Sledding classes cater to various ages and include both non-competitive and competitive classes. Specific sledding equipment is required for all classes.
PEEWEE
Children as young as 4 years of age and up to 10 years of age can take part in this class. Younger children require an adult to accompany them on their approximate 500-metre track.
JUNIOR
Children aged between 10 and 16 can enter this class. This requires the Junior to use a scooter to run their single dog through a bush track approximately 3 kilometres long.
NOVICE
This class is for adults who are new to the sport. The novice uses a scooter to run a single dog through a bush track approximately 3 kilometres long.
NON-COMPETITIVE 1 DOG AND 2 CLASSES
This class is perfect for those who are happy to run their dog in a non-competitive manner. This class is suitable for adults who are starting out in the sport and are wanting to get a ‘feel’ for things, or for dogs who may prefer a slower pace.
It is recommended that if you are new to the sport you only run with one dog until you and your dog are more experienced. You may find the Event Organiser may make this request of you anyway.
The track length for this class is approximately 2 kilometres.
As you gain more experience, 2-dog non-comp classes are available, on the same length tracks.
VETERAN 1 DOG AND 2 DOG CLASSES
This class caters for those DOGS (not humans) who have reached their veteran years and are still willing and able to run around the track. This class is for an adult on a scooter and a dog who is 7 years or older.
2-dog veteran is also an option as long as both dogs are over 7 years of age. An adult will use a scooter to run both dogs together.
Track lengths are approximately 2-3 kilometres.
1 DOG
This class may also be referred to as 1 DOG OPEN and is a competitive class for an adult on a scooter and 1 dog. Track lengths vary from approximately 2 kilometres to 5 kilometres.
2 DOG
This class may also be referred to as 2 DOG OPEN and is a competitive class for an adult on a scooter with 2 dogs. This class is for experienced ‘mushers’ and track lengths are approximately 3 to 5 kilometres.
3/4/6/8 DOG
These classes are referred to as ‘rig classes’ and are only open to experienced mushers. A ‘musher’ or ‘driver’ (as they are also known as) use a 3 or 4 wheeled rig, to run a team of dogs on a track length of usually over 4 kilometres. The more dogs in a team, the longer the track distance.
In WA we mostly see teams of 3, 4 and 6 dogs at events.
CANICROSS
This class has been growing rapidly over the past few years and sees a runner attached to a single dog, and they both run their way through the bush on a track of approximately 3 kilometres.
BIKEJOR
In this class, a single dog is attached to a bike, and the rider and dog make their way around a track of approximately 3 to 5 kilometres. This class is for experienced mushers only, as it is far easier to dismount a scooter than a bike should things go awry.