As incoming President of North West, I firstly want to thank Nick Harris for his superb contribution to our Club over the past 3 years as our President.   Under his leadership we have continued to grow and develop as a Club – in his President’s report Nick highlights numerous achievements which clearly represent many hours spent on Club business.  Thank you Nick for all you have done for us and we wish you fun times now as you focus on your young family.

Now to me as President, my aim will to be build on the strong foundations of the North West Club; continuing the contribution made by Nick  and others before him.  

I’m surrounded by  enthusiastic ,  capable  people on the Exec and  in  the  Club  membership.  There’s a great vibe and energy within the Club  that I will work to retain. 

Looking to 2018, we have committed to running a number of events including the forest series, rogaines and JAFA at Queen's  Birthday  weekend .   I'm sure we can continue the tradition of North West providing events that are of a high standard technically and operationally and that are enjoyable.

My other priorities will be to ensure there is a present and a future in orienteering for all of us.  By this I mean ensuring we have maps, equipment and people power to run quality events.  Maps are a basic need and we need to invest in them as we also need to invest in controllers, setters, technical gurus and our Exec. And I want to consider the special needs of Juniors and  new members - they too are our future. 

My ears are ‘on’ -  I'm  always ready to receive suggestions and ideas.  If you have an idea but can't quite see how it will work please talk to us - we have enormous collective wisdom and ability within our membership to make things happen. 

I encourage you all to get involved so North West continues to be a strong, leading Club within the NZ orienteering community.

Warmest regards to you all for Christmas and the New Year.  Wishing you safe travels and happy, fun times. 

Jenny Cade
President

In this issue:

1. Club End of Year Dinner and Prizegiving Report
2. New Life Member of NWOC
3. Club Member Profiles
4. Date for your Diaries
5. Introducing Your 2018 Committee 
6. Presidents Report on 2017
7. NW Club Events Roster for 2018
8. Club Training and Presentation from Florian Schneider
9. YSPOTY Congratulations
10. Auckland Championships Results
11. Events in the New Year

NW End of Year Dinner and Prizegiving

A lovely sunny evening on Sunday 26 November saw the NW Orienteering Club coming together in Coatesville to celebrate the end of 2017 and recognise prizewinners.

Thanks to Matt and Cam for setting up a punching grid which saw some fierce competition between members to see who could accurately get the best time. Thanks also to Gene for bringing along the Virtual Sandbox and explaining how this amazing coaching tool actually works. We also enjoyed a "Blast from the Past" collection of old maps.

A huge thank you to Julia Moore for her photography on the night (and on so many other occasions) and for putting together the following montages. With Julia moving to Christchurch in the New Year, let us know if you are keen to take on the unofficial role of club photographer.

Links here to higher resolution images:

Maps photo
Sandbox photo
Dinner photo
Punching Grid photo

Congratulations to the following prizewinners:

Congratulations to New Life Member of NWOC

Congratulations to Mike Beveridge who, at the recent AGM, was granted Life Membership to NWOC. This was awarded in recognition of Mike’s input into the development and operation of schools orienteering in Auckland and New Zealand - including the AKSS sprint series, Auckland Regional Schools Teams and fostering specific schools and individuals.  Mike has also made a significant contribution to North West as a mapper and he has taken the role of Course Setter or Controller for numerous events.

Club Member Profiles

Following the prizegiving, we have profiled any winners of the special awards who have not been profiled in earlier newsletters:

Philip Elworthy

Number of years orienteering?
My first exposure to orienteering was the rogaine series in 2015 which got me hooked and I started doing the Auckland orienteering series in 2016.

How were you introduced to orienteering?
Like many others I got into orienteering through my son Henry doing orienteering at school. His interest and enjoyment of the sport led us to enter as a team into a rogaine event and from there I was hooked. Now the whole family is into it. As a forester there is nothing more humbling than being completely and utterly lost in a forest!!

Key orienteering achievements to date?
My greatest orienteering achievement to date has been competing at the World Masters Orienteering Champs 2017. It seemed like too great an opportunity to miss out on so despite my inexperience I decided to have a go as who knows when such an event will be held on our door step again. It was a fantastic experience to be a part of and amazing to meet so many people who had travelled so far to compete. The courses were technically very challenging for me which I enjoyed and I ended up getting a 3rd in the Men's 45 B final.

Current orienteering project or goal?
To keep improving and to master those key orienteering skills that can only be learned by entering as many events as possible and getting advice and tips from the vast experience and talent we are lucky to have at NWOC.

Favourite map and why?
The Rototoa map used for the Oceania 2017 Long is a great map because of the variety of terrain and vegetation. It certainly got the better of me!

Map you have yet to experience but aspire to orienteer on?
Every new map is a challenge for me so a new experience.

Orienteering hero?
At WMOC 2017 I was inspired by Carsten Joergensen who seemed to be able to effortlessly fly through all of the courses. Also a nod to Mike Beveridge who does so much for schools orienteering and as a consequence draws in so many others into this great sport.

Day job?
I am a forest engineer by training and currently work for a forestry company purchasing forests for harvest.

Other interests?
In addition to orienteering our family spends a lot of time sailing, boating and fishing - any excuse to get out onto the water in whatever craft is going.

Carmen Fookes

Number of years orienteering?
One and a half.

How were you introduced to orienteering?
Gore (where I grew up) is not renowned for its orienteers (although it does have some pretty impressive other statistics…none of which I can mention here!) so I was never exposed to it at school. In my twenties, I got talked into doing the Kaweka challenge with a Swedish girl who was a star orienteer and a gazelle. Any orienteering aspirations for myself went straight out the window after two days of long, hard slog up massive hills with her blonde head bobbing in the distance. However, the desire to do an event still stuck in my mind until last year when I heard about the Stoneybrooke rogaine through an adventure group. So I did that event and loved it so much I did the whole series and joined the club.

Key orienteering achievements to date?
A 57 minute control 7 in the middle at the Auckland champs. Lol. Gotta hand it to myself for perseverance though. But then redeemed myself with a relatively clean (for me) long the next day to take my age group..but still plenty of room for improvement. Also won a bottle of juice at each of the three NW rogaines this year.

Current orienteering project or goal?
To get within ten minutes of Marquita! And to attend one of the major Swiss events or O-Ringen in Sweden…maybe in 2019, just to have a full-on Scandinavian experience (and possibly another 57 minute control!).

Favourite map and why?
I’m not sure of the name of the map but last year I did a course in Woodhill that went through this magnificent grove of old pine trees. Kind of a not-spooky Maleficent forest. Might have been off Puketapu Rd?

Map you have yet to experience but aspire to orienteer on?
Craigieburn forest, St Arnaud (although doing the Southern O weekend there next year). I love mountains…although, possibly, I might not love mountains so much after orienteering on them!

Orienteering hero?
We have a club full of awesome people who have helped me out a lot. But I have to say I really appreciate the support and guidance Rob and Marquita have given me. They are always so generous with their time and knowledge. And I love their beautiful block of land (plus their dog's pretty cute!).

Day job?
Pharmacist…although I have not counted pills for years. Work as a medical writer for Drugs.com and The Health Media.

Other interests?
Mountain biking, tramping, windsurfing, kayaking…anything outdoors really.

Katie Ryan

Number of years orienteering?
3 years

How were you introduced to orienteering?
I was introduced to orienteering at the Dio give it a go day in year 7 at Cornwall park.

Key orienteering achievements to date?
Going to Australia with the NZ Invitational Team and getting 2nd in the U14 sprint

Current orienteering project or goal?
Going faster through the controls 

Favourite map and why?
Stoney Brook because there are lots of rocks and streams to go by and also its really big and interesting and also a map called Dhuwugarra in Australia because it was my first time on a forest map overseas and I didn’t see any snakes :)

Orienteering hero?
Alice Tilley

Day job?
I'm a Student at Dio

Other interests?
Hockey, skiing, tennis and Mountain Biking

Date for your Diaries

The first event hosted by NW in the new year is at Lake Kereta on Sunday 25 March. We have made arrangements for people to be able to camp at the Lake on the Saturday night, and we are planning to  organise a mini event/training for the Saturday afternoon. In the meantime, put the date in your diary for a weekend away camping. More details in the New Year.

NWOC Executive/Committee

At the AGM the following were elected for 2018:

President - Jenny Cade

Club Secretary - Carmen Fookes

Committee Secretary - Annemarie  Hogenbirk

Treasurer - Lisa Mead

Committee - Matt Ogden, Owen Means, Allan Janes, Kaye Griffiths, Mike Beveridge, Thomas Stolberger, Marquita Gelderman, Rob Garden, Phillippa Poole

Outgoing Presidents Report - Nick Harris

Click here to read Nick's final president's report presented at the AGM. It is great to read, not only as a review of the last year, but as a reflection on what a fantastic club culture we have at NWOC. Thank you Nick for this summary about us!

NW Events Roster for 2018

Attached is the roster for 2018. Please check carefully that what Rob has recorded is what you agreed to do! There are still a few gaps, - if you feel you could fill one of them please email Rob Garden on rgmg@xtra.co.nz

ROSTER

Club Training in Devonport

Recently a number of members met in Devonport for a sunny Friday evening training run, finishing with pizzas at the Griffiths' home. We were then treated to an inspiring presentation from visiting Swiss orienteer, Florian Schneider who shared with us his orienteering journey which has seen him win multiple JWOC medals and to be currently performing highly on the International circuit. Florian was a great speaker and provided food for thought as to what is needed to be a world class elite and I am sure many listening were blown away to hear about the training structures and supports that are in place for European orienteers. It certainly made us realise  that what Matt and others have achieved, without such a structure, is phenomenal.

College Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year Awards (YSPOTY)

Congratulations to Daniel Monckton, Sebastian Safka, Sofie Safkova and Georgina Dibble who were nominated for the 2017 Orienteering Young Sportsperson of the Year (Auckland).

Well done Sofie, for being named as the winner.

Also check out this link  (page 29) for an article in the Devonport local paper on Sofie and Seb.

Auckland Championships - November 18 & 19, Onewhero

Congratulations to the following who placed in the Auckland Champs recently. The results here are from winsplits, so reflect the actual on the day results for all competitors (including those from outside Auckland).
The Sprint results are not reported due to issues with many courses on the day.

M16A
Middle 1st Sebastian Safka, 2nd Alex Monckton, 3rd Cameron Bonar
Long 1st Sebastian Safka, 2nd Ryan Moore, 3rd Liam Stolberger

M18A
Long 2nd Mika Hill

M20A
Middle 2nd Daniel Monckton
Long 2nd Callum Hill

M21E
Middle 1st Matt Ogden, 2nd Gene Beveridge, 3rd Cameron de L’Isle
Long 1st Gene Beveridge, 2nd Matt Ogden

M21A 
Long 2nd Ben Ng-Wai Shing

M40A
Middle & Long 1st Rob Murphy

M40AS
Middle 1st Tim Longson
Long 1st Andrew de L’Isle

M45A
Middle & Long 1st Philip Elworthy

M50A 
Middle 1st Paul Ireland, 2nd Nick Monckton
Long 1st Mark Lawson

M60A
Long 1st Geoff Mead, 2nd Mike Morse
Middle 1st Mike Morse, 2nd Geoff Mead

M65A
Middle 3rd Rob Garden

M70A
Long 1st Dave Middleton
Middle 2nd Dave Middleton

M75A 
Middle & Long 2nd Chris Gelderman

W12A
Middle 1st Manon Bonar

W12B
Middle 2nd Sophie Collins

W16A
Middle 1st Cara Bradding, 3rd Sofie Safkova
Long 1st Jessica Sewell, 2nd Sofie Safkova

W18A 
Middle 3rd Tegan Knightbridge

W20A
Long 2nd Heidi Stolberger

W21A
Middle 1st Lizzie Morse, 2nd Charlotte de L’Isle
Long 2nd Lizzie Morse

W21AS
Long 2nd Charlotte de L’Isle

W21E 
Middle 1st Renee Beveridge, 2nd Lauren Holmes
Long 1st Renee Beveridge

W35A
1st Lise Turner

W40AS 
Middle 1st Julia Moore, 2nd Nicky Collins
Long 1st Kaye Griffiths

W45A
Middle 1st Carmen Fookes
Long 1st Carmen Fookes, 2nd Frances Hill

W50A
Middle 1st Marquita Gelderman, 3rd Suzanne Stolberger
Long 1st Marquita Gelderman

W50B
Middle 1st Fiona de L’Isle, 2nd Brigitta Bonar, 3rd Katie Monckton

W55A
Middle 1st Lisa Mead, 2nd Phillippa Poole
Long 2nd Lisa Mead, 3rd Phillippa Poole

W65A
Middle & Long 2nd Mary Moen

W70A
Middle 1st Lorri O’Brien
Long 2nd Lorri O’Brien

Events to look forward to in the New Year

NW Camping Trip at Lake Kereta 24/25 March

Further details in the New Year.

Southern O Week

Entries for Southern Orienteering Weekend 2018 are now open! 

The event will be based in the beautiful Nelson Lakes region. Join us for three days of fantastic orienteering on some of NZ's most unique maps. Kanuka and Manuka forest, glacially deposited boulders and orienteering that will test all your technical skills.

See our website https://sow.nz/  for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Hosted by the SOW team. We are very thankful that Nelson Orienteering Club has allowed use of their maps for this event

An Autumn Week of Otago Orienteering 21-28 April

South Island Orienteering Championships followed by Foot and MTBO events in Central Otago.

http://sic2018.dunedinorienteering.org/

Merry Christmas Everyone! See you in the New Year!