Mandatory Personal Equipment – on each person at all times
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Whistle |
1 |
Pea-less so it functions when wet. Easy accessible at all times |
| Race Bib |
1 |
Must be worn at all times as the outermost garment |
| Waterproof Jacket |
1 |
Should be modern (less than 5 years old), breathable, technology. Must be seam sealed |
| Long Sleeve Top |
1 |
This first layer garment must be of a thermal material e.g. polypro or wool, not cotton. Short sleeve top with full length arm-warmers is acceptable |
Mandatory Personal Equipment – carried by any team member
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Headtorch |
1 |
Must be working when checked |
| Survival Bag |
1 |
Enclosed bag style only – no foil blankets, foil bags permitted |
| Hat |
1 |
Warm, beanie type, not cotton. Polypro, thermal, merino as a minimum |
| Waterproof Trousers |
1 |
Should be modern (less than 5 years old), breathable, technology. Must be seam sealed |
| Long Pant Bottom |
1 |
This first layer garment must be of a thermal material e.g. polypro or wool, not cotton. Shorts with leg warmers are not acceptable |
| Warm Top |
1 |
Long sleeve fleece of ‘200’ weight rating or synthetic/down jacket with equivalent fill power or greater |
| Gloves |
1 |
Long fingered, polypro, thermal, merino as a minimum |
Mandatory Team Equipment – carried at all times
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| First Aid Kit |
1 |
- 3x crepe/stretching bandage (min 7.5cm x min 2.3m unstretched)
- 1x triangular bandage (+ 2 safety pins)
- 2x sterile dressings (min 10cm x 10cm)
- 20m (minimum) of strapping tape sufficient to strap multiple injuries (10m carried at all times, 10m spare in gear box)
- Strong antihistamine tablets (e.g. Phenergan or Polaramine) (taken for allergic reactions)
- Pain killers (paracetamol, ibuprofen or similar)
|
| Compass |
2 |
Southern Hemisphere variety |
| Pocket Knife |
1 |
Minimum 2 inch blade, sharp enough to cut rope or webbing in an emergency |
| Spare Headtorch |
1 |
To serve as back up to 4 personal headtorches |
| Tent |
1 |
The tent (carried as an emergency shelter) must be rated at least 3 seasons. Must have a sewn in floor. Waterproof single skin tents acceptable, double skin recommended. Must be sufficient size for all team members to fit inside, this will be tested. Must include all poles, pegs and ropes. No bivy bags |
| Sleeping Bags |
4 |
Must be proper sleeping bags. No bivi bags, blizzard bags, top bags or wraps. Must include synthetic or down insulation and be full body length |
| Route Book, Maps, Race Passport |
– |
Route Book and map of area you are in must be carried at all times. Control Card/Race Passport information will be released in the pre-event briefing |
| GPS Tracker |
1 |
Provided by the organisers. Must be carried as specified by officials at all times |
| Emergency Beacon |
1 |
Provided by the organisers. Must be carried as specified by officials at all times
|
| Strobe Light |
2 |
Must be white light, high intensity (e.g. Xenon strobe lamp), 360 degree visibility, waterproof to 1m or greater, visible beyond 1nm (1.9km) and with charged batteries. Headlamps or cycle lamps that flash are not acceptable |
Mandatory Personal Equipment – Mountain Biking
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Mountain Bike |
1 |
Mechanically sound |
| Helmet |
1 |
International Safety Certification |
| Front Light |
1 |
Must be working when checked. One or two white or amber headlights that can be seen from a distance of 100 metres (one of these headlights may flash). Helmet mounted lights acceptable |
| Back Light |
2 |
Both must be working when checked. A red rear-facing light that can be seen from a distance of 100 metres (this may be steady or flashing). One rear light to be bike mounted, one rear light to be either helmet or backpack mounted. Must be on at all times on the road – even in daylight. |
| Reflector |
1 |
You must have a rear reflector (or reflective tape) that is visible from a distance of 100 metres when light shines on it (eg a car’s headlights). This is New Zealand law and must be enforced |
Mandatory Team Equipment – Mountain Biking
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Repair Kit |
1 |
Contents optional but at least enough to mend several punctures, a slashed tyre and broken chain. We highly recommend that you carry a spare rear light as these commonly break during events and will need to be replaced before continuing in the dark |
Mandatory Personal Equipment – Kayaking (All Teams)
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Paddle |
1 |
Double bladed paddle. GZ Pure teams require paddle to be two (or more) piece ‘split length’. GZ Pure teams will also use this paddle for packrafting. GZ Pursuit teams are permitted to use split and non-split double bladed paddles. GZ Pursuit teams will also use this paddle for canoeing |
| PFD |
1 |
PFD (buoyancy vest) securely fitted (must include cinch-able webbing waist strap), free of defects and of 50N minimum buoyancy (type 406, or equivalent, specialist PFD that complies with NZS standard). No inflatable PFD’s |
| Glow Sticks |
2 |
100mm glow stick in a highly visible position (i.e. shoulder position). Attached securely to PFD day and night |
| Dry Bag |
1 |
A high quality dry bag which you can fit your entire backpack inside or a fully waterproof backpack that can fit all equipment inside and be 100% waterproof |
| Spray Deck |
1 |
Provided by organisers |
| Whistle |
1 |
Fixed to PFD, easily accessible. Pea-less so it functions when wet |
| Pocket Knife |
1 |
Fixed to PFD via a lanyard so that it is easily accessible and within reach at all times. Blade long enough to cut rope or webbing in an emergency |
| Helmet |
1 |
Whitewater certified design with no visible signs of wear or defects. This will be used to protect your head whilst white water paddling. Certified multisport helmets such as the Scarab Kong are acceptable. No bike helmets permitted |
| Wetsuit or Drysuit |
1 |
Additional paddling layer for top and bottoms that can be worn when paddling and the weather/water is cold. This can be one or two separate garments. This will be required for the packraft and canoe sections |
Mandatory Team Equipment – Kayaking (All Teams)
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Throw Bag |
2 |
15 metres in length minimum, rope must float, and it must be secured to boat and easily reachable at all times. One per boat |
| Duct Tape |
1 |
Roll of tape to be kept in dry bag which can be used to temporarily repair any holes, cracks or leaks |
| Bailing Device |
4 |
Device for removing water from flooded kayaks. Can be hand pump or cut up milk container secured inside cockpit of kayak by string or similar |
| Glow Stick |
– |
100mm glow stick attached to rear deck of a canoe. Glow stick is to be glowing when dark. Multiple sticks may be required |
Mandatory Personal Equipment – Packrafting (GZ Pure only)
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Paddle |
1 |
Competitors must use their kayak paddle (see above) for packrafting |
| PFD |
1 |
Competitors must use their kayak PFD (see above) for packrafting. We recommend using something lightweight, particularly when wet, as you will have to carry it |
| Glow Sticks |
2 |
100mm glow stick in a highly visible position (i.e. shoulder position). Attached securely to PFD day and night |
| Dry Bag |
1 |
A high quality dry bag which you can fit your entire backpack inside or a fully waterproof backpack that can fit all equipment inside and be 100% waterproof |
| Whistle |
1 |
Fixed to PFD, easily accessible. Pea-less so it functions when wet |
| Pocket Knife |
1 |
Fixed to PFD via a lanyard so that it is easily accessible and within reach at all times. Blade long enough to cut rope or webbing in an emergency |
| Helmet |
1 |
Competitors must use their kayak helmet (see above) for packrafting |
Mandatory Team Equipment – Packrafting (GZ Pure only)
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Throw Bag |
2 |
15 metres in length minimum, rope must float, and it must be secured to boat and easily reachable at all times. One per boat |
| Repair Kit |
1 |
Small permanent repair kit (that comes with most packrafts) plus a small roll of Tyvec tape for quick repairs (link to tape). This tape is ideal as it is robust, highly adhesive and waterproof |
| Inflation Device |
2 |
Pump that can be used to inflate packrafts. Highly recommended that teams bring at least two options for inflation |
| Packraft |
2/3/4 |
Packrafts sufficient to transport all team members. You will be paddling in flat water and moving water class I-II+. Good quality packrafts are highly recommended (one or two-person rafts). Packraft must be designed specifically to carry the number of people in the raft (ie, teams are not permitted to put 2 people in a raft designed for 1 person) |
Mandatory Personal Equipment – Rafting (GZ Pursuit only)
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Paddle |
1 |
Competitors will be supplied a specific paddle for this leg
|
| PFD |
1 |
Competitors must use their kayak PFD (see above) for canoeing |
| Dry Bag |
1 |
A high quality dry bag which you can fit your entire backpack inside or a fully waterproof backpack that can fit all equipment inside and be 100% waterproof |
| Whistle |
1 |
Fixed to PFD, easily accessible. Pea-less so it functions when wet |
| Helmet |
1 |
Competitors must use their kayak helmet (see above) for canoeing |
Mandatory Team Equipment – Rafting (GZ Pursuit only)
| Gear Type |
Number |
Gear Notes |
| Commercial Raft |
1 |
Teams will be supplied with a commercial style 6-person guided raft and paddles, apart for the guide, teams may also have some passengers along this may require teams to have additional members join their raft who will still paddle but take some photos on the way
|
Other Considerations
One quick note: Duplicated items for different discipline of the Mandatory Gear List may be the same item. Ie, if you require glow sticks for kayaking and packrafting, they can be the same glow sticks. You just need to ensure that when you are on the stage in question, you are carrying the requisite items as set out.
A more important note: The First Aid list above is the MINIMUM required and is in place to deal with ‘trauma’-style injuries and acute blood loss. However, by far the most common injuries or illnesses in expedition events are due to cold/heat, gastrointestinal complaints or are foot related. We highly recommend you consider, as a team, what other items you may require (electrolytes, immodium, blister dressings, foot lubricant, etc). It is important that you and your team mates take personal responsibility for understanding the practical application of the above items. In most cases you will be the first responder to any injuries within your team. We will have a number of trained medical staff positioned around the course but they are there to deal with emergencies and will not be available to deal with standard AR-related injuries such as sore feet, blisters and chaff. With a number of teams only coming together just before the event it is important that you talk together about any medical issues you may have, however personal. For those of you who have personal medication e.g. inhalers, please carry a spare with you when out on the Event (not just in transition bag).
And one final note for good measure: A far more detailed outline of what you MUST carry on each stage will be provided in the Race Handbook which, you will usually receive the day before the race starts/after Registration. In some instances, we may elect to remove certain items of Mandatory Equipment where they do not add any meaningful safety benefit (eg., a short and vanilla bike stage might not require teams to carry a tent, sleeping bags, etc). Conversely, we may ask you to take a wetsuit/drysuit on a coasteering/swimming stage if it is deemed appropriate. We hope you get the picture!
