When: Saturday 22nd January 2022. Start anytime from 10:30 to 13:30.

Where: Parc Penallta, Ystrad Mynach.

Registration will be near the top(main) car park, look for the South Wales Orienteering Club banners

Free parking, compost toilet in car park

Terrain & How Far?

This is a well used park with patches of woodland and meadow. There are lots of tracks some of which will be muddy.

This event is perfect for children of all ages to enjoy a 'treasure hunt' in the Park, you can take part as a group and be as competitive as you wish. The event format is a point to point challenge. You will be given a map with checkpoints marked. You need to visit them in number order. There will be four courses on offer;

Yellow - easy beginners (about 2.5km, mainly on the path network or big features)

Orange - intermediate / beginner adults (about 3.5km, mainly on or just off the path network)

Green - moderate (about 4.5km, off the path network)

Blue - hard (about 6km, some difficult terrain)

Courses Close at 14:30

Entries

You must pre-enter. Entries will be open until Friday or when full.

This is a “Winter of Wellbeing” event, entry is free of charge for competitors under the age of 25 thanks to funding secured through the Outdoor Partnership. Juniors under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult but there is no need to complete a separate adult entry.

If you are over 25 there is a fee of £5 payable at registration on the day.

Adults accompanying juniors do not need to enter/pay

More information

https://swoc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-01-22-Parc-Penallta-Event-info.pdf

COVID code of conduct.

It is vital that all attendees at the event:

 Act as ambassadors for the sport of orienteering at all times and consider

how their actions may appear in the eyes of landowners or members of

the public.

 Observe social distancing at all times, including keeping their distance

from other participants, volunteers and members of the public. 

 Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who is living in a household with someone who has a possible or confirmed COVID-19 infection, should remain at home.

FAQ

What is orienteering?

Orienteering is an exciting adventure sport suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Participants have to navigate their way between a series of checkpoints (called controls) shown on the map. There’s no set route, you find your own way using the map.

Will there be an orienteering course for me?

Almost certainly. Most events have several courses of different length and difficulty graded by colour. Some events use the equally beginner friendly ‘score’ format, where you choose the controls to visit in the time limit.

What do I do at an event?

• Find the event registration area and look for the large SWOC club banner.
• You will be given a map and electronic timing stick (called a dibber).
• Start. Controls are marked with an orange-and-white flag. ‘Dib’ your timing chip at each checkpoint to record your visit.
• At the finish your time is recorded. For events with electronic timing, you get a ‘splits’ printout of your times between controls.

• After you finish club members will be happy to debrief you: discussing your route choices, help you with mistakes you may have made on course, queries about the map, etc.

Can children do orienteering?

Yes. Younger children often start the sport in family groups or are followed by a parent/guardian. Junior courses are planned to avoid hazards and are traffic free. There is no minimum age for orienteering! However from experience children need to be around 8 years old before they use the map to find checkpoints. This is unique to each child, younger children still enjoy finding the flags with more support from a grownup. All under 16’s will need to be accompanied to the event by a responsible guardian.

What equipment do I need?

If you intend to run you’ll need running clothes and trainers that you don’t mind getting muddy.

Don’t you get lost all the time?

No. Everyone gets lost sometimes, but you work out where you are sooner or later. Orienteering controls are closely spaced, so you can always retrace your steps to the previous control. After a few events you’ll spend less time making mistakes and can progress to more challenging courses.

Do you have to be able to run for hours?

No. Courses come in a variety of lengths and navigational difficulty. Participants can walk, jog or run, can treat the event as a competition or as a leisure activity.

Can I run in a pair or in a group?

Yes. If you are an adult accompanying a child you do not need to enter yourself.