Sunday's opener to the West Sydney orienteering series was a showcase in how to maximise all the available parkland when setting a course.
Upjohn Park in Rydalmere is a great area for introductory events, with enough traps around the creeks to catch the unwary.
Changes in direction require careful thinking to ensure the right bearing is taken, and creek crossings are at the whim of water levels and vegetation thickness.
Pictured here is the short line course.
The score course of 24 controls (no planning time allowed) was 5km by optimal route yet had barely 500m of road/footpath running if you chose to stay on the grass.
We were delighted to see newcomers attracted by our social media advertising and 76 entries in total - despite forecasts of temps well above 30C.
Thanks to setter Janet Morris and the WHO club for a great start to the series. This weekend we are at Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta for some riverside recreation, with Lyn Malmgron and SHOO in charge.
