Wheel O rocks... and rolls in Coffs

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 02 July 2013 11:39

ONSW's initial foray into wheelchair orienteering was a great success and had participants demanding more. One of the keen rookies was the local area manager of Wheelchair Sports NSW. His first reaction: "We have to do this again, and soon!"

The brainchild of Coffs Harbour-based Northern Tablelands member Bruce Meder, 'Orienteering Without Limits' drew around 30 people to the local uni on Saturday for a taste of O.

Under sunny skies much the envy of Sydneysiders of late, participants had the choice of 3 line courses, all wheelchair-accessible and suitable for beginners. Course lengths were 300m, 800m and 1200m.

Some of the participants were in electric wheelchairs and some were self-propelled. Route choice wasn't the only problem to be solved - how to hold/carry the map posed an extra challenge. Also present were several families with young children - people we hope return for our proposed promotional events there in October.

Pictured above is Raymond Munro and, left, Luke Fieldhouse (who prompted Bruce to think about 'Wheel O') punches a control.

A huge thank you to Bruce and fellow NTN members for helping pioneer our sport to new audiences.

Bruce's passion for this project gained media coverage as well as a radio interview on 2HC. 

A raft of local organisations, such as disability service provider Lifestyle Solutions, CHEC, Coffs Harbour City Council and Wheelchair Sports NSW banded together to get the event up and running.