Sun 6th May: NOY2 - Butterwick
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NOY2: POST-EVENT REPORT
You would be hard pressed to find a better day to have seen the Butterwick Crown Reserve than Sunday 6th May, 2018. Beautiful mild, sunny conditions – perfect orienteering weather. Over 90 entrants enjoyed the conditions to experience an area not previously used for orienteering.
Rob Bennett’s blistering 50:58 time on the 7.0 km Hard Long (edging out Justin Stafford by the smallest of margins) suggested fast, open running conditions. Which is true – in part. The trick was not getting tangled in any green along the way, of which there was plenty. Although a few entrants returned bearing the scars of battle, most seemed to have enjoyed the experience. And many felt better upon administration of a chilled beverage and an egg & bacon roll or a sausage sandwich. Apparently, Peter Newton ended up feeling REALLY good – and he didn’t even run a course!
Thank you to those who took time to provide constructive feedback about the map. While updating an existing map is not too threatening an activity, starting one from scratch offers somewhat different and more complex challenges. Will everyone else see what I’m seeing – and the way I’m seeing it? And just how should that be put onto paper? The verdict amongst those I spoke with was that the “Rough Open with Scattered Trees” areas did not really benefit competitors, as the distinction between that and “Open Forest” was not sufficiently clear in the forest itself. Future versions of the map are unlikely to have a lot of yellow on them (sorry, Justin). Maybe if OCAD had a way that you could gradually fade in the colour at the edges of an area... But I enjoyed the experience, learnt a lot from it and am glad that people thought the area was worth mapping.
As always, there were others who pitched in to make it all happen. Peter Newton took on the (often thankless) task of vetting, offered helpful suggestions, set up, packed up and drove the gear van. And it is worth remembering that had it not been for a chat between Peter and Russell Rigby (the master of the base map), this area might still be “undiscovered”. Joy Guy was stalwart, as ever, on the desk, then took time to help collect controls. Jeff Guy coped with an error in the course files that were on the computer, as well as 2 malfunctioning SI units, while manning the finish. Geoff Todkill deserves thanks for the printing, Geoff Peel & Margaret Peel for the string course. Rudi Landsiedel, Denis Lyons and Rob Vincent also went back out to gather in controls, signs and streamers. I was otherwise occupied during the setting up, so apart from Carolyn Chalmers, I’m not sure who helped, but thank you nonetheless. If I have missed you or forgotten a job, please accept my apologies. Of course, thanks are also due to the members of the Hinton Wallalong Pony Club for use of their facilities. Emma and her team provided some wonderful catering - and the very sociable atmosphere that goes with the food & drink. They look forward to seeing us next year. I trust we look forward to seeing them!
Finally, a request. Please take time to post your route on RouteGadget (just follow the link). It doesn’t have to be pinpoint precise and I promise no-one will laugh if you took what I might call “an unconventional route choice”. (Trust me – we have all been there at some stage!) It is easy to do it manually – just tick the “Draw Your Route” box (top right of the screen), select your course and name, then click on the start triangle. Every time you click, it adds another point and joins it up to previous points to show where you ran. Those with GPS units will probably have a rough idea how to load a .gpx track using the “GPS upload” link instead.
“But, why?” I don’t hear you ask. (I’ve got the speakers off.) I find it helps, as a course planner, seeing how people approach some legs. In my head, I have an “ideal” solution, but other orienteers sometimes see good ways of doing things that have never occurred to me. Understanding how people think while on a course helps to design better courses. And you might just get something from seeing how others compete. Give it a go!
David.
No Date Yet - Smart Phone Demonstration Event
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*Update 26/3/18 - No date yet - could not do this wednesday due to various commitments. In the meantime I do urge you to just go out and give it a go (there is a printable map if you read further down). Any feedback you wish to give or questions you might have just drop me an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Thanks, Shane.
*Updated 21/3/18 - Event Postponed - a new time will be sheduled soon. In the meantime the map will stay available to anyone to give it a go at any time.
*Updated 19/3/18 - Start times and FAQ
*Updated 16/3/18 - PDF of map and contact details added
Note 2: I will be there from 5pm and stay til around 7ish to help out and answer any questions you might have. In the event of bad weather we may look to postpone to a later date. But if you have spare time you may run the event at anytime.
Note: there may be other sporting groups using the fields please be respectful.
On 21st of March there will be a demonstration event for the use of smart phone technology in orienteering. This is no cost to run in this event as this is a demonstration event.
We will be rerunning the carrington map from last year (same start finish location) - only one control has been dropped if you decide to bring your map (3C is now considered in out of bounds) to use in conjunction with the map on your smart phone.
This is a PDF of the map that will be used for this demonstration. Please bring your own map (or use the one on the phone)
You can download the app Maprun for both Andriod and iOS (Andriod v41.2 and iOS 7.0.1 or later). Please download the app before you arrive.
A major difference you will notice is that all the controls are worth the same number of points and penalties apply for being late.
While we are hoping most will have a go on the day the map will be available to be run anytime on the app for the near future.
We will be collecting feedback on how easy/accurate it was on the day and by survey later on.
Here’s a quick overview of what to do
• Tap Name and enter your details
• Tap Select Event (or Reload Event if you’ve already downloaded the Event)
• Choose the event from the NSW event list - Carrington
• Tap GotoStart to see the map
• Then when you are ready, press Start GPS and go to the Start Triangle. Your time starts when you hear the “beep” at the Start.
• Your time finishes when you hear the “beep” at the Finish (avoid the start/fininsh triangle on your run as you may finish early)
Once you have finished upload your results (you can even upload your GPS to strava if you have an account).
Results can be viewed in the app.
Routegadget can be viewed here
Questions? Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Short FAQ
What do I need?
A smartphone is the minimum rquirement with the maprun app (fully charged phone will help the app can be very power hungry on older phone models)
How do i know i punched a control?
The phone will emit a beep and/or vibrate (this is the iphone - not sure on andriod but should be similar)
Can i run the app in the background?
Yes - as long as you turn notifications on (again this is true on the iphone)
Do i need a physical map?
No, but i found it can be helpful especially if you have somewhere to store your phone that you can see/hear the notifications. My personal setup would be physical map, arm band for my phone and notifications on my linked watch.
How close do i need to get?
Unlike answers and clues from our traditional street you must enter the circle to 'punch' the control - the circle is about 10 metres diameter. We have tested all the controls and they do work. (check out the routegadget). So trying to see the answer from 100 metres away won't work on this event.
How long do i have?
45mins and there is a clock in the app that starts when you 'punch' the start
Changes to Event Entry Fees
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At the Club's recent AGM it was voted to keep event entry fees for Club members for the upcoming 2018 Bush Series, and the BOSS, Street & Urban Series held over the 2018 year-end at the same level as they have been since 2016.
The levy paid per entry to Orienteering NSW will increase from $4 to $5 as of the first Bush event on 25 March. However, entry fees for Club members will not change. Casual competitors will pay marginally more to enter.
Adult members pay $10 to enter a Bush series event. After payment of levies, the remaining $5 funds a variety of Club expenditure including map production and printing; payments for applications to use National Parks, Crown Lands, Hunter Water property, and Hunter Development Corporation property; payments per user to National Parks ($2.47) & State Forests ($3.75); incorporation fees; ONSW's general membership levy ($3500.00 pa); prizes and trophies; web hosting; SportIdent and computer equipment; and expenses associated with the Club van (approx. $5000 pa).
We hope you will continue to support our family-friendly and affordable sport!
New maps for NOC
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The recently gazetted Stockrington State Conservation Area west of Minmi gives us the opportunity to produce several new orienteering maps. Because this area is large, it lends itself to sharing the work around a team of mappers.
If you’d like to get involved, please contact Ian Dempsey or Rob Vincent to discuss. You don’t need to have mapping experience; we can provide training and support along the way.
First Aid Training
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Do you have current First Aid Training? Are you willing to get qualified in First Aid?
We are looking to expand are register of qualified First Aid holders within the club.
We are willing to offer subsidies on the cost of the training. If you are interested please see Joy at an event (Registration Desk) or email the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
