Expert Training With ACE Races

Rob Howard / 21.03.2005

With a full season of racing ahead, the ACE Races training course is an ideal opportunity to learn and sharpen up racing skills under the guidance of expert instructors. And with only a couple of weeks before it takes place (it’s being held over the weekend of 2-3 April), there are still a few places available.

The action packed weekend starts on the Friday night with team building, videos, and some instruction on building map boards, then on Saturday there is a full day of instruction on kit, canoeing skills and safety, navigation (day and night), fitness and nutrition. On Sunday all this is put into practice with an adventure challenge, accompanied by the instructors, followed by an evaluation of how everyone got on.

The weekend is open to AR beginners wanting to know how to get started, and to experienced racers looking to improve their performance, and the instructors you could be racing with include Tom Gibbs and Helen Jackson of Team Saab Salomon, Keith Byrne of The North Face, Eddie Winthorpe and Anna McCormack. Between them they have a wealth of experience from dozens of ACE Races and many international events like Eco-Challenge.

The weekend takes place in Telford, with accommodation, indoor pool and lecture facilities at Wrekin College, and starts at 8pm on Friday night, finishing at 5pm on Sunday. All meals are included and accommodation is in dormitory style rooms. The cost is £195 full board or £155 without accommodation, and those interested in taking up the last few places can see all the details and register for the course via the Ace Races web site.