Corribdale, Co Galway

Thanks to Paul Dunne for sending photos of schools training at Corribdale, Oughterard, using a new Permanent Orienteering course. Well done to Frank Ryan and Wego for organising event for local schools.

Recent SE training events

Most recent at Kennedy park

In October at Kilkenny Castle

and back in September in the rain at Kilbarry amenity park

New season begins

Before beginning the new season, a big thank you to Mary Healy  who hosted the Irish schools championships at Emo Court in County Laois in April/May 2018. Some fixtures have already been posted, others will follow shortly.

Spring school events in 5 counties

This time of the year we begin to get into the regional championships....the SE schools will take place at Kennedy Park, County Wexford on February 22nd;  and the Cork schools will follow in Tramore valley park, Cork on February 27th.
The net widens with the Munster schools at Melleray, County Waterford on March 15th and the Leinster schools at Djouce woods, County Wicklow on March 21st.

This year Leinster schools will host the Irish Secondary and Primary championships at Emo court, County Laois on the 25th April and 16th May.

Kilbarry schools training event

An interesting issue arose today at the schools training event. Some pupils thought this butterfly leg was the date today. It was also quite clear that a number of primary school children do not know their left from their right.
Anyone who missed a control in primary is put in under score event so that they can see how they did. They should of course get all the controls on the course.
Thanks once again to all the Wato club members: Nigel, Jeni, Sally, Norman, Elizabeth, Veronica, Liisa and Hugh for ensuring that the event ran smoothly at Kilbarry amenity park. Thanks to Waterford Council for preparing the access route for us. Link to results posted on the left of this blog.

Massive turnout at Kilkenny castle

Crowds getting maps

Nigel in control at start

Over 650 young people from 11 schools and 6 different counties participated in the second training event at Kilkenny castle. A huge thanks to all the members of Wato club who once again turned out in force to help things run smoothly. Thanks Hugh, Thomas K,, Brid, Liisa, Veronica, Laura, Jeni and Nigel. Thanks also to John, Matthew, Jorck and Daniel from TY at Newtown for their support.

Hugh looking after map distribution

Is this the start?

well that is where I am now on the map

Happy campers

Punching Finish

Hooray...we're finished

Butlerstown analysing runs

Could have gone this way...the Pres. girls

We did well today

Laura in charge of downlaod

Marlay marvels (not Bob)

An outstanding run from Irish international, Ruairi Long (Rockbrook Park,Rathfarnham), in the first event of the Leinster Post Primary Schools Orienteering League, 5th/6th Year Boys category, running at just over 4 mins per kilometre, saw him finish way ahead of all his rivals, whilst Ciara Simm (Castleknock CC) easily won her 2nd/3rd Year Girls category, over 6 mins clear of 2nd place Alana Maxwell & Maliya Tadjine (Castleknock CC). 

Thanks to Lindie Naughton for photos and to Mary Healy for her continuing great work with schools from the greater Dublin area (including Dundalk!)

SE training event at Kilkenny Castle

Dear teachers,please note that the last opportunity to register for the Kilkenny Castle event on October 13th is Friday 7th October. Please indicate numbers and participation before that date if you can for planning purposes.

Start times for Primary 10 to 12

Secondary 12 to 2 (unless by arrangement)

Cost €2 per head.

Courses

Short C: 1.7 km (5th class)

Short B: 1.8. km 2.2km (beginner 6th class)

Short A: 2.2 km (6th class)

Medium C: 2.5.km (1st year)

Medium B: 2.8 km (2nd years; beginner 3rd years)

Medium A; 3.1 km (3rd years)

Long C: 2.7 km (beginner post Junior Certificate)

Long B: 3.5 km (Post Junior Certificate)

Long A: 4.6 km (Post Junior Cert.)

Pupils may opt for any of the courses indicated. The C courses are more direct and less technical. A courses are for the more experienced orienteers and for individuals only.

For training purposes it is suggested that pupils stay in pairs unless they have some experience.

Those wishing to take part should send the following:

1. a spreadsheet of names (column 1 should have names e.g. John Smith and Rachel Jones; column 3 should have the school; column 4 should have the course chosen)

Limited changes will be possible on the day but the more accurate you can be, the easier it is to keep things running smoothly.

2. the contact mobile number of the person in charge on the day

3. the time that you would like to start at

Cheques should be made out to Waterford Orienteering club and may be brought on the day of the event. No cash can be collected in the Castle grounds on this occasion.

The start will be close to the main entrance of the Castle grounds.

Training at Woodstock

Well done to the over 500 young people who took part in the training event at Woodstock gardens today. Thanks to club members  Norman and Elizabeth Storey, Sally Silby, Brid Casey and Liisa Honkasaari plus Dylan Crews and Rhys Kenny from Newtown school for all their help in running today's event.
Results are posted in the results to the left of this blog.