Munster champions 2015

Well done to all those who competed at the Munster Club Championships at Kilworth on 13th December. 
Munster champions:
Aislinn Callery (W12)
Jordan Pim (W14)
Nuala Callery (W35)
Hugh Whelan M10
Jeni Pim (W21s)
Brigid Coffey (3rd place W21s)

Castlecomer league event 22/11/15

An Intenational flavour was evident at the Castlecomer event with Germany, Latvia and Portugal all represented. A big thank you to John Casey and Thomas Callery who stepped in at the last moment to put out and recover controls when the planner was taken ill during the week. Thank you to the registration team of Elizabeth and Angela, Julien on download and Norman on starts. Good work all.

Scouts should note that they are really welcome at all events but it would be  a better experience for all concerned if they listen to advice at the start. Those on the start have a better idea of the suitability of courses. They can however only advise. We would ask leaders in general to be more proactive in making sure that scouts take easier courses, more suited to their capability. The length of course is irrelevant but the level of technicality is paramount. It is not acceptable to have scouts taking three hours on a light green course when they should have taken an hour on an orange course.

Thank you to the observant orienteer from the now defunct BVOC who pointed out that the symbol for significant/single tree used did not differentiate between broad leaved and coniferous in the control descriptions.

The single tree symbol in column 4  needs additional information in column 5 as to whether deciduous or coniferous when using ocad. I had never noticed this before.

Castlecomer event

On Sunday November 22nd there will be a regular league event (both Southeast league and Munster league!!). 
Courses will start between 11 and 1.
There will be a full range of courses on offer.
 
Brown 8.1km; 140 m climb, 27 controls
Blue 6.9km; 125m climb, 22 controls
Green 5.6km; 100m climb, 20 controls
Light green 4.5km; 80 m climb, 16 controls
Orange (red) 2.9km; 10 controls
Yellow (buggy friendly) 2.1km; 8 controls
Brown to light green courses will visit the quarry area.

Parking at the old brickworks quarry.

Woodstock wanders

A huge thanks to all our club members who helped with the schools event at Woodstock with over 500 entrants. A full report and results can be found on the schools blog: www.irishschoolso.blogspot.com
A huge thanks to Jana, Julien, Norman and Elizabeth who helped at the club event with 120 turning out..
Thanks to Debbie for co-ordinating the big cub scout presence and to Laoise and Rebecca for the DUO contingent

Woodstock events in October

The next venue for orienteering in the southeast is Woodstock gardens in County Kilkenny. Follow signs for the gardens from Inistioge.
First it is the turn of the schools as training takes place on Thursday 15th October.  Almost 500 have signed up for what promises to be a great day.
On Sunday 18th October there is a family day with three courses on offer and starts between 11 and 1.
Long course: 7.6 km, 23 controls; Medium course 4.2 km, 18 controls; short course 2.2 km, 10 controls.

Successful September events at WIT

On September 17th, Wato organised a training event for schools at the WIT sports campus at Carriganore. This was the first time the pitch area was used. Thank you to all the helpers: Sally, Norman, Elizabeth, Laura, Brid, Liisa and TY students from Newtown.
Almost 400 took part from Fenor NS, Christchurch NS, Newtown JS, St John of Gods, Ursuline, Colaiste cois Suire and Newtown.
Thanks to Norman for the pix.

The South east league event on 20th September was well attended by cubs and scouts with over 100 entrants. Ella Murphy and Sarah Heery from St Pauls scouts were the first home on the short course. Thomas Callery edged out Jonathan Pim and Jerry Sullivan on the long course. Liisa Honkasaari came home ahead of Bridget Coffey and Kyle Sullivan on the medium course.

Doneraile event

Please support our neighbours in Cork O and Jim Callnan in particular with the annual memorial event at Doneraile park.

Our next Wato event is at Carriganore WIT campus on 20th September with start times between 11 and 1. 

If you are involved with schools, there is a schools training event at the sports campus on 17th September. Check out the IOSG blog

Summer series

Pat and Eoin starting at Woodstock

The summer series ended up in Kennedy park at the end of heritage week. Whilst not originally planned, it proved successful with good numbers making it worthwhile. Thank you to all those who helped at each of the events. It cannot happen without you.

Is the medium really that long?

...those young upstarts,JC

A number of our juniors joined with those from BOC and others for training with Josh O'Sullivan Hourihan on the Tramore dunes.

Is that all of the map?

running corridors

group photo in Tramore

well what route did you take?

well deserved lunch with J and A

Heritage week event at Kennedy Park

Waterford Orienteers will host their annual event at Kennedy Park, Co. Wexford as part of Heritage week this Sunday 30th August.
Thanks to the OPW for once again allowing us to use their splendid grounds.

The regular event starts between 11 and 1. Controls will be taken in at 2.30
Long course 6.2km, 23 controls
Medium course 4.1km, 18 controls
Short course 2.4km, 10 controls.

There are lots of events happening at the park this Sunday including a craft fair, dancing display, a barbecue (starts at 1.30, you pay for what you eat), a talk on industrial heritage at 3 and a vintage car rally (which starts in New Ross at 12.30 but ends up in the top field for viewing in the early afternoon). The cafe will also be open.
I suggest that you come as early as possible to get a parking space.


Nigel has posted that there is a €5 voucher for the car ferry in this week's Waterford Mail if you are taking the Passage to Ballyhack route to avoid New Ross

The AGM of the Irish schools will take place from 2.30 to 3.30. This is an open meeting and anybody is welcome to attend. If you cannot attend but have suggestions please email the development officer development@orienteering.ie before the meeting. Thank you to those who have already made suggestions.

Summer events

Club members from Wato have been competing abroad in Scotland, Romania, Finland and Norway.
Well done to all concerned. No pictures yet?

Closer to home, the first of  a series of introductory events have taken place at Kilkenny Castle. This event was organised in conjunction with Linda from AIB in aid of MS Ireland. A big turn out raised over 500€ for the worthy cause.




As part of the Woodstock Summer Fridays, we are hosting a club event with short, medium and Long (relatively) courses. Starts between 5 and 7. All are welcome.

On the 30th August we head to Kennedy Arboretum, Co. Wexford as part of Heritage week with the normal start times from 11 until 1.

Tramore league event

The final event of the season before the summer break took place at Tramore last Sunday. A huge thanks to John Casey (planner), Andrew Pim, Liisa Honkasaari and Laura Cox for all their hard work in ensuring the event went ahead. Full results are posted on the IOA website.

Wato club had 2 relay teams at the Irish Championships in Lisburn over the bank holiday weekend.

 Best club results in the sprint were Jeni Pim (W40) winner and Andrew Cox (2nd Irish home in M55, 11 secs behind the winner)

Tramore event

The final SE league and mid season Munster league 6 orienteering event takes place at Tramore sand dunes on Sunday 17th May. 
Start times between 11 and 1 at  S 594 010
 
Course lengths
Brown course: 6.8 km, 20 controls
Blue course: 5.8 km, 17 controls
Green course: 4.4 km, 16 controls
Light green course: 3.6 km, 14 controls
Red/Orange course: 3.0 km, 12 controls
Yellow course: 1.7 km, 8 controls

Tickancor event cancelled

Dear friends,
the event due to be held at Tickancor on March 15th has been cancelled. The prime reason is that there has been extensive felling and vegetation change which requires additional mapping over the Easter break. It was felt that it was better to make those changes before using the map again. BOC are holding an event at Glenbower, the wood behind the Thatch pub in Killeagh next Sunday so if you are looking for a run, I can advise this event.
Advance warning that the Munster league event down for Coumshingaun on April 12th will now be in the Kilsheelan/Tickancor area with a revised map. Coumshingaun is not available as we plan to run one of the days of the Irish Championships in May 2016 on a new map of this area.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
There is a cub scout event at Woodstock on 21st March. If any club members want a run, there will be a medium length course available between 1.30 and 3 when the cubs are finished. I will post more details shortly.

North Wexford event

Waterford club members are asked to support the Fingal event on Sunday February 22nd run by FINGAL orienteers. This will be great practice for anyone planning to go to the Scottish 6 days during the summer.

This Event is part of both the Leinster League and SE league. It will be in Cahore in County Wexford, not Castlemorris as originally planned.
Courses are suitable for all levels of experience and fitness. All are welcome.
Course Details are as follows

Course	Length	Controls
Brown	10.8K	30
Blue	8.4K	25
Green	5.5K	16
Red	5.3K	13
Light Green	3.5K	11
Orange	3.5K	12
Yellow	2.0K	9

Starts from 11.00 until 13.00, courses close at 15.00
Directions - take the M/N 11 north towards Gorey. Take exit 23, then follow the R742 towards Courtown. Coming into Courtown take a right turn signposted for Riverchapel. Follow the R742 through Ballygarret, then take a left turn sigposted for Old Bawn about 1 Kilometer past Ballygarret.
Cahore South Beach is open sand dunes, the location of the 2013 Leinster Championships

Colligan woods results

Emma making Gran proud

Full results for the league event held at Colligan wood last Sunday are posted on the IOA website and the Wato blog.
The jury met to consider the misplacement of one control but agreed not to change the results. Any volunteers to remap the offending area of the map where Coillte have recently been felling alongside?
Andrew Pim held off the challenge of Agris Kraminis from CorkO on the Blue course. Jim Callnan got the better of Liisa Honkasaari on a competitive green course. Ciara Silby took the light green courses. Ben Schneiders pipped Kyle Sullivan and Emma Pim on the red  course which featured 18 W/M 12 to M/W 14s. Zane Kramina won the yellow course.

Last call for anyone interested in the exciting weekend of orienteering next weekend.
Saturday 7th February at 11.30: relay on the Curragh ( an easy trip up the motorway) on great runnable terrain. Run for your college (alumni) or as an ad hoc team. Any individuals who wish to take part should contact me and I will make up teams on the day of the event. Different length legs for different standards. Full details on the DUO blog duo40thanniversary.blogspot.ie

Sunday 8th February: Leinster league event at Djouce mountain with full range of colour coded courses. Usual starts between 11 and 1.

Anyone involved in schools, please note the following dates for any schools in the Southeast. Check out the schools blog for full details. Entries are due asap.
Primary Championships at Kennedy park on 12th February
Secondary championships at Kennedy Park on 26th February.

Sue Pim R.I.P

Our thoughts are with the family of Sue Pim, long time member of the Waterford Orienteering club who passed away after illness earlier today. Her memorial service will take place on February 21st.

Change of date

Please note that due to a clash with the annual Colligan run this Sunday, the SE league orienteering event  will now take place on 1st February at Colligan woods.

SE league event at Colligan Woods

The next round of the SE league takes place at Colligan woods, Dungarvan, County Waterford on Sunday 18th January. Starts between the usual times 11 and 1. Anyone bringing a group should indicate in advance to ensure enough maps.Shorter courses will use the western side of Greenane whilst the longer courses will also use the Ballyconnery side.