

Sat 28 October, 2023 : Cape St. Francis : South Africa
About
The inaugural International Adventure Racing Conference
will be held on 28 October 2023, at the conclusion of the 2023 AR Word Championships event in Cape St Francis, South Africa.
The intent is to provide a unique opportunity for all Adventure Racing Stakeholders, present and virtual, to participate in vibrant and engaging discussions on topics most important to the future of the sport.
This provides a valuable platform for networking and collaboration, given that over 100 teams, representing 35 nations, will be present at the World Championships.
See you there!
ARE YOU READY TO HAVE YOUR SAY?
Saturday
28 October, 2023
08:00 - 13:00 (SAST)
In-person Venue: Cape St. Francis Resort, Cape St. Francis, South Africa
Virtual Platform: Zoom
Attendance is free of charge, and all are welcome to attend. Attendance may be in-person or virtually. Interested parties can join any or all of the modules.
In-person attendance is limited to 250 seats
In-person attendees will receive a free goodie bag containing gifts and swag from our awesome sponsors.
The conference will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing.
Goal & Vision of the International
Adventure Racing Conference
The main goal of the International Adventure Racing Conference is to bring together all parties within the Adventure Racing ecosystem who have an interest in the sport, including, but not limited to, race organisers, athletes, technical staff, support staff, volunteers and enthusiasts.
The conference aims to facilitate open discussions on the most important topics impacting the future of the sport of Adventure Racing. Decisions made around rule technicalities, event organising policies, series formats and youth competition will chart the best possible course for the sport, benefitting all who have a stake in its future.
The objective is to emerge from sessions with practical and implementable actions that have the buy-in of all stakeholders, and to create best practices, with inputs from across the globe, to uplift the standard and prominence of the sport globally.
Conference Sponsors




Conference Agenda
Welcome
Speaker: Heidi Muller
Welcome to our in-person and virtual attendees. In this session we will explore the goals and vision for this conference.
What it takes to be at the top for over 10 years
Speaker: Nathan Fa'avae
Tried and true strategies and team dynamics that work. Life lessons from a pro adventure racer with relevance for your everyday life, sport and business goals.
AR Rules Panel Discussion
Moderator: Johan Badenhorst
Panel Members:
- Adrian Crane
- Igor Dorotic
- Mark Goulding
The panel will be discussing the following:
- What is the overall intent of the rules and how should the Refs be applying them
- What happens when a race course has to be changed mid race
- Making the refereeing consistent
- What rules are causing some issues and being looked at for review or changes
and why
What Adventure Racing has given me
Speaker: Mikael Lindnord
Join us for an exhilarating session that delves into the incredible world of Adventure Racing and the profound impact it has had on one dedicated racer. Over the course of 19 years, our speaker, Mikael Lindnord, a seasoned adventure racer, achieved remarkable milestones, culminating in an impressive 6th place ranking in the last two years of his career. Mikael Lindnord journey is an inspiration to us all.
Mikael will then unpack the powerful story of Dog Arthur and this life-changing experiences. We'll also treat you to a sneak peek into the making of the movie "Arthur the King." This epic film is based on Arthur's remarkable journey, and we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes photos. Get ready to see how Arthur's adventures have transcended into the world of cinema, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
As we wrap up this session, we'll leave you with some creative ideas on how to celebrate the intersection of Adventure Racing and Cinema. Join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and ready to embark on your own epic journey.
Striving for Excellence
Speaker: Heidi Muller
In this session we will discuss how to uplift the standard of Adventure Racing and how this will benefit the AR community as a whole.
Youth Development from around the World
Moderator: Johan Badenhorst
Panel Members:
- Alen Pujol (South America)
- Andrew Magness (New Zealand)
- Margaret Mitchell (South Africa)
- Ajita Madan (India)
A panel discussion on how different countries are growing the future of Adventure Racing.
Advancements in Mapping
Speaker: Lars Bukkehave
In this session we will explore the advancements that are being made in mapping.
Training for an Expedition Race
Speaker: Camila Nicolau
During this session, we will dive into the training and preparation required to compete in an expedition length race.
Adventure Racing Federation
Speaker: Lisa de Speville
This session will include a summary and update on the Adventure Racing Federation.
Closing Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Brian Gatens
This session will summarise and highlight the key discussion points examined throughout this conference.
Athletes Forum
An open session to allow questions and discussions between, and for, Adventure Racing Athletes.
HEAR FROM OUR SPEAKERS
CONTACT US
For other questions and comments email michelle@lunaevents.co.za
Luna Events & Travel have been selected as the official conference organiser for the International AR Conference.
Luna Events & Travel is a leading event management company, based in Johannesburg, known for its expertise in organising global conferences, meetings, and corporate events. With a personal passion for Adventure Racing and a commitment to excellence, Luna Events & Travel is proud to be involved with this inaugural AR conference.