Chris & Yett Gelderman

Profiled September 2019

This time we are profiling Chris and Yett Gelderman - known to many club members as "volunteers extraordinaire" - they are always willing helpers at most events! Read on to find out if they got Marquita into the sport or if it was the other way around!

Number of years orienteering?
Around 36 years, from 1983

How were you introduced to orienteering?
Marquita had already been introduced to orienteering, and she wanted to borrow the car most Sundays. A few months later, Michael Wood ran an event in the Rimutaka Forest Park, next door to where we lived. We decided to go and have a look to see what it was all about. After doing two courses that day we were hooked!

Key orienteering achievements to date?
Three gold medals at the World Masters MTBO champs in Portugal in 2015 for Yett.
No such achievement for Chris, but being able to represent New Zealand overseas in MTBO has been pretty special.

Current orienteering project or goal?
To find all controls within a reasonable time, don't DNF, and in the case of MTBO, don't fall off!

Orienteering hero?
There are two orienteers in our lives who keep us on our toes! Gentle reminders such as "USE YOUR COMPASS" and exclamations like “OH DAD!!" or "MUM!!!" are driven by their unfaltering dedication and enthusiasm.

Day job?
Keeping our macadamia trees strong, healthy and happy. And growing nuts!

Other interests?
Cycling. Combine it with orienteering and it becomes MTBO. Combine it with a holiday and it becomes an adventure.

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