Building resilience and life skills on rocky trails!
This event is part of the Rocky Trail Academy junior development program, sponsored by Shimano, CST Tyres, Marzocchi and Sendy Gear and endorsed by AusCycling.
RIDER BRIEFING
The Rocky Trail Academy is coming Narooma MTB Park to launch the first NSW South Coast Edition of our schools competition!
- Don’t forget, we have a weekend of racing coming up at Naroooma MTB Park with the Fox Superflow® – 3 race stages, 5 runs on each! This is our second NSW Round for 2025, let’s do this!
This event is proudly supported by these epic local partners:
New to Academy racing? Check out the Event Guide for everything you need to know. Jump on our Venue Guide for location and parking info. Hit the Track Guide for info on all the tracks. Our team has been on-site and have provided some more information about the race day – scroll down for the detailed Rider Briefing.
Emergency contacts:
Race Director – Martin Wisata 0403 090 952
Event Director – Juliane Wisata 0416 737 972
Key things to remember for the ACADEMY:
- EVENT FORMAT: 3 timed race tracks from 9am – 1:30pm offering a balanced skillset challenge and a rewarding experience for all – from “park rats” to inexperienced riders and already racing kids.
- Competition will consist of 3 timed stages and neutral liaison rides: Endurance, Speed and Technical Skills.
- You need to complete at least 1 time on each stage to be in the results.
- You get 5 possible attempts on each track, the fastest time per track then counts towards the result.
- Parents and teachers are needed to help on the day. Come prepared, bring a bike if you ride or pack the hiking shoes for a great day in the bush.
- Classic Rocky Trail Academy Results: Podiums will be awarded for the top 3 riders in each category, and Champions school.
Event services and facilities:
- Food – The awesome crew from the local Narooma MTB Club will feed us for the day. Cold Drinks, Bacon & Egg Rolls, Burgers and Snacks available from their canteen on-site. The originally booked coffee van unfortunately cancelled on Thursday, we’ll try to source alternative options.
- Tech support – On-site by Narooma Bicycles
- School marquees are welcome to be setup in the Event Hub area. Please bring weights to secure the tent. Bus/Trailers drop off then park onsite as directed by our parking marshalls.
Weather:
Warm riding weather low of 19c high of 26c – please bring plenty of water and don’t forget those drink bottles or riding packs. We expect a warm day – we’ll have emergency water at the start and in the event hub for you to re-fill too.
Volunteers:
We encourage volunteering and we need your help! – Parent/teacher volunteers required on the day. Roles include bike and course marshalling. Add your name to the list at registration, or register via https://rockytrailentertainment.com/home/volunteering/ and we will create a roster on the day. Bring a Bike or chair, jumper and sunscreen, wear walking shoes and prepare a loud cheering voice to encourage the kids out on track. Come and have a great day in the outdoors!
We need 5-6 marshal spots for each time slot (9am until 10.30, 10:30 to Midday, Midday to 1.30pm)
Venue Information:
Address: Narooma MTB Main Trail Head, Mitchells Ridge Road, Bodalla NSW, Australia
Race Course Description:
Liaison update – more details:
- SHIMANO – The technical test will be the SHIMANO track. Starting halfway down “Thunderbirds are Go” before dropping onto “Thrill Hill”. 1.3km long and dropping 70m.
- CAUTION: Some fun wooden features towards the end of the race track in “Thrill Hill” – watch out and pick your preferred line – we added a double arrow down at the beginning of this section. Nothing scary, just as a heads up.
- Liaison via Playground Top Station: Ride to start via the top of Playground from main event hub via “Kickstart” and the full “Witness the Fitness” track. Follow signs from the top to Thunderbirds a Go (see Shimano flag)- start is half way down that track. – You will do the big berms and tabletops from the top until you get to the climb – You will see and “M2” sign (marshal point 2). Keep riding up, following the Thunderbirds track until you get to the start (right after the climb levels out). A start marshal will be in place at the start. Photo M2 below.
- Liaison short-cut option: Start at the event hub via “Kickstart” and then ride on Witness the Fitness until you get an intersection that has an “M3” sign – you will see the BOMBER race track (“Shredtopia”) tape through the trees on your right; you may cross the race track carefully from M3 towards the M2 sign; continue on the Thunderbirds track climb until you get to the SHIMANO start. Photo below with view from M3 towards BOMBER race track tape and Thunderbirds neutral track to start is behind.
- BOMBER – The speed track will be the BOMBER track. “Shredtopia” from the top of the Playground finishing just before on the saddle above the event hub. Watch out for the black Marzocchi flag, which marks the finish. 1.9km long and drops 70m
- Liaison: Ride to start at the Playground Hub from main event hub via “Kickstart” and the full “Witness the Fitness” track. About 2/3 up, there is an intersection that is bunted off – Marshal point 3 – M3. Hang a left to keep climbing up, follow the orange arrow. The race starts at the top of Shredtopia. When you finish you can roll straight ahead along the fire road to the SENDY start – see Sendy flags.
- SENDY – The pedal challenge will be the SENDY track. Starting on the saddle above the event hub. We’ve marked it with a Sendy flag and a marshal will be there. The SENDY track is a loop that starts on “Kick Start Outbound” and finishes on “Kick Start Return”. Make sure to hang a left at the fork in the trail – this is the pedal track and you ride back up – the finish is not far from the start. Turn LEFT at the M1 sign, follow the orange arrow. – See photo below, which indicates an “X” – no go. Follow the orange arrows, always. 1.2km and raises and drops 20m
- Liaison: Ride to start of Sendy via Kickstart from main event hub.
Location Details
- Event Registration and Hub: will be located at the main Trailhead of Narooma MTB Park.
- Bodalla State Forest – Leave No Trace: We are committed to the “Leave No Trace” principles. Please join us in maintaining the forest’s natural beauty by following our Sustainability guidelines. – Please waste in bins and do not litter out on course. Rocky Trail Entertainment works closely with the local clubs and land owners or venue managers to make sure each event has the lowest environment impact as possible – all event are Eco Tourism Certified and our Sustainability Policy is available here.
- Traffic: Caution should be taken turning off into the park. Watch out for speed reduction signage as you approach. A parking marshal will be at the turn off to assist with parking.
- Parking: Will be at the main Trailhead of Narooma MTB Park on the south side of Mitchell Ridge Road. Overflow parking will be along Mitchells Ridge Rd, Cpt 3011/1 Rd and the Powerline Easement.
Schedule for the day:
Friday
- 7.30am – Registration opens
- 8.45am – Rider call up – compulsory safety briefing
- 9.00am – All tracks open for racing
- 1.30pm – Last race run
- 1.45pm – Presentation
- 2.00pm – Event closed
Course Marking:
- Course marking is a combination of Orange laminated A4 signs and bunting tape.
- Liaison stages (=untimed “up” to start trails) are marked with “Neutral to Start” and arrows signage
- On track riders must stay within the designated trail and are not allowed to cross bunting tape.
- Riders who are seen to shortcut race tracks will have timed runs removed from the result.
We can’t wait to see you smashing it! –
#rockytrailracer
#rockytrailacademy
What else is happening?
Fox Superflow® Gravity Enduro – 3 stages, 5 runs on each possible!
We can’t wait to see you smashing it! After the event we will provide links for you to access content from the race. Be sure to download them after the race and share your stories with eeeeeveryone using:
#ROCKYTRAILRACER #ROCKYTRAILACADEMY
We are guaranteed a great weekend and look forward to seeing you all here!
About the Rocky Trail Academy Schools events
This popular schools comp with timed sections and multiple runs provides a fun racing experience for the next generations of mountain bikers. The Queensland season of Academies has been huge with over 300+ riders at each round. Chat to Jo at rego if you are interested to have your school involved in the planning.
The format was the brain-child of Bob Morris and Jo Parker, our National Event Managers, who looked to create a format that tested multiple skills of mountain biking, whilst challenging the skilled pinner and yet providing an opportunity for riders of all abilities to have a go. Courses are designed to have a flat pedal for XC riders to excel, a technical gravity track for the gravity pinners to shine, and a flow track for the funsters to speed down. The format duplicates our very popular Fox Superflow with 3 tracks, multiple runs, and live timing, in a social safe environment.
Watching the growth of schools offering Mountain Bike programs as a school sport just demonstrates the tremendous popularity of Mountain Biking in the community and the benefits to all. Jo Parker, strives to see #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes.
With almost 20 Academies planned for 2025 it is going to be an epic year of school events, including the first Rocky Trail Schools Championships at Sea Otter Australia on 23 October 2025 on the Mogo Trails in Batemans Bay! Subscribe now to our newsletter to stay up to date with all of our announcements.
News
Last-minute changes are communicated via:
Rocky Trail Merchandise NEW JERSEYS!
- Rocky Trail Jerseys designed by Dharco ($75, long or short sleeve)
- NEW Rocky Trail T-shirts $40ea
- NEW: Sea Otter Australia Festival MERCH!
- NEW: Dharco Bucket hats! $35
- Socks $25
- Mudguards $25
- Available from the Rocky Trail rego desk all weekend!
Event Content
We can’t wait to see you smashing it! After the event we will provide links for you to access content from the race. Be sure to download them after the race and share your stories with eeeeeveryone using:
#ROCKYTRAILRACER #FOXSUPERFLOW
We are guaranteed a great weekend and look forward to seeing you all here!
General race regulations
- Race etiquette – Important: you MUST adhere to social distancing rules AND rude behaviour out on track is not acceptable. Please be kind to each other. We are all here to have fun. Chat to our Event Managers if you have any questions.
- We love to help and chat! Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
- Don’t litter – please take your rubbish back with you or throw it in the bins/bags near the registration tent.
- Timing will be done with your timing chip – please ensure it is on your bike/attached to your chest and in the MTB that the plastic doesn’t touch any metal parts of your bike (e.g. don’t wrap the number plate around your handlebar).
- You agreed to our RACE WAIVER when you registered online – here is a link to the RACE WAIVER again
- Click here for DETAILED RACE RULES
Any questions?
Talk to us via our online chat – click on the orange circle symbol on your bottom right screen corner and we’ll be right with you! (We always love talking bikes, racing and riding!)
See you soon.
