News

February 2019 News

Published Wed 06 Feb 2019

Hello and Happy New Year to you all

We’ve got some exciting things planned for 2019 starting with a NWOC member only training day, social gathering and night orienteering event on Saturday 23 February.

The night event is to entice you all into being in an NWOC team for Katoa Po, an annual interclub night relay hosted by Taupo Club. NWOC has a reputation of strong performances (and having a lot of fun) at Katoa Po and this year, with a practice event beforehand, should mean that reputation is upheld!

Starting at the end of the month, there’s a north Harbour Sprint Series. These events are linked to the Auckland Secondary School Sprint events – after the school students have run, others can have a turn too. Simply turn up on the day with $5 and enjoy the challenge of sprint orienteering around a school campus.

Read on for the details on all events below.

Looking forward to seeing you on 23 February or soon after.

Regards

Jenny Cade

North West President

In this issue:

Upcoming Events
NWOC Club Event
Katoa Po
Membership Renewal
North Harbour Sprint Series
Next order of NWOC Club Shirts
2019 Calendar of Events
Club Member Profiles
Welcome to new NWOC members
Unclaimed Trophies from 2018 Prizegiving
Successes outside Orienteering
Nearly New Shirts for Sale

Upcoming Events

23 February NWOC Training, Social and Night Event, Rob and Marquita’s place, Slater Road, South Head

28 Feb-28 March North Harbour Sprint Series - open to public - details below

3 March AOS 1 Turkey Ridge, Woodhill

17 March AOS 2 Waiuku Forest

31 March AOS 3 (and JWOC Trial) Rototoa

NWOC Club Event, 23 February, Slater Road

Come join a great opportunity for some pre-season Orienteering training in some forest and farmland terrain, followed by an optional swim, BBQ, and night event (details below). You can camp overnight if you do not want to drive back home afterwards!

Where: 45 Slater Road, South Head
When: 23rd February
Time: Afternoon Training 12-4pm, BBQ/Swim 4:30ish, Night Event 7:00pm

All the details below. Make sure you

email Renee re the afternoon training (if you are keen to either participate or be a coach)
email Trevor if you are planning on running in the night event.

Part One NWOC Training Afternoon

Time: 12-4pm
Why: Because it is vital to finally tackle anything you may struggle with in a safe and encouraging environment, and to enjoy the company of fellow NWOC members.
What to bring: LOTS of WATER and FOOD. Orienteering gear, including sport ident and control description holder if you're doing the night event.

This is a NWOC-only training day

We will be focusing on white, yellow, orange, and those who are still struggling at running red competently.

The training will focus heavily on navigation rather than physicality.
This includes:
1) Understanding contour detail
2) Simplifying the map and legs, and learning what detail is important and what is not
3) Making quick route choices on short legs (something people don't think is important, but saves a lot of time overall)
4) Learning to contour in steep terrain to not waste energy or choosing when it's best to climb/drop height
5) Looking a head where possible/visualising what you are expecting to be see
6) Having the confidence to cut corners and using strong features as back-stops and stepping stones.

Depending on numbers, we will aim to split into small groups with 1 coach to maximise coach-trainee communication so nobody's needs are ignored.

We hope that we can get a lot of coaches to help out so our trainees get the attention they deserve. We would love our experienced red orienteers to be a part in improving all our less experienced members.

If you are keen to participate or coach, please contact Renee Beveridge via email Rabeo22@hotmail.com with your name, best contact (mobile number etc), age, and your navigational level**.

**Please be honest and don't be afraid to register for an easier level than you may normally compete at. That is the only way to improve. For example, competing in red grades does not make you competent at red. Orange still has some fundamental skills you may need.

Renee will be looking through past results to ultimately choose which group you'll be training with.

Otherwise just say you're keen to coach.

Part Two: Social BBQ and Swim

BYO Meat and Salads, Chairs/Rug, Chillibin and Drinks (ie BYO everything!!) for a NWOC BBQ around Rob and Marquita’s pool
BBQ from about 4:30pm ish, once training finished.

Part Three: Night Event

As a lead up to Katoa Po, NWOC is holding a training run in the evening in conjunction with the NW Training Day and social BBQ. We’ll have a range of courses available for all levels of experience, from White to Red. Expected start times will be around 7 to 7:30pm as sunset is at 8:09pm. This is a chance to experience night orienteering, trial your torch or headlamp and perfect fence following in the dark. Some seasoned veterans will be on hand to offer advice and we suggest try running in pairs to make it a fun run!

In order to print enough maps, could you please email Trevor Carswell: trevnallie@gmail.com no later than Feb 18^th if you are keen to attend together with an indication of what course you’re likely to run; White, Yellow, Orange Red Short, Red Long.

Katoa Po 2019 (All Night Relays)

For those not familiar with this event, Katoa Po is the annual interclub night relay hosted by Taupo OC. It comprises of 7 and 5 person relay teams competing for 2 trophies, of which NWOC holds the 7person Owl trophy. (No pressure). Teams comprise of mixed ages and abilities from M/W10’s through to Elites. Every grade is valuable in making the team eligible so don’t think you have nothing to offer. We need your talent! How it works,,,,,,M10/12 & W10/12/14 start just before sunset and can be ‘shadowed’ by a parent. As darkness falls, the older grades head out into the darkness. Courses are tailored to the dark and Taupo terrain is something to be experienced with negative contours leading into the erosion gullies, beautiful flowing farmland with the odd forest thrown in for the elites. North West always leads the charge with a fun packed, team spirited night. And the best thing is, every NWOC member is invited!!!! Entry to Katoa Po is FREE to NWOC club members.

WE NEED YOU! Yes, it’s time to book Saturday March 9^th into your calendar and be part of the North West team! Dust off your best torch or headlamp. Replace the batteries. Air out the tent. Yes, there’s even free on-site camping.. And be part of a fantastic event. It would be fantastic if we could get 5 plus teams competing this year. We also need a theme. Any ideas?!

Register your interest now by emailing Trevor Carswell @ trevnallie@gmail.com. Trevor will keep you up to date as we progress closer to the Katoa Po weekend. We can even help with car pooling and assist juniors with a lift and gear (tents, etc) to the event. Any questions, don’t hesitate to email Trevor (or call 021 2429900)

Membership Renewal

You will recently have received a membership email from Lisa Mead. In case you missed it, the text is included below.

Thank you for being a member of North West Orienteering Club in 2018. We are gearing up to the new orienteering year and planning is underway for some great events. We will kick off with a member only social and training event on 23 February. Subscriptions for 2019 are now due and the club would love you to consider renewing your membership now! To those who have already paid your 2019 membership - thank you and please ignore this message.

Here are some of the reasons why you should renew:

NWOC is one of the most active clubs in New Zealand with a strong focus on promoting orienteering among young orienteers and in developing an inclusive club culture.

Membership includes members' rates for entry fees at events - not just NWOC events but also those organised by other NZ clubs.
Subsidised or free coaching and training sessions for club members of all abilities.
The club covers relay team entry fees for the Katoa Po night relays (March) and the Auckland relays.
Receive regular email newsletters with news and reviews of club activities.
Be eligible to apply for grants from the Club's Junior fund to attend Junior camp or some overseas events.
Participation in club trips, in the past we have had very popular and successful trips to Australia and within New Zealand.
To be eligible to win a title at the national championships (Easter Weekend 2019) or to represent New Zealand (e.g. JWOC / Australia & New Zealand challenges etc) you need to be a member of a orienteering club such as North West.

With our membership system we already have all your details in the membership database, and apart from your payment no further action is required. If you'd like to check your details, please logon on to our membership database (https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nwoc) and then pay your subscription. If you have any problems logging in, please contact Annemarie Hogenbirk (northwestorienteering@gmail.com).

Please direct credit the NWOC bank account: WESTPAC Account 03- 0243-0247251-000 and PLEASE include your name in the reference field (preferred method).

For more information please visit our website https://www.nwoc.org.nz/home/ or contact Annemarie or Lisa (mead10b@gmail.com)

The subs are unchanged from 2018 (and 2015/2016/2017 etc.):

$20 for juniors and unwaged
$60 for seniors ( 21 and over)
$100 Partners/ couples with no children included
$120 for family living at same address ( 2 seniors and children over 10 years at same address)
Over 65 years ( generally not working) $20 per person

North Harbour Sprint Series - open to public

These events are part of the Auckland Secondary School Sprint Series. This year rather than restricting these events to school students only, we're keen to share the fun and we invite members and friends to enjoy sprint orienteering.

Thursday 28 February - Rosmini College, 36 Dominion Street, Takapuna
Thursday 7 March – Takapuna Grammar, 210 Lake Road, Belmont
Thursday 14 March – Murrays Bay Intermediate School, 37 Sunrise Avenue, Murrays Bay
Thursday 21 March – Northcross Intermediate School, 10 Sartors Avenue, Northcross
Thursday 28 March – Northcote College, 1 Kauri Glen Road, Northcote

Times:
Start between 5pm and 6pm (after the school students have completed their runs)
Course closure at 6.30pm

Costs:
$5 for anybody participating, members of the public and orienteers alike

New Order of NWOC Club Shirts

We will be making a bulk order of NWOC technical club shirts early this year. To ensure that we order enough of the correct sizes, please email Lisa on mead10b@gmail.com and let her know if you wish to purchase a shirt and your size. Sizes from XS to at least 2XL . The shirts are made by Bryzos (formerly known as Siven brand) and the design is extremely similar to the current model (Trimtex ) shirts. These are lightweight short-sleeved shirts with short 14cm zip at neckline and mesh side panels.The estimated cost per shirt is $60.

We will have a few examples of these shirts at the club event on 23 February. Lisa Mead wear a size Womens Medium, Geoff Mead is a Unisex/Mens Large. If in doubt order a size larger.

Images of the artwork and general information about the shirt can be found below.

2019 Calendar of Events (NWOC in charge of organising)

Please find attached the 2019 calendar so you can be reminded of what you may have signed up to plan, control or co-ordinate this year.

There are a few gaps so please email Rob Garden rgmg@xtra.co.nz if you can assist.

2019 Calendar

Club Member Profiles

Continuing with profiles of the rest of the Special Award Winners from the 2018 Prizegiving.

The Monckton Family (Nick, Katie, Daniel, Alex and Rosie)

The Moncktons won the North West Shield for the Most Valuable Service to the Club have answered the questions collectively.

Number of years orienteering?
We all got started when Daniel was in Year 7 at Northcross so that would be 8 years ago.

How were you introduced to orienteering?
Through the North Shore Sprint series.

Key orienteering achievements to date?
For us all as a family just competing overseas at the Scottish 6 days was a wonderful experience, but Daniel takes the most credit for his making his first JWOC in 2018.

Current orienteering project or goal?
To do another Scottish 6 days, Daniel another JWOC, Alex make his first JWOC.

Favourite map and why?
We all love Woodhill, running in the forest and trying to understand the contours. We love going to amazing parts of new Zealand that the public wouldn’t normally get to see.

Day jobs?
We have a mixture of: students, property renovators !!, rural broadband Installer and one on an extended gap year…..

Other interests?
Sailing, skiing, camping, computer programming.

Nearly the entire family! Scotland.

Cameron Bonar

Cameron was named as Most Improved Junior Male

Number of years orienteering?
Since Year 7, 5 years and many more to come :)

How were you introduced to orienteering?
Through a teacher that said it was good fun. My first event was the Auckland sprint orienteering series and I was introduced to the club by the Monckton family.

Key orienteering achievements to date?
Going to Aussie twice and representing NZ. Doing well in nationals e.g. 2nd sprint 2018, along with earlier placings.

Current orienteering project or goal?
To make the NZ team going to Aussie, along with making JWOC.

Favourite map and why?
A classic Woodhill map - Whites Line and Slater Road. They were one of my first maps and the maps that I have run on the most. Pine forest is also my favourite terrain. Plus I have come to know Slater Road much better after staying there for a week.

Map you have yet to experience but aspire to orienteer on?
No map in particular, but I would love to run in Scandinavia where the terrain is not the same as NZ, and on a map that is very technical and different to ours.

Orienteering hero?
Tommy Hayes - Funny guy, good coach and aims high.

Day job?
Swimming/tanning. (Obviously the school holidays - Ed.)

Other interests?
Volleyball, Windsurfing, Skiing and Sleeping.

Sophie Ryan

Sophie was named Most Improved Junior Female

Number of years orienteering?
I have been orienteering for 3 years

How were you introduced to orienteering?
My sister started and I came along to some events and really enjoyed it.

Key orienteering achievements to date?
Going to Australia last year was a really amazing experience and then getting 2 placings in the middle and sprint distance.

Current orienteering project or goal?
This year I would like to get into the New Zealand schools team that competes in Australia.

Favourite map and why?
The Renmark schools map sprint at the Australian champs, I had a really good race in the sprint and to top it off ended with a 3rd equal, it also taught me that every second counts as 2nd place was 2 seconds ahead and 1st place only 9 seconds.

Day job?
I am a year 10 student at Dio

Other interests?
I love all my sports and also do rowing, running, hockey, skiing and sometimes cross fit. When I am not doing sport I like listening to music and spending time with friends.

New NWOC members

Welcome to
Modi Chen, Frank Ding and their children Daniel, Luke and Aviel Ding
Jess Wech
Brendan Grant

We look forward to seeing you in the forest or at a social event and getting to know you.

Unclaimed Trophies from Prizegiving

If you were awarded a trophy at the 2018 prizegiving but were not present to collect it, these will be available at the Training/Social Event on 23 February.