SUPPORT CREWS PROVIDE TEAMS WITH ESSENTIALS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE, INCLUDING FOOD, WATER, SUPPLIES, ENCOURAGEMENT AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.
A great Support Crew can make the difference between withdrawing or completing The Kokoda Challenge.
Support Crews normally consist of between two to eight friends or family (one car only). Their job is to rally behind their teams at the 5 Major Checkpoints on The Kokoda Challenge course.
Being in a Support Crew is not only an important role but a rewarding one. Helping someone you care about at their lowest points and celebrating their success is an experience not to be missed.
Please note Support Crews are not required for the Brisbane or Melbourne Kokoda Challenge events. Jim Stillman Cup Support Crews will only attend Checkpoints 10 and 12.
The Kokoda Challenge Support Crew handbook will be available for download in the participants only area.
GUIDELINES FOR SUPPORT CREWS
Where do we meet teams?
As a Support Crew member you will meet your teams at 5 Major Checkpoints along The Kokoda Challenge course. These Checkpoints have road access and designated parking areas. During the Challenge there is a high volume of traffic on the roads and Checkpoints can get congested. You are encouraged to track your team’s progress on the Virtual Spectator and aim to arrive at the Checkpoint no more than two hours before your team is due. During this time, why not pop in to one of the local cafés or visit some of the Hinterland attractions.
The Checkpoints
- Emergency supplies of water are available at all of the Minor Checkpoints – you’ll need to supply your team with water top ups at the Major Checkpoints
- Parking is limited and you may need to walk to meet your teams
- A Support Crew Car Pass must be displayed to enter Checkpoints
- Food and drink is available for Support Crews to purchase at some of the Major Checkpoints
- Please ensure your Team is scanned in and out by the Checkpoint Captain before meeting you
- Please listen to all directions and respect parking officials – they are also Volunteers
- There are toilets at all Checkpoints, however you will need to provide your own toilet paper
- Support Crews must leave with all rubbish they take in
What to expect at individual Checkpoints
Checkpoint 2, Mt Nimmel Lodge
Mt Nimmel Commercial Campground, 271 Austinville Rd, Mudgeeraba
****In 2012 this checkpoint will not be a Major Checkpoint. The first major Checkpoint in 2012 will be Polly's Cafe at Checkpoint 5****
Water will be provided at this checkpoint for teams to re-fill if needed. However support crews are not to report to this checkpoint. First major checkpoint will be at CP5.
Checkpoint 5, Polly’s Cafe
1024 Gold Coast-Springbrook Rd
The majority of participants will arrive at Polly’s Cafe in the afternoon to early evening. Most are starting to get weary with 33.5km under their feet. This is where your Support Crew role starts to become important. Make sure participants are well fed and watered and are prepared for night time walking - that means jackets, beanies, head torches and warm clothes. Parking on-site is limited, so don’t bring anything too heavy that you won’t be able to carry.
Checkpoint 7, Numinbah Hall
Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd, 500m past Chester's Rd
Halfway is here but the finish is a long way off. It’s at this point that your team will start relying on you for emotional support. Tantrums and tears are not uncommon at Numinbah Hall. Halfway point is also the time when physical ailments may appear. Keep an eye on your team members for any signs of dehydration, hypothermia or injuries. Don’t let your team linger too long at this Checkpoint or they may not keep moving. Support Crews can enjoy the encouraging atmosphere and BBQ hosted by the local Community Association before moving on to the staging station at Advancetown Hotel.
A gold coin donation is required for Support Crews to park at Checkpoint 7 - this money goes to Numinbah Primary School who kindly allow us to use their premises.
Checkpoint 10 and Advancetown Hotel
402 Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd
Support Crews get to enjoy the warm atmosphere of Advancetown Hotel. The Hotel is the staging point for Checkpoint 10, Syd Duncan Park. How it works…
- Support Crews report to the Advancetown Staging Captain when arriving at the Hotel and let them know which team(s) you are supporting
- Relax, grab a bite to eat, enjoy the warm and energetic atmosphere and watch the event on the big screen
- Keep in touch with the Checkpoint Captain who can notify you when your team is approaching Checkpoint 10
- You will be issued with a pass and instructions on how to proceed up the hill to Syd Duncan Park
- Meet your team and then keep moving – you must not linger at Syd Duncan Park
Support Crews must report to Advancetown Hotel before progressing to Syd Duncan Park, if a support crew is caught without a pass, two hours will be deducted off their team’s official finishing time. The good news is we have never had to do this before.
Checkpoint 12, Nathanvale Road
Nathanvale Rd
This is the last time you will meet your team - after that they are on their own. If you are feeling tired, imagine how your team is feeling, they have walked more than 78km. Support Crews need to be sensitive to their team's needs at the Checkpoint, after walking this far even the simple things will seem difficult. Help them out as much as you can, be positive and supportive.
After Checkpoint 12, your job is done and all you have left to do is cheer your team over the finish line at the Nerang Velodrome!
The Finish
Address: Nerang Velodrome, Hope Street Nerang
The atmosphere at the finish line is electric, there are tears and cheers as trekkers and support crew revel in this amazing achievement. There is plenty of entertainment at the finish line for all the family including food stalls, music and displays.
What to bring along
There is a car boot full of goodies and necessities we have listed here that you need to carry for your team.
When will my team arrive?
It is often difficult to predict exactly when your team will arrive at a Checkpoint, particularly in the later stages of the event. We encourage you to do two things - use the ‘Virtual Spectator’, and get your team to text you updates where they have reception.
The Virtual Spectator calculates the average speed that your team is traveling and provides an estimated arrival time for your team at the Checkpoint. You will also find on event day that the Virtual Spectator has live cams on the course and real time blog so you can leave messages of support for your team.
Mobile phones
Ensure you have mobile phones with you at all times, preferably on Telstra NextG network. Not only is it useful for your team to contact you (and vice versa) it may be vital for the events staff to contact you in an emergency. Unfortunately there are sections of the track where phone coverage is limited. Please be patient, if there is a problem with your team please speak to the Checkpoint Captain. Read more about phone coverage here.
Get to know your team
Find out what your team members like to eat, what they don’t eat, and whether they have any food intolerances and allergies. This will help with food preparation for big walks; both in training and during the Challenge.
Staying comfortable
Patience is important for Support Crews as you will need to wait for long periods of time for your team to arrive. It is often cold, raining and in the middle of the night. You will be tired so remember – your team is relying on you.
List of items for maximum Support Crew comfort
- Blankets and towels
- Plenty of food and drink for you and your team
- A good book
- An iPod or some music
- Rubbish bags, remember to take all rubbish out
- Something to heat up food and a hot drink
- A tent or tarp for shelter from the weather
- Don’t forget to pack your sense of humour
Food and drink
At the Major Checkpoints there is local food and drink available for Support Crew to purchase.
Respect the environment and local residents
We ask all Support Crews to leave minimal impact on the environment and local residents by:
- Taking everything out that you bring in. There may not always be rubbish bins available so please remember to bring a rubbish bag along with you
- Portable camp stoves are ok but starting a fire is not (even if it’s contained)
- Despite your enthusiasm, please try to keep noise levels to a minimum at night time. Don’t beep car horns
- Do not enter private property under any circumstances
- Only park in areas that are marked or where you are directed by parking volunteers
- Follow all instructions given by volunteers
- Do not attempt to meet your team at any place other than the major Checkpoint
Team members withdrawing from the event
If a member of your team needs to withdraw during the event, you must ensure they first report to the nearest Checkpoint. Remaining team members cannot continue until the withdrawal of the team member has been reported. If for any reason a member of the walking team has to leave the event urgently, they must first report to the nearest Checkpoint or call the event emergency number. If a team member withdraws at one of the minor Checkpoints, event vehicles will ferry them to the closest Major Checkpoint to meet Support Crew.
Checkpoint closing times
If your team has not departed a Checkpoint by the nominated closing time, they will be withdrawn from the event and Support Crew will be notified.
Space allocated at Checkpoints
Each Support Crew vehicle is allocated the equivalent to two car parking spaces at the Checkpoint. Please be considerate of other Support Crews when setting up, for example, a giant marquee is hardly fair to anyone else.
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
The Diggers on the Kokoda Track relied on the help of the Papua New Guinean locals. They called them the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Click here to learn more about the history of Kokoda. You could also be nominated for the Kokoda Challenge Fuzzy Wuzzy Award.
