How to Sled Dog

The first rule of sled dog sports is: Never let go! The second rule of sled dog sports is all about temperatures and safety. The best way to get started with SASDC is by attending a come and try day, training event, or reaching out to us.

What to bring:

  • Yourself and your dog 
  • Warm clothes/shoes 
  • Bike, helmet or scooter if you have one
  • Lights or headlamp
  • 2L of water per dog 
  • Food and water 
  • Vaccination certificate (minimum C3)
  • Chew proof lead or crate to secure your dog safely while at the event 
  • Camping gear, tent, swag, etc if camping over night

Come & Try Day

We often begin with a talk about sled dog sports and important information. We do a demonstration from some of our members down a 100 metre straight track, and then gear you and your dog up to have a go down the straight! 

Training Day

Typically run on a weekend morning. We arrive around 3pm, set up camp and tracks. We usually make a short and long track. We sleep the night and are up at around 6-7am for experienced members to run the trails, around 9am we begin with a talk about sled dog sports and important information. We do a demonstration from some of our members and then gear you and your dog up to have a go around the short track! 

Races

Racing events are run over weekends, camping is available from 3pm Friday but you may also arrive the morning of the event. Around 6.30am we hold a compulsory drivers meeting and bib draw. Racing kicks off at 7am with the longer distance competitive classes first. We camp overnight and do it all again the next morning. We finish with a sausage sizzle and presentation!

  • Entries open a few weeks before the event.
  • Track map released in the race information pack or when entries close before the event.
  • Classes will start separated and seeded, or in waves, check the start list for the day.
  • Drivers meetings are held around 6-6.30am, latecomers will incur time penalties or may not be allowed to start.
  • You must keep all non-competing dogs clear of all start and finish chutes, if you get too close you could interfere with someone’s race!
  • At the start line, you will see a sprayed or marked line. Your handler and dog may cross the line but you must stop with your wheel behind it. The race marshal will give you the ok to start on your time interval. No rolling starts.
  • Catching other teams on course is part of racing. If a team behind you has given ample time and communication and they catch you, you must yield and give way to let them pass safely.
  • You are responsible for yourself, your dog(s), and your handler’s behaviour.  Warnings, time penalties, or disqualifications apply for dog aggression anywhere on the track or event grounds.
  • The course markings are there to indicate that you are heading in the right direction.
  • Participants are expected to remain on the established trail following the course markings and not deviate or take shortcuts. Time penalties or disqualification apply to those that are caught taking short cuts.
  • Read and understand the rules.

Beginner's Guide

Feel free to download this comprehensive beginner's guide provided by the Australian Sleddog Sports Association.

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