Southampton Orienteering Club

SOC have won the Guest Team in the BAOC MLS Wednesday league for the 4th year running. Many congratulations to all SOC runners who take part in the league, those who attend will tell you how good it is for competition and fitness training, not to mention the social aspects...the only problem being that it clashes with most peoples work time!

I attended the prize giving ceremony and were presented with 4 trophies for the top Guest Team. The top 4 SOC counting runners are: 

Sam Massey

Philip Eeles

Jack Hutchinson

Robin Smith

Its with great sadness that I have to announce my retirement from competitive Orienteering. Ive been advised on medical grounds to defer from running/impact/high flexion activities. I have arthritis in both of my hips and will likely need both hips replaced at some point. In order to defer the operations as much as possible (as is advisable given the expansiveness of some hip operations), I am heeding the advice and switching to more sedate activities. Although the decision is the most logical one, its impact upon me and my lifestyle are huge.

Southampton Orienteering Clubs Summer Series kicks off a series of eight local events with the first event heralding a long awaited return to Stoke Park. See the Summer Series page for more information. Heres the Stoke Park event details - Simon would appreciate any offers of help!

Please download, print and display the flyers attached to the Summer Series page in your workplace/gym/dentist waiting room.

Congratulations to the following members who won the SCOA Championships at the recent Star Posts event:

Dave Currie M21 Tamsin Moran  W16

Sam Massey M35 Jane Morgan W40

Peter Smith M45 Gill Tomlinson W60

If theres anyone that still wishes to enter the relays for either the JK or British Championships. Please check the following

article and get in touch with Jane asap:

http://www.southampton-orienteers.org.uk/content/jk-and-british-relays

Its time to start looking ahead to the multi-day Orienteering Season. You'll find many opportunities for Orienteering in many different countries over the year ahead. Theres a full list in the current CompassSport magazine, but heres a few to think about whilst you consider your holiday planning.

Feb 20th: Southern Championships, Forest of Dean - 3 hours drive, Long and Middle distance races 

April 2nd: JK,  Devon - 3 Hours drive, great location, with Braunton/Croyde making an obvious accommodation option, surfing and beaches on your doorstep.

Due to lack of available parking in the vicinity of the courses, the prices of the Mole Valley Regional event on Sunday January 17th are a little more than normal due to Bus costs. Sizeable discounts are available for early entry, so get your entry in early if you intend to run.

BOF and MV members: Up to 10 January: Seniors £12.50; Juniors/Students £7.50.

From 11 January: Seniors £15.00; Juniors/Students £10.00

Non BOF Members: Up to 10 January: Seniors £14.50; Juniors/Students £7.50

Its that time of the year when British Orienteering National and Regional memberships (incorporating membership of SOC) are becoming due. This is most easily accomplished (if no changes are required) by renewing online at the British Orienteering website (link at top of page).

1st December Club Night at Wide Lane 1930 - 2130

As a follow on to last months presentation on putting on a Local event, there will be a presentation on planning White, Yellow and Orange courses.

An explanation of the Rules and guidelines, tips on planning and a chance for Club members to try their hand at planning their own courses. As usual there will be time for general discussion, opportunity to mull over recent events (bring along your event maps), arrange travel to events or just socialize.

Jes Dickin is looking for helpers for the Colour Coded event at QECP on 13th December. It is a SCOA League event with a full range of courses (old C4 / District event) so we will need helpers for car parking, registration, results etc etc. Usual shift pattern so everybody gets a run.

The Start List for the November Classic is now available.

Start list by Course/Time

Start list by Course/Name

Final Details (doc)

Kevin has now emailed/posted the latest version of SOCK to all SOC members. These are also all archived on the website, see http://www.southampton-orienteers.org.uk/document/2009-socks for the current years newsletters.

SOCKs back to 2003 are also available to view online.

To save monetary and time costs, if you'd rather be emailed SOCK, or read it here online rather than via the post, please contact Kevin. Click Committee->Kevin Bracher->Contact to send him a note through this site.

JIRC 2009 Prize GivingOne of the most important events in the year for the juniors is the Junior Inter Regional Orienteering Championships, which were held in Northern Ireland this year. The South Central Region (SCOA) sent a team of 18 to the event, which included three from SOC, Tim Morgan, Jamie Hicks and Tamsin Moran.

Simon has confirmed that everything is in place for his event on 17th October and he has courses suitable for beginners and experience Orienteers alike. Ive not run at Avon Tyrrell, but expect a mix of parkland and woodland.

http://www.southampton-orienteers.org.uk/event/2009/10/17/avon-tyrrell-local-event

The prize-giving was postponed from the Dibden event. It will now take place at the Swinley BKO Event on Sunday 27th September.

Ken has highlighted the following notable SOC results:

White             P Dickin(2nd)     S Costley (=3rd)