Orienteering Training Weekend in Cork

[yoda]

Hi Guys

If anyone is interested, there is an orienteering training weekend being held by Cork Orienteering Club (corko.net/index.shtml) this weekend in Gougane Barra (www.gouganebarra.com/).


"CorkO will be holding our successful 'Introduction to Off the Paths Orienteering' Event on Saturday 11th September in Guagane Barra.
All Levels of Orienteer will be catered for from Beginners onwards. New people especially welcome.

Come along learn a few more orienteering techniques and map symbols in scenic surroundings.

After a successful event in glorious sunshine last year we're going back to beautiful Guagán Barra source of the river LEE and just ONE hours drive from Cork City.

Lunch and tea and coffee will be provided in what is a very sociable day out. Cost is €15 for adults and €8 for children (covering food, maps etc). This will be subsidised for members of Cork Orienteering Club.

Plan for the day is:

10.15:- meet in Cronins cafe for tea/coffee and scones
11-13:- practice map techniques with our enthusiastic coaches
13-14:- lunch
14-15.30 - more practice
15.30 -16.30 a short course to practice what you've learned

CorkO are staging their first event in our Cork League in Guagán Barra the following day, so you can come back and show off your improved orienteering.

Please email me if you plan to attend so we can organise lunches and coaches. Accomodation has also been arranged in Tír na spuideoga for people who'd like to stay over. There's a limited number of places so please reply asap (dinner & bed will
cost around €30)".

There are two other people heading from Limerick on Saturday morning to this event so there are 3 car spaces available if anyone is interested. Reply to this post of ulo at orienteering dot ie if interested. I highly recommend it. Unfortunately I am not sure just yet if I will be able to attend Sat's training, but I will be there for the event on Sunday. People can choose to attend one day or both days. It's well worth a visit to this part of the country and the weather looks good enough for the weekend.

Any questions on this event or orienteering, just drop a line

[yoda]

For those interested in attending Sunday's event:

There will be 4 courses available:

BLUE: A long technical course: 5.5km, 17 controls, 220m climb
GREEN: A short technical course: 3.9km, 13 controls, 185m climb
ORANGE: just off the paths: 2.8km, 13 controls, 75m climb
YELLOW: Aimed at beginners: 1.9km, 9 controls, 40m climb

It is highly recommended that newcomers to the sport opt for yellow or orange. However, there will be plenty of coaches available on the day so be sure and ask them for advice. that's what they are there for!!

Registration/Start Times between 11:00 - 13:00.

Terrain Description (brief):
The area around the start/finish contains a dense network of paths with forest of varying runnability. This area is also generally level. The forest to the south of the start/finish is steep in places but with good visibility. The two technical courses will visit the open mountain which has good runnability but with intricate rock and contour detail. Course distances have been adjusted to take into account the physical nature of the terrain.

Prices: Senior e7; Junior, Student, over-65 e4; Family e16; Groups by request.

From Ballingeary, travel 8km on the R584 to Gougane crossroads, take a right and travel past the Oratory and Gougane Barra lake. From Bantry take the N71 to Ballylickey, turn right & travel 25km to Gougane crossroads, take a left, travel past the lake and Oratory to the park. Orienteering signs from Gougane crossroads (white signs with red writing and arrows or orange and white flags).

Please note that Gougane Barra Forest Park is managed by Coillte and that they have an automated entry barrier to the park with a separate entrance fee of 5e per car. Ensure you have coins to get through it and carpool if it is convenient!