Millyford Bridge    Sat 7th Mar 2020    10.30-12.00

GR: 270078. Nearest Postcode SO43 7GR at New Forest Inn, Emery Down. From here, take the forest road west and the car park is 2 km along the road on the right.

There will be courses available for all levels including Juniors and Beginners upwards. For experienced orienteers this morning is suitable to practice any skill you would like to: accurate bearings, route choice, attack points, improving on the little navigational problem you had at your last event? SOC coaching is free to SOC members. Cost £1 to non-SOC members.

If you plan to attend please contact Helen Wheelwright on helenamandaaa [at] gmail.com (helenamandaaa[at]gmail[dot]com)

If you would like to help-either putting out controls or shadowing participants, please let me know. Thanks.

Organiser

Helen Wheelwright

Coach

Colin Hicks, Kevin Bracher, Helen Wheelwright

Coaching Activity Saturday 14th March Rufus Stone

Rufus Stone   Sat 14th Mar 2020    10:30-12:00

Rearranged activity postponed from Sat 15th Feb.

Parking at Rufus Stone. Nat Grid: SU270125. Nearest Postcode: SO43 7HN. Lat/Long: 50.911474,-1.617046.

There will be something suitable for all standards including juniors/beginners of yellow standard and up.

SOC Coaching is free to SOC members. Cost £1 for non-SOC members.

If you plan to attend please contact Kevin Bracher (k.bracher1080ATgmail.com).

Why not come along to hone and practice your O Skills?! 

For the experienced among you do come and try some loops on a blue/brown only map.

This concentrates the mind on recognising the shape of the land and the water features, besides improving compass and pacing skills. Why do this? Firstly the shape of the land and the more prominent water features stay the same. Secondly being only blue and brown it stops total reliance on using the vegetation and path/track network, which do change over time, thus adding another useful skill to your "toolbox of techniques" Colin H.

Anyone who can offer help supporting these activities putting out kites and or shadowing participants, please let Kevin know at the email address above.

Organiser

Kevin Bracher

Coach

Colin Hicks, Helen Wheelwright, Kevin Bracher

Name: Barbara Davidson

Age Class: W70

What other orienteering clubs do you belong to or have you previously belonged to?
None. Many years ago I was a member of Stockport Harriers but never competed
just went running with the other wives.

When did you start orienteering and how?
Bill introduced me to the sport around 1993 by doing a few low key events in the New Forest before trying to lose me in the Goyt Valley on my first badge event.

How often do you go orienteering?
Until recently 2 to 3 times a month but much less at the moment, hoping to do more this year.

What do you enjoy about orienteering?
Finding the first control is always a good feeling. Visiting different areas around the country and comparing routes and results afterwards.

What is your favourite SOC area and why?
Any area in the New Forest that has a good mix of woodland and open heathland.

What is your favourite orienteering discipline/distance and why?
I like running against my own age class in normal cross country events.

Car parking or controlling? What's your favourite orienteering volunteering?
Gathering controls on a nice sunny afternoon, they always seem easier to find and the Forest seems nice and quiet.

What is the high point of your orienteering career so far?
I did once beat Jenny Thompson on one leg on a course – does this count? But I did once come 3 rd in a French Championship event, I don’t think the French ladies of a certain age take orienteering so seriously, as there were a lot of shouts of ‘ici’, as I neared the controls.

What other countries have you orienteered in?
France and Ireland.

What training do you do?
Used to go running but now need all my energy for the events.

What one piece of advice would you give other orienteers?
Concentrate on your own route and don’t be influenced by others.

What keeps you busy when you're not orienteering?
Golf, walking, cycling and Grandchildren.

What book are you currently reading?
Once upon a River by Diane Setterfield.

Anything else you'd like to share with your clubmates?
Don’t be afraid to offer to volunteer as it’s a great way to learn more about the sport and meet other club members.