"Off-the-paths" Orienteering Training Day Report

Post date: Sep 16, 2012 10:32:59 PM

The Cork Orienteering Club's annual "Off-the-paths" Orienteering training day took place on Saturday the 15th of September in Farran Forest Park. 21 participants from our Summer and Autumn Leagues signed up to avail of the opportunity to improve their orienteering skills.

Our club coach Danny O’Hare organised the training activities and he was assisted on the day by three of our experienced club members, Ailbhe Creedon, Gerald Duffy and David O’Donovan. Given the busy schedule of exercises planned for the day Danny sensibly made arrangements with Mick O’Callaghan from Lee Valley rowing club to provide the sustenance needed to maintain the energy levels of all participants. The tasty food was provided in the National Rowing Center which is also located in Farran Forest Park.

Colm, Oisin and Aoife O’Sullivan who are regulars at our Summer and Autumn events this year travelled from Clonakilty to par-take in the training day and have kindly written the following report on the day’s events.

"We were delighted to participate in the Cork O training event on Sat 15th Sept in the beautiful Farran Woods. We started off very unsure of ourselves but after the cool card game based on orienteering symbols and with the help of the tasty scones we relaxed into the day. Then we were divided into groups and the hard work began. The first course was following linear features or handrails around Farran where we saw 2 stunning deer and lots and lots of ducks. We also learnt here that laced up shoes are better than velcro strapped ones as 2 of the boys lost their shoes here. A great rest was had while we ate soup and sandwiches in the Rowing Centre. For the second course we were using attack points where you run to a distinctive feature before your control and then walked to punch it. The children took turns describing the direction and attack points to be used for each control and we had many races to them. This was followed by the course itself, the result of which is on the website. We must have covered around 8kms up and down every path much of it done at speed trying to keep up with the Bosonnets so our legs are well tired now. Thanks to Danny O'Hare, Ailbhe Creedon, Gerald Duffy and David O'Donovan from Cork O for a most enjoyable and educational day. Thanks also to Mick O'Callaghan from Lee Valley rowing club for feeding us and letting us use the National Rowing Center.”  by Colm, Oisin and Aoife O'Sullivan

We hope all those that attended found the day beneficial. Results of the afternoon course are available here. Just a reminder that you can put your new orienteering skills into practise at the final event in our Autumn League in Farran Forest Park on Tuesday the 18th of September.

If anyone missed out on the training day you can improve your orienteering techniques by reading Gareth Bryan-Jones booklet titled “Orienteering Techniques”. Copies of this booklet can be purchased from the club for just €3. If you are interesting in obtaining a copy just as at registration on Tuesday or contact us via the website.