The Saturday Orienteering Series is open to everyone!
- No experience is necessary.
It’s ideal for anyone wishing to get some exercise and immerse themselves in a mini adventure.- Both beginners and experienced orienteers are very welcome.
- Orienteering is a great way to develop critical thinking and decision making. It’s a body and brain workout.
- Students, mums, dads, uncles, aunts, friends, grandparents: all ages can run or walk and enjoy the SOS.
Before attending an SOS event, we ask that you please familiarise yourself with our COVID-19 Participant Guide.
Events are conducted for six weeks, every school term.
Our northern Sydney series runs in all four school terms.
During term 1, we conduct an annual Macarthur series which is centred on Camden.
In terms 2 and 3 we also run a series centred in The Hills District.
All events are in well bounded areas and we do our best to avoid roads.
They are ideal events for all ages and experience levels.
| EVENTS |
During term 3 we will be conducting two series: one on Sydney’s northside and one centred on the Hills District.
Events commence on 1 August and run through until 19 September, 2020.
All events for term 3 are now listed on the Bold Horizons Events page.
Due to our management strategies around Covid-19, all term 3 events will require pre-entry by midday on the Thursday before the event.
There will be a link for entry from the event information page with entries opening two weeks before each event.
In the current uncertain environment, we recommend checking our Bold Horizons event listing or our Bold Horizons Facebook page the evening before the event in case of late changes.
| EVENT STRUCTURE |
Newcomers are encouraged to come along and try out the sport.
All events are suitable for beginners with complimentary instruction to get newcomers started.
Many athletes make the SOS either their summer or winter sport and attend every week.
Participants are however welcome to attend casually and only enter the events that fit in with the family schedule.
Whilst some schools include the series as part of their Saturday morning sport offering,
students are also welcome to attend independently of their school.
All events are on Saturday mornings in school grounds, parks and reserves around Sydney.
The series is only conducted during school term time.
Generally, 4 different courses are available to choose between. These are:
Warm Up: A gentle introduction to warm up the mind and body. This course is also suitable for beginners.
Score Course: For this course participants need to plan, navigate, run (or walk) and manage their time. There are 20 controls to find within a set time limit (usually 45 minutes). The controls are worth a variety of points, so there is strategy involved in deciding on the best return for time and energy before setting off. Anyone taking longer than the time limit starts losing points. On this course, the focus is on the personal challenge, making friends and learning skills. Everyone ‘wins’ by finding at least a few controls, learning and practising new skills plus having a go. Entrants are welcome to head out on their own or team up for the course.
Short Line Course: On this course, the challenge is to find all the controls marked on the map in a set order. The course will be around 3 to 3.5km. The navigation will require some thought and familiarity with basic map reading. The finer challenges of optimising route choice and the need for speed and accuracy will also keep the experienced orienteers on their toes. Orienteers are encouraged to tackle the challenge on their own but if they want to head out in a group then that is okay too.
Long Line Course: This course will offer a little more physical and mental challenge than the Short Line Course. It is generally be 4 to 5km of running.
Electronic (SPORTident) timing is used for all courses and participants. Timing cards can be purchased or hired at each event.
| EVENT TIMING |
Starts are between 9.30am and 11am. During Covid-19 we ask that participants please
reserve the first half hour of the start window for high risk and vulnerable people.
Courses close at 12pm – this means that you need to check back into the finish by midday.
| EQUIPMENT |
Come along ready for a run or walk.
Enclosed shoes are a must as you may encounter rough surfaces. Good grip will also be helpful.
Compasses may help with harder courses but are not essential. Novices wont need one for the easier courses.
All timing is electronic and a timing card will be required. These can be hired when entering online.
We also have timing (SPORTident) cards and compasses for sale should you wish to purchase your own.
| EVENT ENTRY |
Pre-enter from the event listing on this website.
If you are attending the event as a spectator or to participate in a group with a child or beginner, you must also register (no charge) via the event listing page so that we have a contact list as part of our Covid-19 management requirements.
If you have your own SPORTIdent timing card then pre-entry is $10 for orienteering club members that are primary or high school students and $12 for adult members. For non-members or anyone hiring a timing card the pre-entry fee is $15.
| SAFETY |
Urban maps with distinct boundaries are used.
Courses are set with various experience levels in mind.
All runners check in and out.
Live GPS trackers are available if pre-booked.
Parents are very welcome to accompany or “shadow” their children on courses.
Group entries are welcome too.
| EVENT RESULTS |
Recent results can be found on our event results page.
Results for the 127 SOS events as well as Bandaged Bear Boost’s prior to 2020 can be found on Orienteering NSW’s Eventor listing.
| ENQUIRIES |
| Barbara Hill Bold Horizons Mobile: 0418 270 476 Email: barbara@boldhorizons.com.au |
