Sports
Rafa Campos: From Athlete to Race Director in Extreme Races
Discover how a passion for adventure racing shaped Rafa Campos's career, from competing to organizing endurance events.
In this episode of XTREMMA Sports, Shubi Guimarães interviews Rafa Campos, an iconic figure in Brazilian outdoor sports. They explore Rafa's journey from adventure race navigator to race director for events like Brasil Ride and UTMB Paraty. The conversation delves into the evolution of the sport, risk management, athlete experience, and lessons learned on extreme courses.
On XTREMMA Sports, host Shubi Guimarães welcomes Rafa Campos, a figure who masterfully transitions between the roles of athlete and organizer of major endurance events. Longtime friends and adventure partners, Shubi and Rafa revisit their origins in the sport and share valuable insights into the passion that drives them.
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Childhood and the Fascination with Adventure Racing
Rafa Campos's childhood was marked by diverse athletic experiences, including artistic gymnastics, swimming, and biathlon, always encouraged by his parents to explore different modalities. Born in São Paulo, Rafa also had the enriching experience of a technical school and the Army, which exposed him to various social realities and prepared him for future challenges. However, it was adventure racing that truly captivated him, emerging during a period when the sport was still in its early stages in Brazil.
At that time, races like Expedição Mata Atlântica didn't have "entry points" for beginners; the first race Rafa participated in was over 300 km. For Shubi and Rafa, the modality required navigation with map and compass, cycling, rowing, and trekking, all as a team and for days in inhospitable environments. Rafa recalls that his first experience, in 1999, culminated in a surprising victory after five days of racing, showing that the sport was much more than just physical strength, demanding resilience and decision-making.
The Transition: From Athlete to Director of Epic Races
Military training and experience in adventure racing were crucial for Rafa Campos's transition to event organization. Discipline, leadership, and the ability to make decisions under pressure were skills honed in the Army, proving valuable in his new career path. Rafa found a natural way to combine his passion and his business administration background through corporate team-building training that used sport as a tool.
The invitation to organize Brasil Ride in 2009 marked a turning point. Unlike adventure races, where athletes fended for themselves, events like Brasil Ride required a complete support infrastructure: aid stations, camps, food. Rafa describes the mindset of those coming from adventure racing as "racing on vacation" given the comfort offered. This experience led him to get involved in directing other ultra-endurance races, such as KTR and UTMB Paraty, blending his military background with the knowledge gained from adventure racing.
Challenges and Decisions: The Behind-the-Scenes of Organization
Organizing races like Brasil Ride, with its seven consecutive stages, is a complex challenge. Rafa emphasizes the importance of anticipating problems and prioritizing athlete safety above all else. He always covers 100% of the routes in their respective modalities to feel the level of demand, risk, and need for support, which helps in developing plans B, C, and D.
A notable situation was during Brasil Ride when intense overnight rain forced the cancellation of a stage. Although the start was sunny, the athletes' destination, Guaratinga, was experiencing a disaster. The decision to cancel aimed to avoid logistical chaos, with problems accessing food, luggage, and ambulances. Rafa emphasizes that, while frustrating for many athletes, collective safety and well-being must prevail. The decision to cancel a race, even if painful, is an act of social responsibility, especially when public services need to attend to the community in a disaster situation.
Choosing locations for races, such as UTMB Paraty, also involves complexity. Despite Paraty's charm and tourist appeal, logistics are challenging due to the distance of the trails from the historic center and the local infrastructure. Rafa seeks to balance the beauty of the course with the city's capacity to host and provide support, ensuring a complete athlete experience that goes beyond the competition itself.
Lessons from Adventure and Longevity
For Rafa Campos, adventure racing and outdoor life have provided invaluable lessons, functioning as a true "MBA of life." Self-control, the ability to deal with discomfort, resilience, and seeking solutions instead of complaining are constant learnings. He and Shubi agree that nature teaches one to accept what cannot be controlled and to strengthen oneself in the face of adversity. Rafa emphasizes the importance of exposing children and adolescents to situations of controlled discomfort, preparing them for the challenges of adult life.
Both express a desire for longevity in the sport, envisioning themselves active and exploring trails even in old age. For them, adventure is not just a hobby but a lifestyle that shapes character and provides memorable experiences and a profound sense of self-efficacy.
Rafa Campos's stories and reflections, in conversation with Shubi Guimarães on XTREMMA Sports, offer a privileged insight into the behind-the-scenes of endurance races and the valuable lessons that outdoor sports can provide. It's an invitation to face challenges, manage risks, and above all, to live intensely, learning and growing with every step, pedal, or stroke.
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