The long spell of recent warm weather and lengthening days can mean only one thing - our annual Summer Series are just around the corner!
That time of year when we bid adieu to our beloved Aussie bush (and line courses) and renew our appreciation of urban/suburban parks, reserves and foreshores - mostly in a time-limited score format.
First up is the 23rd annual Sydney Summer Series on Wednesday evenings (START OCT 2), comprising 26 events - some on new maps and some on scrolls being dusted off in the vault as we speak. The first event at Blackman Park is pre-daylight saving so starts that day will be from 3pm. Late starters will need a torch or headlamp. Almost as highly anticipated as each map is the post-run blog by series co-ordinator Ross Barr. How can one man have such a commanding grasp of the Queen's English AND the sport of kings?
Newcastle also run on Wednesdays (START OCT 9), with two warm-up events before launching into the season proper. They only allow a 2-minute look at the map beforehand so careful planning on the run is crucial to success there.
Our shorter, pre-Christmas Sydney expansion series are growing steadily entering their third seasons. The Western SSS (START OCT 21) has settled into Monday evenings nicely, while the Southern SSS (START OCT 27) has moved to weekends, with a mix of Saturdays and Sundays.
Around the state there's no shortage of summer series.
Central Coast (START NOV 19) run on Sunday mornings, Wagga (START NOV 21) and Armidale (START NOV 8) do Thursday evenings, while Dubbo (START NOV 1) and Orange (START JAN 31) do Friday evenings, and Southern Highlands (START JAN 4) offer Saturday afternoons.
Looking to grow the sport in northern NSW, our newest club Northern Rivers will host their second event on Sunday October 13 at Shelly Beach, Ballina. And we'll be putting on two free taster weekends in Coffs Harbour (Oct 18-20 and 25-27) following on from the successful inaugural sprint and Wheel O event at the Uni campus in June.
There's something for everyone so grab a friend, colleague or family member and bring them along. Summer series are a great introduction to orienteering.