Although the events on Ramsley Moor had to be cancelled last weekend there was still some orienteering over the weekend. Despite the snowy conditions, 46 people attended the training in Ecclesall Woods on Saturday ranging in age from 5 to 50.
This is the second in the current series aimed at juniors and beginner/improver adults. The first session at Endcliffe park enabled the coaches to introduce some new skills in a familiar and easy environment and this week those new skills were put into practice in the more challenging terrain of Ecclesall Woods.
The participants were split into 4 groups led by coaches Jacky Dakin, Pauline Wilson, Pauline Tryner and Colin Best.
One of the loops for Group 1
Pauline T took group 1, many of whom run the white course at our Saturday event either on their own or with a parent. They have been learning to orientate and thumb their maps, use handrails (line features on the map, such as streams and fences) and identify the different maps symbols. This week they did a map walk, star relay and short loops that let them practise legs with 1 - 2 decision points.
Pauline W had group 2, aimed at those doing yellow and perhaps starting to do orange in the Saturday events. They have been focusing so far on using handrails to find controls located close to, but not on, the handrail and are beginning to use a compass to orientate their maps.
Jacky took group 3, which is aimed at those running orange, long orange, light green etc. both at the Saturday events and our other events. Jacky has been focusing on compass work, one of the key skills to progressing to the next technical level. At Ecclesall this meant using the compass to orientate the map and then progressing to taking and running on a bearing.
Colin took the Adults, who are a mix of parents of some of the juniors and others who have joined the club recently. From talking to Colin afterwards it seems like he threw them in at the deep end with compass bearings, pacing, attack points, fine navigation from point to point and rough bearings to aim off!
The next session will be at 1pm in Bingham Park on Saturday 14th February. If you have not previously attended, you are very welcome to join us. Please