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Mastering Key Skills: The Importance of Navigation Training, Checkpoint Finding, and Exceptional Communication

Writer's picture: Jerry JamesJerry James
It is that way!
photo credit Heather Lewis

Cara and I participated in our first Rebelle Rally (RR) RebelleU training in Ridgecrest, CA, and it exceeded all expectations!


The first two days were spent in the classroom with Emily Miller, the RR founder, and seasoned instructors who have competed in the rally multiple times. The atmosphere buzzed with veteran Rebelles and rookie teams alike, which was incredibly inspiring as I've followed many of these women for years through various media.


On our third day, we ventured out to "base camp" for practical sessions on timed and precision enduros. We practiced our first enduro, with Cara handling the navigation and me driving. Interestingly, swapping roles significantly improved our performance in enduros; Cara excels at quickly delivering directions during the intense timed segments, while I found my niche behind the wheel. For me, having a break in navigation is very welcomed.


Navigation, as it turns out, is quite stressful!

Following the enduro, we split into groups to hunt checkpoints together. Laura Wanlass, a six-time RR competitor, guided our group with patience and expertise. Discovering our first checkpoint flag was a thrilling moment for Cara and me!


Ready to Roll!
photo credit Heather Lewis

The final day of training simulated a rally day. We arrived at basecamp at 5:30am, received our checkpoints at 6am, and immediately began plotting our course. With a timed and precision enduro scheduled, Cara focused on the calculations while I plotted and started planning our route. At 6:45am, Emily gathered everyone for a mandatory meeting, and by 7:28am, we were 16th off the start line. Plotting all checkpoints proved challenging, as it often does on actual rally days, but we had a strategy in place to tackle hunting, double-checking, and final plotting.


Throughout the day, communication between us was exceptional—possibly our best yet. Despite nerves, the day was filled with excitement and fun. After turning in our race trackers, we were thrilled with our final score: 96% of available points! This success reflects our dedication to honing the skills necessary for the RR.


It takes Two!
photo credit Heather Lewis

As the rally approaches, excitement and anticipation grow. We're eager to put our hard work to the test and can't wait for rally day!


-Danielle

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