A NEWCOMER'S GUIDE TO VOLKSSPORTING

Dear newcomer to volkssporting:

This guide has been written especially for you. We hope it answers your first questions about volkssporting. Most of the information pertains specifically to events other than 'Year-Round' Events. For more information, we encourage you to contact your local club or the American Volkssport Association, 1001 Pat Booker Rd., Suite 203, Universal City, TX 78148.

REGISTRATION

Every volkssporting participant is required to have a start card. Obtain your start card at the registration tables. If you pre-registered, go to the table marked Pre-Registration. Pre-registration generally will save you one dollar over same day registration and get you on the trail sooner. Some clubs give special awards to pre-registered participants (oldest particpant, largest group, etc.)

If you have not pre-registered, go to the table for late registration.

When registering, be sure to clearly print your name and address. This will insure that brochures for the next events will be mailed to you.

You must obtain a start card for evey member of your family that participates. You may participate for free, for IVV achievement award credit ($1.50 - $2.00), or for IVV credit and the event award (generally $4.00 - $6.00).

On cycling, swimming and cross country skiing events, you must sign the insurance form. Forms may be set up on separate table, or at the registration table.

Many events have different distances (typically 10 & 20 km for walks). If you are new to volkssporting, choose the shorter distances. Many events have only one distance but allow you to walk (ride, ski) twice on the same day for no additional charge.

START TABLE

After receiving your start card, proceed to the start table. There your card may be stamped with a start number. You will also receive instructions on the trail markers. Be sure to completly understand what the trail markings are. It is also a good time to inquire regarding restroom facilities at the check points.

THE EVENT

WALK, BIKE, SKI - Trails are marked in a variety of ways. They may be signs, chalk marks, surveyor ribbons, maps, or a combination of methods. When there are a variety of events and/or distances on the same day, it is very important to know which type and color marking is for the event/distance you will be doing.

Trails should be marked clearly and frequently enough to that they are easily followed. Sometimes markers may be moved by vandals, so it is important to keep your eyes open. At turns, the wrong way will sometimes be marked as WRONG WAY or some other way such as placing a log across the wrong path (on forest trails).

SWIMMING - Swimming events are typically laps in a pool. Determine how many laps to swim, and hand your start card to the lap counter. You may swim (or even walk) the required laps in any manner you choose, but you may not leave the water until you have completed the required number of laps without forfeiting the laps.

CHECK POINTS

Check points are set up every few miles along the trails. At each one, personally present your start card to get it stamped or validated. On some occasions, the control point will be self marking. Follow the directions on how to mark your start card. Check points will have water available and often soft drinks will be sold at reasonable prices. Most, but not all, check points will have restroom facilities.

Your start card MUST be marked at each check point or you will not receive IVV credit or the event award.

THE FINISH

When you return to the start/finish area, there are three things to do.

First, if you have IVV books, personally present them and your stamped start card at the table. Here your IVV books will be stamped with the official IVV stamp for the event. If you purchased a start card for the event award, your card will be returned to you.

Second, go to the award table where you pick up your award. If you didn't pre-register, there is a chance that the awards have been sold out. In that case, CLEARLY print your name and address on the label provided, and your award will be mailed to you in 6-8 weeks.

Frequently, both the book stamping and awards are handled by the same person.

Third, look for brochures for future events. These may be at the finish table or on a separate table.

IVV RECORD BOOKS

The IVV (International Federation of Popular Sports) has an incentive awards program which is separate from the award offered at each event. Awards consisting of a stick pin, cloth patch, and certificate indicating the different level of achievement are given for two types of participation: events (10, 30, 50, and every additional 25 events) and distance (every 500 km). You can participate in this program by purchasing a record book for either or both categories. Books cost $5.00 and are sold at every event.

At each IVV event you attend, you get one set of books stamped with the official IVV stamp when you present your completed start card. Your first book is completed when it contains 10 different IVV stamps. Your first distance book is completed when it contains at least 500 km. Any distance over 500 km is credited toward your next 500 km. When you complete one book, buy the next one and start filling it.

The AVA address to which you send the completed books is on the cover of the books.

Valley Volkssporters Association 101 N. 38th St. Space 30 Mesa, AZ 85205 Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 641-7577
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