SSOC Programme 2024
The Southland Schools Orienteering Championships for 2024 will be held at the Camp Mauritangi end of Fosbender Park, on Sunday 19th of May. Southland Orienteering Club welcomes and encourages all students from Year 5 - Year 13 to give it a go.
There will be four groups – Year 5-6, Years 7-8, Years 9-10 and Years 11-13. These will be divided into Girls’ and Boys’ and Boys/Mixed categories, Novice and Experienced. If you are competing at Novice level, you can go in pairs or alone. Experienced competitors must compete alone.
Entry fee is $10 per map/entry (pairs will pay $5 each), payable to your school. Invoices will be sent out after the event.
Entries close on Monday 13th May 2024. Please download/print and read a copy of the event manual as it contains a lot of important information that you will need to know.
SPORT-ident electronic punching will be used for the Southland School Champs. What is electronic punching? Read about it here.
If you have never tried orienteering, come along and accept the challenge. There will be experienced Club members on hand to help you, and parents and teachers are also welcome to have a go after the last competitor has returned. There will also be a sausage sizzle to help keep up your strength!
Programme
When:
Sunday 19th May. Each competitor in the experienced or each individual/pair in the Novice grade will have their own allocated start time.
10:30am Registration tent open
It is important to arrive at least 30 minutes before your start, especially if you have not orienteered before. There will be people around to tell you what to do, so do not be afraid to ask. Once you have started it will be too late.
11:00am First orienteers start
Individual start times will be published after entries close and are finalised. Each competitor in the Experienced grade or each individual/pair in the Novice grade will have their own allocated start time.
2:20pm Course Closure
If you are still out at course closure time, you will need to abandon your course and make your way back immediately. Do not keep going until you complete your course.
Where:
Camp Mauritangi end of Fosbender Park. From the city, travel towards Oreti Beach. Continue over the Oreti River bridge, past the Cabbage Tree Restaurant and you will soon see the entrance signposted on the right.
When you arrive:
Make sure you arrive in plenty of time (30 min. before your start time), If you miss your start time you will have to wait until there is a space, probably after everyone else on your course has started.
Go to the REGISTRATION TENT to collect your E- Stick and control descriptions. The control descriptions will also be printed on the map.
Check that the course descriptions you get are the CORRECT ONES for your course number.
Read the instructions regarding the maps of the area, hazards and special safety information on the notice board and check what course you are doing. Have a good look at the map on display. Note the position of the finish control so you don't miss it when you finish. Prepare yourself for the start, have a drink of water, choose the right clothing for the conditions, and remember your whistle. Be at the start 6 min before your start time.
Before you get to the start line make sure you know which course you are doing – this will also be displayed on the notice board. Nothing worse than picking up the wrong map!
Maps of the area will be on display. Control flags will also be on display. Club members will help you if you need it.
Starting:
6 minutes before your start time go to the start area with your E stick firmly on your finger and secured round your wrist. You will need to clear and check your E stick.
4 minutes before, your name will be called and ticked off the start list.
2 minutes before, you will be called up to the start line. Write your name on the back of the map. Listen carefully to any last minute instruction.
Look at the map while you are waiting to go. Make sure it is turned the right way, north arrow to the sun (if it is shining).
After the final beep of the start clock you must punch the start control.
Doing the course:
You will be directed to the start point which is an orange triangle. This is shown as a triangle on the map and where you start your course. You must visit the controls (checkpoints) in the order they are marked on your map. A control flag will mark the site. It will have a code number on the top of the stake. CHECK that it is the number you are looking for. If it is, insert your E stick in the electronic box and wait for the red flash. If it isn’t keep looking for your control. There will be some helpers from the club out in the forest if you need help.
Finishing:
Run down the finish chute to the finish banner and put your E stick in the finish electronic box. Proceed to the finish tent to download your results. You can get your map back once everyone has started.
If for some reason you are unable to finish your course you MUST STILL COME BACK THROUGH THE FINISH CHUTE so that we know you are back. Otherwise we will be out looking for you if we think you are lost. Enjoy your run!
If you are still out at course closure time (2:20pm), you will need to abandon your course and make your way back immediately. Do not keep going until you complete your course.
Awards:
Certificates for Southland competitors placed first, second and third, will be sent to your school (Southland Schools only).
After the run:
Once everyone has started you can take (or send) your parents out with your map so they can try finding some of your controls and see what orienteering involves.
On the evening of the event you can find the results here.
