Easter 2013 entries closing soon
- Last Updated: Thursday, 28 February 2013 20:57
This is a reminder that the standard entry deadline for Easter 2013 is this Sunday. Late entries will be accepted until the following Sunday but the fees go up significantly.
University students are encouraged to enter the Uni Champs on Easter Sunday. You can do so by selecting the Service for Uni Champs (extra $10) and then emailing the Entry Coordinators their University name and student number.
The Great Tribal Chase - volunteer and have fun!
- Last Updated: Thursday, 28 February 2013 08:48
Good Beginnings is a not-for-profit organisation which helps young Australians who need a hand. Good Beginnings are running The Great Tribal Chase, an amazing race style event, to raise the profile of the tremendous work that they are doing and which they hope will also develop into a fundraiser for them. They would really appreciate help from orienteers on the day of this a fun event aimed at young people and the young at heart. Orienteering will be promoted to all entrants.
As many volunteer orienteers as possible are needed for the day on Sunday 5 May. No special skills are needed, just a willingness to chip in for a great cause and to have some fun. Available orienteers will be assigned check point leader roles. Excellent support will be provided by the event crew.
All volunteers will receive a free Great Tribal Chase entry for friends or family, so you will see them on the day at your check point!
People able to assist should please advise Ian Jessup at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gumboots best for last week's SummerGong
- Last Updated: Thursday, 28 February 2013 08:32
Illawarra Kareelah's SummerGong series started on Saturday afternoon with only eight hardy souls braving the sodden ground and rain bucketing down. Vicki Wilmott had set an interesting course south of the Steelers' Stadium, past the old cemetery and around Wollongong's newest parkland, but alas, at the end of last week, the park was cordoned off as a contaminated area. With a quick removal of 2 controls, moving a third and wiping some distance off the medium and long courses, IKN's determined team were organised again. The assembly was moved from MacCabe Park to the shelter of an adjacent Beaurepairs tyre centre.
All competitors returned soaked to the skin, but smiling. It was great to see a new competitor, Janet Binns finish less than a minute behind Sue Froude, and the Gorman family with Ella and her grandad from the UK out on the course.
The next SummerGong is 2 March 1600-1700hrs. With a new map, and a better weather forecast Keith Jay is promising a fast and interesting course around the Croom Sports facilities and the bush track network in the grounds - don't miss it!
Thanks to Kevin Curby for this report
The O'Shea Adventure Race!
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 February 2013 21:01
The O'Shea 2 day needs to be renamed to the O'Shea Adventure Race according to the intrepid participants at this year's event up near Wyong. Heavy rain didn't deter the teams who started on Saturday with a pairs relay on Dooralong Lodge map. Traditional spur gully terrain was spiced up with some rock for the longer courses, and steeper sections, plus of course the heavier going, courtesy of the weather front passing slowly across the region. Tracks were flooded and racers were soaked by heavy vegetation in the creek crossings, so that the course lengths of 2.9 Easy, 3.9km Moderate, and 4.9km Hard, felt a little longer than usual. 
The weather only added to the fun, according to some of the racers, who described the event as orienteering's version of adventure racing. The Hill family had the best of it in the Long courses with a win for Matt and Barbara Hill, with Angus Roberts and Michele Dawson winning the Moderate courses, and Ian Miller and Samantha Howe taking the top podium places for the Short courses.
The evening event continued on the same map using the extensive path network to keep orienteers on track. Head torches were of limited use with maps hard to read through the rain and light reflecting back off the sheeting deluge limiting visibility to maybe an arm's length. Lightening miles away was never going to cause a fire hazard in such weather instead illuminating the darkness and helping the adventurers with a little extra light. The conditions saw off quite a number of racers but Matt Hill, Angus Roberts and Samantha Howe all tackled the course successfully to take top spots each on their respective courses, giving them their second wins for the weekend.
Sunday dried out and the weather returned to the expected hot and sunny. A scatter course on the Yambo map was set where pairs had to split controls available to ensure full coverage. With the first pair back to win it was Nicola Blatchford and Angus Roberts but as they had won the overall competition it was Matt Hill and Michele Dawson (Garingal) who took the cake on the Long course with Hilary Wood and Robyn Pallas (Central Coast) getting their teeth into the prizes on the Short.
Overall champions for the three events were Fastest Long Pair Nicola Blatchford and Angus Roberts, and Fastest Short Pair Shane Trotter and Maureen Trotter
