle:
Briefing 7:00 am at Race HQ/Start line
Starting at 7:30 am at Lilydale Bridge
View COURSE maps HERE
Please arrive early enough to set up, check in, collect race bibs, sign indemnity forms (if not signed Friday night).
Travel to Gorge Rd via Gwidyr Highway, Rogan Bridge Road, heading toward Copmanhurst, then aim to get to Winegrove Rd and then cross the bridge to Gorge Rd.
Along the Gorge Rd there is 27 km dirt road leading to a dead end, which is the Gorge campground (private property). It is possible to get along it with a 2wd but easier with a car that has higher clearance than a VW golf. Once at The Gorge, the campsites can be driven to, with some sites closer to the river harder to access than those further away from the river. Camping will include – Music, BYO drinks, Food for purchase or BYO food and Results update
Stage 2 The Gorge Adventure Run:
Briefing 2:00 pm at Race HQ/Start line
Starting at 2:30 pm at The Gorge
View COURSE maps HERE
Please arrive early enough to set up, chack in, collect race bibs, sign indemnity forms (if not signed Friday night).
This run also finishes at the Gorge and is the location for the camping spot for Saturday night. Please make sure you have PRE-BOOKED your camping spot here.
Saturday Night Fire place and Music
The Gorge campsite
Camping will include – Music, BYO drinks, Food for purchase or BYO food and Results update. Cost is $22 per vehicle. Camping sites are limited and must be booked. See Camping for more information
Sunday2nd December
Stage 3 Forest Flow Mountain Bike:
Briefing 9:30 am at Race HQ/Start line
Start at 10:00 am @ Bom Bom Mountain Bike Park, cnr Boundary Road and No 10 Fire Road.
View COURSE maps HERE
Please arrive early enough to get yourself set up, check in, collect race bibs (if not collected Friday night).
Sunday Afternoon presentations and music
Our Forest Flow and Adventurethon Demolish winners will be crowned 2:00 pm at Bom Bom State Forest Mountain Bike Park. Entertainment, food and beverages will be available. We encourage all athletes to come down, it will be a great way to end an adventure filled weekend.
Please note: details are subject to change to suit safety, track conditions and overall fun. Please use as a guide only and ensure you are at the briefing before the event.
Check this page regularly for up to date Logistics Information
Information Booklet
For all the information you need on the event weekend download the competitor information booklet below
(book will be available shortly)
View Info Booklet
Format
Adventurethon Demolish has 3 different stages for you to choose from. PADDLE, RUN &/or RIDE.
The beauty of the DEMOLISH format is the opportunity to choose JUST 1 discipline. So if you are an avid Mountain biker and can’t paddle, or find it hard to get a team – this is perfect for you.
The Clarence River Rush Paddle is Saturday (1st December) morning
The Gorge Adventure Run is Saturday (1st December) afternoon
The Forest Flow Mountain Bike Leg is Sunday (2nd December) morning
You can choose to do JUST 1 Stage (or 2 stages) or complete the ULTIMATE DEMOLISH (which is all 3 stages). It really is up to YOU, and your preferences. There are also multiple distances to choose from in each of the stages.
location
All races will be in the Clarence Valley region over the weekend of 25 & 26 November. We have allowed sufficient time between races to allow you to easily transfer between race locations if you wish to compete in all 3 (Ultimate Demolish) or to spectate and see what great fun the competitors are having in the other disciplines.
How to get to Grafton & the Clarence Valley event
Grafton is located 300km south of Brisbane, 90km from Coffs Harbour and 600km north of Sydney
downloadable maps
Ultra; Long Course
Enduro; Medium Course
Taste/Junior Course
Ultra; Long Course
Enduro; Medium Course
Taste/Junior Course
Ultra; Long Course
Enduro; Medium Course
Taste/Junior Course
Equipment checklist
Please be sure to read the entire checklist below as there are mandatory items on the checklist which you will need to make sure you have before race day.
Let us know if you have any questions. (the full checklist for those doing all three disciplines, however, if you are doing one stage only (or two) please go through each discipline to ensure you have what you need).
download checklist
Start location & transitions
Stage 1: Paddle Leg – Starts 7:30 am at Lilydale Bridge, Winegrove Road & Finishes at Copmanhurst (45 min drive from Stage 2). Presentations at Copmanhurst. Camping Available
Stage 2: Adventure Run Leg – Starts 2:30 pm at The Gorge, Heifer Station, Clarence Valley (45 min drive from Stage 1)
Overnight Camping at The Gorge
Stage 3: Mountain Bike Leg – Starts 10:00 am at Bom Bom Forest Mountain Bike Park, Grafton
Accommodation
We like to ensure our competitors always have a comfortable and relaxing home to settle into & at the same time have a fun trip, this event is great in that our home will be a camping area where we can all enjoy each others company and remove the distraction of electronic devices, phone calls and facebook notifications ! yeeha !
Pre race safety briefing and rego pick up are held on Friday 24th November at Hotel Motel 5, and we have secured limited FREE camping spots here. If you would like to secure one of the spots please make sure you book straight away. Available to first 30 people booked. If you have 4 people in your group, please book 4 camping spots so we can make sure we have the right number of people booked.
Limited campsites available. Pre-book now!
Pre-book Hotel Motel 5
Camping is available on Saturday 25th at The Gorge (after the run leg) and is charged at $22 per car load of people. Enjoy a special camping area allocated right near the Run event start/ finish area so we can enjoy some time mingling before and after the event.
The Campsite overlooks the river and is on a privately owned Cattle station
The area has toilets and bins onsite and is BYO toilet paper and everything else (as it’s quite remote).
The Dirt road to access The Gorge requires a little bit of clearance. We took a few vehicles out on our reccy trips and although a VW golf made it all the way to the campsites its hardly the best choice if you have access to a slightly beefier vehicle with more clearance for dirt roads and puddles / should there be rain leading into the event. Sometimes with rain there is a small river crossing which requires a bit of clearance any standard 4wd will easily get through…some sedans also.
Camping trailers/ caravans/ campervans are welcomed on site.
This area is perfect stay over for those wanting to do the run event and with travel times all sorted and a late start for the paddle the next day you will find it easy to get to the start line of the paddle the next morning.
Limited campsites available. Pre-book now!
Pre-book The Gorge
Camping at the Finish Area of the paddle at Copmanhurst is available for at $8 PER PERSON and is on the edge of the river only a few hundred metres from the local pub where presentations will take place. You can set up your tent before or after presentations and then its a quick walk or bike ride back to the campsite to cap off a great weekend of getting outdoors with your mates.
Showers are available to anyone who is staying at the campsite and pays the small camp fee
(please note this cost is a per person cost, not per vehicle)
Limited campsites available. Pre-book now!
Pre-book Copmanhurst
Car hire & Transport
If you need to Hire a car we suggest you consider clearance when driving on dirt roads, as well as having to potentially cross a puddle or 2.
The dirt road to The Gorge requires a little bit of clearance. We took a few vehicles out last year and although a VW golf made it all the way to the campsites, it’s hardly the best choice; if you have access to a slightly beefier vehicle with more clearance for dirt roads and puddles should there be rain leading into the event. Sometimes with rain there is a small river crossing which requires a bit of clearance any standard 4wd will easily get through…some sedans also.
Buses
Athletes competing in the Ultra/long and Enduro/Medium Clarence River Rush paddle transport is on offer. Athlete are to drop off Kayaks at starting line and drive to the finish line. Here a bus (MUST BOOK) will pick athletes up and drop back to starting line therefore cars are parked at the final destination.
There are 3 time slots available, TBA am (Ultra/long), TBA am (Ultra/long) and TBA am (Enduro/medium). You will need to book and preference will be given to those without a support crew. Use the link below to book a seat on the bus here.
Book your seat
Transporting equipment
You will need to provide your own equipment for each stage of the race. If you need to HIRE bikes and/or kayaks check out the info. The best way to transport between these stages is with a vehicle.
Activities
Lets face it we all want to cram as much fun stuff into one trip especially when these trips tend to be family together time, catch ups with friends or romantic getaways for the active
So having a few activities you must have a go at in the area seems like a good idea of which you can pick and choose which if any you want to add to an already awesome weekend. More to follow
- Fishing in the Gorge for Bass (catch and release only)
- Bush-walk with Friends / Family
- Watch the sunset over the Clarence river
- Wake up with River views
Or you might decide to have a look around and come back on another adventure, perhaps finding some more advanced sections of river further upstream on the Mighty Clarence Canoe and Kayak trail.
Bike & Kayak Hire
Kayak Hire
Bike Hire
For INDIVIDUAL kayak Hire options check HERE . Select your kayak, then choose whether to add a paddle and/or pfd.
There are also DOUBLE KAYAK options at $80 per kayak. Book them HERE.
If you don’t see what you are after in this list, please email Joel at info@adventurethon.com.au along with your particular kayak requirements so we can begin to facilitate this for you.
Bike Hire is available for $60 from Ventoux Cycles, 27 Park Beach Road Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Contact Al on info@ventouxcycles.com.au to arrange your bike hire.
Want to use your own equipment but travelling by air?
Please email Joel at info@adventurethon.com.au along with your particular requirements so we can assist you in working out logistics of this.
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