FURTHER INFORMATION

There's still something about the printed word, isn't there? The Wellington Orienteering Association publishes a monthly magazine called "Punch", which contains results and coming event information, plus news from each of the clubs. The May 2002 issue included event details to the end of June, what was news 10 years ago, sections contributed by each club ("HVOC Gains National Titles, Broken Leg"), a review of the nationals from an area point of view, a story about the Eastbourne Rogaine, and results from several events including a route choice/split time comparison from the last OY. The editor welcomes contributions on your orienteering experiences - preferably in electronic form sent to the email address given in the magazine.

A national magazine called "New Zealand Orienteering" is published four times a year covering the broader orienteering scene. With a high standard of layout and photos on glossy paper, this is well worth the optional subscription. The May 2002 issue included coverage of the national championships including discussion of route choices; the trials and tribulations of the accommodation at the Tekapo Military Camp; annual awards for excellence made by the federation; the interesting limestone geology of the NZ relay area; news about the emerging disciplines of MTB-orienteering and rogaining; who's doing well in the secondary school orienteering scene; a nutrition article; a permanent orienteering course in Christchurch; and a story about the night relays in Taupo by HVOC's own Katie Scott!

The old "telephone tree" for rapid dissemination of news has now turned into an email list operated by the secretary. This is used, appropriately we hope, for reminders and any changes which need to be published between monthly magazines. And the club website "front page" has new "news" a couple of times a week, well worth putting in your favourites and checking each time you connect.

The Training Officer can provide three sorts of help:

Indoor sessions which complement your event experience, e.g.
- Beginner - been a few times, would like some tips
- Intermediate - been going for a while, wold like to improve navigation
- Advanced - orienteering is OK but would like to go faster
- Course-planning - how to provide challenging courses which are fair to all competitors
- Map-making - in conjunction with the Mapping Coordinator. Often a practical session which results in a finished map of a small area
Outdoor sessions with instruction and exercises to practice certain skills. Sometimes these will be courses at an ordinary event, sometimes a special "training day".
Access to Area and National training. There are sometimes area training days, and there's a Regional Squad for juniors. There are also national training camps for juniors 13-16, another for older juniors, and a national squad for the country's best.

If you are serious about competition or organisation, you need a copy of the NZOF Rules. These describe how big a control flag has to be, how long the courses should be for major events, whether you're allowed to carry a GPS, and such like. You'll find them in the Technical Section of the NZOF website, along with the calendar of major events. If you want to know the "rules" about you own club, take a look at the constitution.

As you can tell by now, this "handbook" information assumes you know what orienteering is, and gives information particular to HVOC. If you would like more information on orienteering as a sport or recreation, you can't do better than to pick up a copy of "Welcome to Orienteering", free from the desk at an event. Or check out the books that the MAPsport Shop has for sale. The Lower and Upper Hutt libraries each have a selection of a dozen or so books on orienteering. Finally, the Training Officer has a small club library of books.

BACK to "About the Club"