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.
Events are conducted for six weeks, every school term.
Our northern Sydney series runs in all four school terms.
In terms 2 and 3 we also run a second series centred in The Hills District.
In 2019, we are also introducing a Macarthur District series centred on Camden during term 1.
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
Please check this web page, our Bold Horizons Facebook page or Orienteering NSW’s event listing in the week leading up to the event for assembly details.
| WINTER 2019 (TERMS 2 AND 3) | ||
| NORTHSIDE | HILLS DISTRICT | |
| 4/5/2019 | Balgowlah (meet at North Harbour Reserve) |
Baulkham Hills (Crestwood Public School) |
| 11/5/2019 | St Ives (meet at St Ives Park Public School) |
Castle Hill (Samuel Gilbert Public School) |
| 18/5/19 | Break for NSW State League weekend near Cowra | |
| 25/5/2019 | Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, St Ives Chase (meet by the junction of Warrimoo Ave and Timbarra Rd) |
Kenthurst (The Hills Grammar School, enter via gate 1 on Kenthurst Rd) |
| 1/6/2019 | Lindfield (meet at Lindfield Scout Hall, 17 Slade Ave, Lindfield) |
Carlingford (James Ruse Agricultural High School) |
| 8/6/19 | Break for NSW State League weekend in Southern Highlands | |
| 15/6/2019 | Ingleside (Ingleside Scout Camp) |
Castle Hill (Castle Hill High School) |
| 22/6/2019 | Term finale: Cherrybrook Technology High School (combined Northside and Hills District event) | |
| 27/7/2019 | Duffys Forest (Xmas in July at The Christmas Tree Farm) |
Baulkham Hills (Baulkham Hills High School and TAFE) |
| 3/8/19 | Break for NSW State League weekend in Hunter Valley | |
| 10/8/2019 | Chatswood (Beauchamp Park) |
Balcombe Heights |
| 17/08/2019 | St Ives | Northmead |
| 24/8/2019 | St Ives (St Ives Showground) |
Venue TBC |
| 31/8/2019 | Thornleigh | Bella Vista |
| 7-8/9/19 | NSW SCHOOL ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS | |
| 14/9/2019 | Term finale: Lane Cove (meet at Blackman Park, Lane Cove) (combined Northside and Hills District event) | |
Term 4 – The Northside Series will culminate with our major charity event for the year, The Bandaged Bear Boost.
EVENT STRUCTURE
Newcomers are encouraged to come along and try out the sport by attending any of the events.
Many students make it either their summer or winter sport and attend every week, students are also able 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.
At most events, 3 different courses are available to choose between. These are:
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 some skills. Everyone ‘wins’ by finding at least a few controls, learning new skills and 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 is not too difficult for newcomers, however the finer challenges of optimising route choice and the need for speed and accuracy keeps the experienced orienteers on their toes. Orienteers are encouraged to tackle the challenge on their own but if they want to head out with friends or family then that is okay too.
Long Line Course: This course is similar to the Short Line Course but will generally be 4 to 5km long.
Electronic (SportIdent) timing is used for all courses and participants. Timing sticks can be purchased or hired at each event. They can also be purchased through ONSW partner AussieOGear.
The series is conducted in association with Bold Horizons partner, Orienteering NSW and Sydney orienteering clubs.
EVENT TIMING
Registration is from 9am and starts are any time between 9.30am and 11am.
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.
All timing is electronic and a timing stick will be required. These can be hired at the event.
We have timing (SPORTident) sticks as well as compasses for sale at events should you wish to purchase your own.
EVENT ENTRY
Entry is at the event.
If you are bringing along a group of more than 5 we ask that you please let us know in advance so that we can be sure to look after you. The best contact is Barbara – email on barbara@boldhorizons.com.au or call on 0418 270 476.
Entry cost is $10 for orienteering club members with their own SPORTIdent timing sticks or $15 for non-members hiring sticks. Cash or cards are accepted.
Passes can also be purchased online at discounted rates.
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.
Parents are very welcome to accompany or “shadow” their children on courses.
Group entries are welcome too.
ENQUIRIES
| Barbara Hill Bold Horizons Mobile: 0418 270 476 Email: barbara@boldhorizons.com.au |
PAST EVENTS
Check out where some of our past events have been.
Future series are expected to be similarly structured.
Event localities will differ for variety and challenge but areas and styles of maps are likely to be similar.
| Term 1, 2019 | ||
| SOS – Northside | SOS – Macarthur | |
| 02/02/2019 | North Sydney Boys High School | |
| 09/02/2019 | Turramurra High School | |
| 16/02/2019 | Normanhurst Boys Public School | |
| 23/02/2019 | Pennant Hills High School | Bringelly Public School |
| 02/03/2019 | Killarney Heights High School | Mawarra Public School |
| 09/03/2019 | Northern Beaches Secondary – Cromer Campus | Narellan Vale Public School |
| 16/03/2019 | Camden South Public School | |
| 23/03/2019 | WSU Campbelltown (parking is best in P2, enter via Goldsmith Dr) |
| Term 4, 2018 | |
| 20/10/2018 | Wahroonga – Knox Grammar Preparatory School |
| 27/10/2018 | West Pymble – Bicentennial Park |
| 03/11/2018 | St Leonards – Northern Sydney TAFE, St Leonard’s campus |
| 10/11/2018 | Waverton – Waverton Park |
| 17/11/2018 | Chatswood – Chatswood High School |
| 24/11/2018 | Wahroonga – Knox Grammar Senior Campus |
| WINTER 2018 (TERMS 2 AND 3) | ||
| NORTHSIDE | HILLS DISTRICT | |
| 5/5/2018 | Turramurra (Twin Creeks Reserve) |
Castle Hill (Castle Hill High School) |
| 19/5/2018 | Bobbin Head (Ku-ring-gai Chase National park) |
Castle Hill (Samuel Gilbert Public School) |
| 26/5/2018 | Palm Beach (North Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club) |
Baulkham Hills (Baulkham Hills High School) |
| 2/6/2018 | Lindfield (1st Lindfield Scout Hall) |
Rydalmere (UWS Parramatta South Campus) |
| 16/6/2018 | St Ives (St Ives Wildflower Gardens) |
Baulkham Hills (Crestwood Public School) |
| 23/6/2018 | Term finale: Cumberland State Forest (meet by the Visitor’s Centre and stay on afterwards for a bbq) |
|
| 28/7/2018 | Ryde (East Ryde Scout Hall) |
Pennant Hills High School |
| 4/8/2018 | Lane Cove National Park | North Rocks Public School |
| 11/08/2018 | French’s Forest Scout Hall | Castle Hill Heritage Park |
| 25/8/2018 | Manly Dam | Uni of Western Sydney – Nirimba Campus |
| 8/9/2018 | Blackman Park, Lane Cove | Castle Hill (Eric Mobbs Reserve/Bidjigal Reserve) |
| 15/9/2018 | Term finale: Willoughby Leisure Centre | |
| SUMMER 2017/18 | |
| 14/10/2017 | Chatswood High School |
| 21/10/2017 | Killara High School |
| 28/10/2017 | St Ives High School and St Ives Public School |
| 04/11/2017 | Robert Pymble Park, Pymble |
| 11/11/2017 | Normanhurst Boys High School (with indoor options to mix things up a bit 🙂 ) |
| 18/11/2017 | Knox Grammar Senior Campus |
| 19/11/2017 | Bandaged Bear BOOST at Pymble Ladies’ College |
| 03/02/2018 | North Sydney Boys High School |
| 10/02/2018 | Killarney Heights High School |
| 17/02/2018 | Northern Beaches Secondary – Cromer Campus |
| 24/02/2018 | Mona Vale Public School |
| 03/03/2018 | Mimosa Public School/Davidson High School |
| 10/03/2018 | Duffy’s Forest with an end of season swim and BBQ. |
