Event Introduction

This is PIRATE RAID! The latest adventure event to take thrill seekers by storm! An outright adventure race, but with much much more. Located in the spectacular coastal playground of Salcombe in South Devon, competitors will board a pirate ship, search for buried treasure and explore smugglers coves. Add plenty of skulduggery and some exciting challenges, and you’re got a serious event that is designed it to be extreme fun for all levels, from complete newcomers to elite adventure racers.

The main event will take place on Sunday 22nd June and is a demanding eight hour adventure race called the “PIRATE RAID”. Here teams of three will be required to navigate a challenging course involving kayaking, trail running, mountain biking, scrambling, orienteering and the relatively new sport of coasteering. Taking part will be bags of fun, but to succeed will require stamina, teamwork and guts. Sit on top kayaks are provided but you will need to bring your own mountain bike, helmet and wetsuit.

For those new to adventure racing or anyone just up for a bit of fun, there will be a cut down three hour “PIRATE RAMPAGE” through the streets and beaches of Salcombe. This will take place on the evening of Saturday 21st June and although it will be predominantly foot based, participants should expect a few surprises and must be prepared to get wet! To take part you will need to be in pairs or teams of three and you won’t need any equipment other than a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards.

The whole weekend has a festival atmosphere and there will be plenty of other amusements and entertainments to keep non racing family members entertained. This will include an opportunity to take a coastal cruise on a beautiful square rigger pirate ship and of course a raucous pirate party with plenty of rum! Those competing for the top prize must complete both the PIRATE RAID and the PIRATE RAMPAGE.

Places are limited to 100 teams in the PIRATE RAMPAGE and just 40 teams in the PIRATE RAID. Early indications are that this is going to be a popular event so anyone interested in taking part is advised to book their place quickly.

PIRATE RAMPAGE

Overview

Whereas the PIRATE RAID is a tough and serious adventure race that should only be undertaken by those who have engaged in an appropriate training regime, the PIRATE RAMPAGE is a light hearted and fun event that is designed to involve people of all abilities.

- Registration from 12:00
- Race brief 17:00
- Race starts Saturday 18:00
- 3 hours time limit
- Teams of 2 or 3
- Open to anyone over the age of 16
- Predominantly foot based
- Checkpoint challenges
- Expect to get wet
- Post race bbq and entertainment
- Max participants: 300

Both the RAMPAGE and the RAID have prize categories in their own right, but participants aiming to win the overall prize must enter a mixed sex team of three in both events.

Prize Categories

1st / 2nd / 3rd Mixed Teams
1st All Male
1st All Female
Various Spot Prizes including:-
- best dressed pirate team
- best use of pirate language

The Rampage Format

The Format of the PIRATE RAMPAGE is fairly simple; The course is kept secret until the last minute. After a mass start all participants dash to collect their map packs, they then have 3 hours to visit as many checkpoints as they can. Many checkpoints involve a fun "checkpoint challenge". Each checkpoint has a different score assigned to it, depending on how hard it is to reach or how difficult the checkpoint challenge is to complete. The aim is to accrue the highest score possible in the quickest time possible. Teams that go over the time limit will incur a penalty.

This event is very inclusive, and is predominently foot based. It may involve small amounts of kayaking and swimming, so you must be prepared to get a wet! None of the checkpoint challenges are compulsory and there is always a chicken out option for those that don't fancy any particular element, but you will incur a time penalty if you choose to take it.

Foot: Whether you run or walk, the key is to select suitable footwear and travel at whatever pace is best for your team.

Navigate: We use a number of differing styles of mapping, none of which is designed to catch you out. Even people with very basic navigation skills should be able to complete the course.

Kayak: There may be a small amount of paddling involved in the Rampage. We have a large fleet of quality Sit on Top (SOT) kayaks for use in this event. These single and double kayaks are rigid, stable and practically unsinkable. If you have limited or even no previous kayaking experience dont worry! These boats are very simple to master and paddling in a straight line is simple! Quality paddles and buoyancy aids are provided.

Swim: There may be a very small amount of swimming involved. All participants MUST be able to swim at least 50m unaided. Time to dig out that swimming badge!

Race Base

The race base is situated in a fantastic location overlooking the harbour, from here you will be able to soak up the atmosphere grab some pre-race refreshments or enjoy the post-race bbq and entertainment. If you’ve forgotten any bit of kit, don’t worry, we’ll have all the essentials available for that last minute crisis.

Sport Ident Timing System

Each participant is equiped with a small electronic stick or “dibber” which they wear affixed to their wrist. When they find the checkpoint they must insert the dibber into a hole on the checkpoint box, this records a time stamp on the dibber. After crossing the finishing line each racer must visit a download station inorder that their scores can be calculated.

Safety Note

Endurancelife events are physically challenging and take place whatever the weather. Although you must be capable of maintaining concerted physical effort for an extended period of time the events are very achievable if the correct training and preparation is undertaken. It is important that you are both fit and aware of the demands the event will make of you. If you would like to take part in an event but are unsure about your fitness levels or it’s suitability for you, please give us a call for a chat.

PIRATE RAID - Now open to Pairs!

Overview

With all the fun of the RAMPAGE over with - its time to get down to the serious adventure racing. BE WARNED the PIRATE RAID is a tough adventure race that will attract international athletes.

- Registration from 12:00 Sat
- Pre-race brief 07:30 Sun
- Starts Sunday 8:00 Sun
- Minimum of 6 hours on the course
- Course closes after 8 hours
- 65+km adventure course
- Bike, foot, kayak, coasteer, navigate, swim, rope work
- Teams of 2 or 3
- Good level of fitness required
- Max Participants: 120

Both the RAMPAGE and the RAID have prize categories in their own right, but participants aiming to win the overall prize must enter a mixed sex team of three in both events.

Prize Categories

RAID
1st / 2nd / 3rd Mixed Teams
1st All Male
1st All Female
Various Spot Prizes

COMBINED (Top Prize)
1st / 2nd / 3rd Mixed Teams
Various Spot Prizes

Adventure Race Format

The Format of the PIRATE RAID Adventure Race is fairly simple; Teams are released at timed intervals with the highest scoring teams from the previous evenings PIRATE RAMPAGE starting first. The course is kept secret until the last minute. Each team starts with a dash to collect their map packs, they then have between 6 and 8 hours to navigate their way around the course visiting as many checkpoints as they can. Each checkpoint has a different score assigned to it, depending on how hard it is to reach or locate. There are a number of compulsory checkpoints that each team MUST visit, as well as optional checkpoints along the way that some teams may decide to strategically bypass. The aim is to accrue the highest score possible and return to the finish line within the time limit. Teams that go over the time limit have points deducted for each minute they are late.

Core Disciplines

Kayak: We have a large fleet of quality Sit on Top (SOT) kayaks for use in this event. These single and double kayaks are rigid, stable and practically unsinkable. They are supremely well suited to adventure racing and have been specially selected for their good all round performance and portability. If you have limited or even no previous kayaking experience these boats are very simple to master and paddling in a straight line is simple owing to the latest hull designs. Quality paddles and buoyancy aids are also provided.

Bike: Due the terrain you will encounter, it is not possible to use a road bike – it will not survive! A mountain bike with tyre good tread and front suspension forks is well recommended.  If you don’t own a mountain bike or feel that your mountain bike is not up to it, you can always hire one from us. We have a fleet of new Kona Blast hard tail mountain bikes that are ready to hit the trails. Click HERE for more details! Or contact us to reserve one.

Foot: You can run or walk the key is to select suitable footwear and travel at whatever pace is best for your team. you will be on your feet for around 3 hours as you swap between the bike, kayak and your feet; the key is to set a consistent pace that will see you through to the end of the race, as a team.

Coasteer: Part scrambling, part swimming this thrilling activity allows you to reach otherwise inaccessible parts of the coast. Routes traverse around the base of cliffs and through sea caves. You will require your own wetsuit (5mm long legs) for this, but we will provide you with a personal flotation device (PFD) and helmet.

Navigate: This is the backbone of the Pirate RAID; the ability to move as a team with map in hand. We use a number of differing styles of mapping and this can prove interesting for even the most seasoned of orienteers. Whilst the navigation underpins the whole Race, it is not designed to catch people out and does not prevent participants with more basic navigation skills from competing or completing the course.

Sport Ident Timing System

Each participant is equiped with a small electronic stick or “dibber” which they wear affixed to their wrist. When they find the checkpoint they must insert the dibber into a hole on the checkpoint box, this records a time stamp on the dibber. After crossing the finishing line each racer must visit a download station inorder that their scores can be calculated.

Mandatory Kit

- Mountain bike
- Bike or AR Helmet
- 30L DryPack
- 750 ml Hydration system (bottles/bladder)
- Adequate trail shoes
- Lightweight shower proof / windproof jacket
- Emergency Whistle
- compass
- Old trainers for kayaking and coasteering (NOT neoprene booties)

Recommended Kit

- Hat / Buff / Gloves
- Neoprene gloves
- Favorite energy snacks

Safety Note

Endurancelife events are physically challenging and take place whatever the weather. Although you must be capable of maintaining concerted physical effort for an extended period of time the events are very achievable if the correct training and preparation is undertaken. It is important that you are both fit and aware of the demands the event will make of you. If you would like to take part in an event but are unsure about your fitness levels or it’s suitability for you, please give us a call for a chat.

IMPORTANT: For this event you must be able to swim at least 100m unaided.

Other Skulduggery

The Devon coastline is famous for its history of pirates, smugglers, ship wrecks, and skulduggery! The Pirate Raid is based out of the atmospheric seaside town of Salcombe with plenty of narrow streets and cosy smugglers pubs. There will be entertainments throughout the weekend, including pirate re-enactors, live music a hog roast and a pirate themed party and awards ceremony!

The square rigger pirate ship "The Mathew" has an important roll to play during the Pirate Rampage on the saturday evening, but there will also be opportunities for you and any friends and family members to take a short cruise on this unique square sailed pirate ship throughout the weekend.

The Matthew

The “Matthew” is a modern recreation of a square rigged sailing ship in which explorer John Cabot sailed from Bristol to North America in 1497! The European explorers of that time were hoping to find a sea route to Asia to trade silks and spices – but instead of finding China or Japan, Cabot and his crew ended up in Newfoundland, Canada and claimed it for King Henry V11.

Today’s Matthew was built by Bristol shipwrights to celebrate the 500th anniversary of that historic crossing and is available for you to enjoy and experience the extraordinary world of the tudor sailors, explorers and pirates.

Details of how to book a space on a cruise aboard the Mathew will be sent to you in an email update once you have registered for this event.

Location Info

The venue for the Pirate RAID weekend is the breath-taking Salcombe Estuary. Those that are familiar with Salcombe won't need much of an excuse to return, and those that are not familiar with the area are guaranteed to fall in love with its staggering beauty.

The Pirate Rampage takes place entirely within the imediate vicinity of Salcombe Town and East Portlemouth beaches.

The Pirate RAID starts and finishes in Salcombe Town but will see intrepid participants ranging across the whole of the South Hams District, taking in all of the most beautiful beaches, coves, cliffs and creeks! We cant think of a better way to enjoy this inspiring landscape.

To visit an online guide to Salcombe where you can lear more about the town, accommodation and its many attractions please Click Here

Entry Fee (Per Person)