Rogaine offers something for everyone in Rotorua jewel

"[Rogaines] are time limited so you finish with everyone else - there isn't that feeling of being left behind," says David Blundell. Photo / Supplied

Whakarewarewa Forest is one of the many jewels in Rotorua's extensive crown. All year round, walkers, runners, mountain bikers and horse-riders enjoy its different aspects - from the magnificent stand of Californian redwoods to soft pine-needled trails, boardwalked streams and dense native undergrowth.

Mountain bikers, walkers and runners are invited to explore the forest depths on Saturday July 25 as Whakarewarewa hosts the sixth annual Great Forest Rogaine.

Rogaine is the sport of cross-country navigation. Competitors use map-reading skills, physical fitness, team work and strategy to navigate around a series of checkpoints or "controls" within an allocated timeframe, gathering points at each control.

As teams can navigate to as many or few checkpoints as they wish, the sport lends itself to people of all ages and abilities and is becoming a favourite for families, as father of two David Blundell explains: "[Rogaines] are time limited so you finish with everyone else - there isn't that feeling of being left behind."

The Great Forest Rogaine is open to teams of 2-5 people who compete over three or six hours on mountain bike or foot.

Neil Kerrison is setting the course for the 2015 event, and looks forward to taking participants to new parts of the forest.

"The difficult part of organising this Rogaine is the fact that there are so many great areas in the Whakarewarewa Forest. It's so big and there are more mountain bike and walking tracks than people realise," he says.

"Spoilt for choice, I've decided to focus on getting people to the underused areas of the forest. My goal is for everyone to explore somewhere they've never been before.

"I've been exploring some great off-track forest for the adventurous foot competitors and the mountain bike track network is the best in the country even in winter!"

Orienteering Bay of Plenty organises the Great Forest Rogaine, and president Erin Swanson is excited about the many different challenges the event offers.

"Not only do you get to exercise in some great areas, but there is also the 'thinking' element of strategising and navigation. It's like a treasure hunt for all ages," she says.

The Great Forest Rogaine offers a special rate so families can compete together or in separate teams to reflect families' changing demands.

As Swanson says: "We have some mums with young kids competing, as well as some all-dad teams. Some of them are using it as training for the GodZone race early next year.

"It's a good example of couples working well together, supporting their partners so each gets some 'sport' time. We also have some very competitive older teams which is great to see - people over 60 - and at the same time some student teams. We have been putting in quite a focus getting more secondary school students involved."

Enter the Great Forest Rogaine online - on-the-day entries are subject to availability.

Great Forest Rogaine

What: 3 or 6 Hour Team Foot or Mountain Bike Rogaine

When: Saturday July 25

Where: Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua

For more information click here.