EVENT INFO & FAQ

  • Sunday 16 August 2026

    • 8:15am Race Briefing. Event Village

    • 9:00am Multisport. Event starts with the kayak leg on the water in front of the event village at the Orford Recreation Ground at 23 Rheban road, Orford.

    • 1:30pm Kids Racing Begins Egg and Spoon Racing National Championships. Event Village

    • 2:15pm Team/Family Race Egg and Spoon Racing National Championships. Event Village

    • 2:30pm Individual Egg and Spoon Racing National Championships. Event Village

    • 3:00pm Presentations. Orford Bowls Club (50m walk from event village)

  • The multi-sport challenge has categories for the following:
    Juniors (average age of 20 and under),
    Open (20-40),
    Masters (40+).
    Within these categories, you can compete as an individual, a pair, or a team of 3 or 4.

    Individuals must be 16+. All competitors younger than 14, even if competing in a team, should send us an email at winterchallengetas@gmail.com to discuss. We will do our best to accommodate Tasmania’s newest up and coming athletes!

  • The family category is returning for the Multi-Sport Challenge!! This is for teams of 3/4 people, where all team members are from the same family. Got another family in mind you think could make a good team? Let them know, and you can go head-to-head against them, or race them side by side!

    Call your Brothers, Sisters, Grandma, Grandpa, Sons, Daughters, or Mum & Dad, and get them to put in a family team!

    Please note that all competitors within the team must be of at least 14 years of age. If you have someone eager to compete in this category that is younger than 14, please get in contact with us and we will do our best to accommodate them.

  • Returning for the 2026 Winter Challenge is a 5 minute neutral zone for individuals between the kayak and road bike legs on the Sunday.

    Competitors will have 5 minutes to dry off, get warm and change into new clothes AFTER the kayak and BEFORE the road cycle, that WILL NOT count towards your event time.

    This is to make sure everyone out on course is warm safe, even if it ends up being a cold day!

  • The event village will be at the Orford Recreation Ground at 23 Rheban Road, Orford. There is plenty of free parking here, as well as public toilets, plus a recreation oval for anyone keen to have a kick of footy while they wait for their team mates!

    The Multi-Sport Challenge will start on the water in front of the Orford Recreation ground (23 Rheban Road, Orford), and all leg transitions will be at the event village at the recreation ground.

    The Egg and Spoon Racing National Championships will be held on the Orford cricket oval, adjacent to the event village.

  • The event village is at the Orford Recreation Ground, at 23 Rheban Road, Orford. This is where registrations, leg transitions, and presentations will be. A great spot for spectators to catch the action!

  • What if I don’t own a kayak, or can’t get mine to the event? Good news! Next Level Kayaking is offering kayak rental across a broad range of kayaks for the whole weekend. They’re even able to transport your kayak to and from the event for you! Keen to know more? Get in touch with them today at https://www.nextlevelkayaking.com.au

Mental Health evaluation

In partnership with Victorian-based mental health research organisation Prevention United, we’re evaluating the impact of physical activity and social connection on competitor mental health during the Tasmanian winter.

Now the event is over, this marks the second stage of a two-year evaluation designed to help quantify these benefits, giving us a clearer understanding of how social and physical activity can influence mental wellbeing during one of the toughest times of year.

All research is 100% treated by external partners, meaning it is fully anonymous, and we (Winter Challenge crew) have no visibility on who is doing the survey.

If you would like to participate in this super quick and easy survey, please click the link below. Thanks for contributing to this awesome research!

Survey Link

Winter challenge event team

Photo: David Lennon

Tim Harmsen

Tim has been competing in Tassie multi-sport events ever since he was old enough to compete. Multi-sport events are always his favourite days of the year, and for good reason! He just LOVES getting outside in Tassie with the riding and running communities to go explore, have fun, and find some exciting hills.


After working many seasons as a mountain bike guide in Derby, and working a season as a mountain bike coach in Canada, it’s no surprise that Tim’s favourite leg of the event is the mountain bike leg.

Photo: Murilo Mattos

Wayne Chapman

Wayne brings with him extensive experience cycling in Tasmania, and knows the roads and trails around Orford like nobody else. As the former director of the Winter Challenge in 2018 and 2019, Wayne knows how to make this event run smoothly, safely, and in an inclusive manner.

Known for his ability to ride his bike all day long, often without stopping for water or food, Wayne’s favourite leg of the event is the road cycle.