President Paul Prudhoe's wicked streak revealed
- Last Updated: Monday, 26 November 2012 12:15
At least that is what anyone who was tempted into the higher point scoring controls will have discovered at the latest Central Coast event this Sunday. Paul's determination to make sure winners earned their points meant that key controls were located at the top of rather useful hills. It proved very enticing for those with strong leg muscles, the ambitious or perhaps those who didn't read the contour detail as well as they might have. Karen Blatchford was the biggest scorer overall so clearly had a good workout but whatever the final scores, all enjoyed the lovely shady park overlooking beautiful Brisbane Waters where the start and finish were located.
There were new faces in the near 40 strong field with a number of new Central Coast club members running. The club are hoping to see everyone again next week 2 December at Rowan Park, Lake Haven, where it will be the turn of Hilary Wood to set the course. Once again the start is close to the water so participants can take advantage of a refreshing post-run swim. More details of next week's event can be found on the Central Coast website
Big fun rushed through that weekend leaving a happy trail of maps and ice-cream!
- Last Updated: Monday, 26 November 2012 11:00
The NSW Wildfires were invited to join in with the ACT Blue Sparks camping trip and what a fantastic weekend it was! With nearly 60 people along, including 6 families from NSW this was a big increase in the numbers from last year's camp. Clearly the word is getting around about the fun to be had together on this annual camp run by Toni Brown and David Poland.
Starting out with a training session on Saturday morning with Jock Davis (Big Foot) on the Snow Hills maps the under 12's from both States learnt about how to read complex mine diggings. Older orienteers also took advantage of the session; Australian Internationals Mace Neve and Lachlan Dow, Australian Junior International Ollie Poland and NZ International Lizzie Ingham as well as some of the NSW Junior Squad were out enjoying the training too.
Lunch was back at the private bush block owned by the Polands followed by a dip in their pristine but chilly waterhole. David Poland had set up a series of training exercises around the main site to practice map thumbing skills, how to understand map legends and IOF descriptions, and even how to draw a map where a series of unusual objects were masquerading as map symbols. A BBQ supper and a thrilling night 'O' event with roaming controls and flashlight spotters finished up the day with the children happy to crawl into their tents early, ready for a 7am start the next day.
Sunday was more technical training followed by an extensive hour long rogaine set by Noah Poland and the Miller brothers, Patrick and Tristan around the bush block. The adults were as keen to get out into the field for a run as the children, and careful planning was needed to make sure that some of the younger teams didn't show up the more experienced orienteers and rogainers. Matt Hill and Ian Jones showed the way picking up all the controls in the hour, with NSW team consisting of future champions, Ewan Shingler, Sophie Jones, Callum Davis and Georgia Jones getting all but three in a stunning display of wily planning and pure speed. Everyone's score was evened up at the finish with the final control, set right in the middle of the waterhole, which scored a massive 10,000 points for all those hot and dusty runners who fancied a dip. Toni magically produced icecreams for all - yes, adults as well!
Many thanks to the Poland family for their generous invitation, to Jock Davis for his training session and to all the ACT youngsters (special mention Zac Needham) who helped to lead the individual training activities over the weekend. The date has already been set for next year 23/24 November 2013 - put it in your diary and don't miss out next time!
Saving mothers and babies!
- Last Updated: Saturday, 24 November 2012 08:57
Uringa Orienteers will donate 50% of the net surplus from their Summer Series event on 28th November at Major's Bay, Concord to the Zonta Birthing Kit Project. The project aims to aid a safe birth in lesser developed countries by providing cheap, effective materials needed during delivery. Each kit costs about $3 and contains simple items such plastic ground sheets and clean gauze swabs. Kits are put together by volunteers at assembly events hosted by Zonta.
Jonathon Holland romps home for a win at Lake Albert
- Last Updated: Friday, 23 November 2012 10:16
The first event of the Wagga Summer Series was held yesterday on the foreshore of Lake Albert, and included Rawlings Park and adjacent streets. With two score courses on offer each time, this 9 event series takes place on Thursday evenings throughout the summer until March.
On the 45 minute course Alex Davey worked in a clockwise direction around the map and amassed a very good 160 points. Bob Moore and John Oliver tied for second place with 145 points each.
However all were eclipsed by Jonathon Holland’s excellent total of 125 points scored on the 30 minute course despite having 20 points deducted for exceeding the time limit by just over 3 minutes. Briohny Seaman finished second and Debbie Davey wheeling grandson Ryder around in the pusher came third.
Next event will be Thursday 29 November commencing at 6pm from the corner of Kaloona Dr and Yanco Cres Hilltop.
