2026 Festival Guide

Our Festival Guide contains everything you need to know about every aspect of Sea Otter Australia 2026.

Got a question, see event FAQ’s below or hit us up on the chat to learn more!

Smith Optics Enduro Format

10 Epic Stages Over 2 Days With Scheduled Starts & 1 Run Per Track

The Smith Optics Gravity Enduro promises to be Australia’s Biggest Gravity Enduro Event of 2026!

• 10 seperate stages on Mogo Trails most challenging, black and double black trails
• Racing starts at 8:00am in category waves
• Dedicated start times for each rider
• Racing is spread over Saturday & Sunday with 5 stages to complete on each day
• Course maps will only be published 24 hours prior to the event
• All 10 stages must be completed with one run on each track only
• Saturday start is from the festival venue at Hanging Rock, Sunday will start from the Mogo Town Trailhead in Mogo and finish at Hanging Rock.
• Penalties for riders that don’t make their allotted stage start times

All riders must wear suitable Australian Standards body protection including a full face helmet, knee & elbow pads.

Support on course

• One neutral hydration station on course each day, at Mogo Trig.
• No neutral mechanical support.
• Carry your own food, water and spares for 30km+ each day.
• There is a crew member at every stage start and finish plus marshals out on course

Practice

Access to some trails is limited 8am to 2pm on Thursday and Friday while other events run.

Stages that can be ridden before race day are announced in the week leading up to the festival.

Tracks Used (not necessarily in that order):

• Seamstress
• MoFlow
• Vertiginous
• Compression Session
• Alice in Wonderland
• M16
• Narcissist
• False sense of security

3 double black tracks, featuring popular gravity tracks and as requested by riders from year one. There will also be 2 mystery tracks which will be announced 48hr before racing.

Smith Optics Gravity Enduro Course Map

Map will be released soon!

COLOR CODED RACE PLATE

All riders will be issued their own color coded raceplate which must be fixed to the front of their bike:

General Event Signage

View detailed information on all the signage used at Sea Otter please see our Trail Signage Guide

Event Color Code

Riders must follow the “Teal” coloured signage throughout the Smith Optics Enduro:

Smith Optics Enduro

For a complete list of all of the age group categories click here

Age groups are automatically assigned during the registration process based on your year of birth.

Smith Optics Enduro rules

The following rules are specific to this event and are in addition to our General Event Rules which can be seen here

The Smith Optics Enduro, which is the 2-day format generally operates under the rules of AusCycling and UCI :

General Format and Structure

• Duration: 2 days of racing.
• Special Stages (Timed Stages): 5 special stages must be completed each day (a total of 10 stages over the two days for the full “10 Stage, 2 Day Epic” event).
• Total Time: The winner is the rider with the lowest cumulative time from all 10 Special Stages.
• Mandatory Order: Stages must be completed in sequential order as set out by the race organiser (as is standard for this competitive “Enduro” format, contrasting with “Superflow”).

Start Times and Timing

• Enforced Start Times: Riders will be allocated a specific start time for each day, and for each stage of the day. Riders must stick to the posted schedule for liaisons and stage starts to avoid penalties or disqualification.
• Stage Start: Riders should present to the race official at the start of each stage at least 1min prior to their posted start time. The rider must start the stage on the instruction of the start marshal who will provide a brief countdown (“5,4,3,2,1, Go”).
• Penalties: Riders who fail to report to the race official before their scheduled start time will receive a penalty time based on the below scale:

• Riders who are late to a stage must make it to the next stage by their scheduled start time for that stage or receive another penalty

On-Course Regulations

• Self-Powered: The entire course, including liaison and special stages, must be completed under the rider’s and bike’s own power. No shuttling or towing is permitted during the event.
• Course Marking: The course will be clearly marked with arrows, bunting tape, flags, and signs.
• No Shortcutting: Riders must not take shortcuts or ride outside the marked course (bunting). If a rider leaves the track, they must re-enter at the same point before continuing. Penalties (time or disqualification) apply for shortcutting.
• Passing: Be courteous. A faster rider should politely call out, e.g., “rider when ready” or “passing on your [side].” The slower rider must move aside safely as soon as possible. Unsafe passing can lead to disqualification.
• Assistance:
  • External Assistance is NOT permitted on race or liaison stages (e.g., getting a lift or having a mechanic outside of designated zones).
  • Rider-to-Rider assistance is encouraged (e.g., help with mechanical issues or first aid).
• Helping Injured Riders: If a rider stops to help an injured competitor, they should stay with the injured rider until help arrives. Once the injured rider receives assistance the helping rider must pass the finish beacon of the current stage, notify the marshal, and they will be granted a re-run of the stage.
• Neutral Hydration Station: One Neutral Hydration Station will be provided on the course. This is the only official on-course resupply point. Riders must be self-sufficient otherwise and carry enough food and water for the full course.

Equipment and Safety (Mandatory)

• Helmet: A helmet (approved by Australian Standards or an international equivalent) must be worn at all times while riding a bicycle.
  • Full-Face Helmet (fixed or detachable chin piece) is mandatory for all Special/Timed Stages.
• Other Protective Gear:
  • Knee Pads must be worn on all Special Stages (knees must be covered).
  • Gloves are recommended for all riders, and mandatory for U17 and younger categories.
  • Elbow Pads are mandatory for U17 and younger categories.
• Bikes: Only one bike can be used for the entire event. The frame, fork, and wheel rims cannot be changed. The bike must be in perfect, safe working order. Repairs are allowed during the event, but no extra time is granted.
• Race Plate: Race numbers must be displayed on the handlebars. Race plates contain the timing chip and must not be cut or folded to ensure the timing chip works. 

Smith Optics Enduro Categories

Your Age group will automatically be assigned during the registration process based on your Year of Birth.

*Riders must be 15 on or prior to 31st December 2026

Ebike Categories

**Juniors under the age of 19 are not permitted in the ebike category unless given special dispensation from the race director.