The Saturday Orienteering Series is open to everyone!
- No experience is necessary.
- It’s ideal for anyone wishing to get some exercise and immerse themselves in a mini adventure.
- Both beginners and experienced orienteers are very welcome.
- Orienteering is a great way to develop critical thinking and decision-making. It’s a body and brain workout.
- Students, mums, dads, uncles, aunts, friends, and grandparents: all ages can run or walk and enjoy the SOS.
Events are conducted for six weeks, every school term.
All events are in well bounded areas and we do our best to avoid roads.
They are ideal events for all ages and experience levels.
There are videos and photographs on our Facebook page which will give you a good idea of what to expect. There are people of all ages, runners, walkers, individuals, family groups, friendship groups, beginners, Australian reps and everything in between. There’s a huge range of participants but they all enjoy the outdoors, exercise, a bit of a mental challenge and sharing the good times together.
| EVENTS |
The SOS runs all year round. Choose to participate as a summer sport, winter sport, all year round or just occasionally. The choice is yours.
We conduct a series of 6 events in each school term, sometimes in multiple regions.
Our program is:
Term 1 – Series in northern Sydney (featuring 3D maps for a multi-level challenge) and also the Macarthur region
Term 2 – Series in northern Sydney and the Hawkesbury region
Term 3 – Series in northern Sydney and also Sydney’s Hills District
Term 4 – one Series in northern Sydney.
For event details, please check our
Bold Horizons Events page.
Entry can be made from the Bold Horizons event page or through Orienteering NSW’s Eventor program. We strongly prefer entry before midday on the Thursday preceding each event if possible.
In the current uncertain environment, we recommend checking our Bold Horizons event listing or our Bold Horizons Facebook page the evening before the event in case of late changes.
| EVENT STRUCTURE |
Newcomers are encouraged to come along and try out the sport.
All events are suitable for beginners with complimentary instruction to get newcomers started.
At each event there are also challenging courses that will test the fitness as well as quick thinking of the most experienced navigators and orienteers.
All events are on Saturday mornings in school grounds, parks and reserves.
The series is only conducted during school term time.
Generally, 4 different courses are available to choose between. These are:
Warm Up: A gentle introduction to warm up the mind and body. This course is also suitable for beginners. We recommend that newcomers start out with this course to get a feel for how things work. After doing this course, newcomers are welcome to then tackle another course on event morning on a complimentary basis.
Score Course: For this course, participants need to plan, navigate, run (or walk) and manage their time. There are 20 controls to find within a set time limit (usually 45 minutes). The controls are worth a variety of points, so there is strategy involved in deciding on the best return for time and energy before setting off. Anyone taking longer than the time limit starts losing points. On this course, the focus is on personal challenge, making friends and learning skills. Everyone ‘wins’ by finding at least a few controls, learning and practicing new skills plus having a go. Entrants are welcome to head out on their own or team up for the course.
Short Line Course: On this course, the challenge is to find all the controls marked on the map in a set order. The course will be around 3 to 3.5km. The navigation will require some thought and familiarity with basic map reading. The finer challenges of optimising route choice and the need for speed and accuracy will also keep the experienced orienteers on their toes. Orienteers are encouraged to tackle the challenge on their own but if they want to head out in a group then that is okay too.
Long Line Course: This course offers the greatest physical and mental challenge that is possible on the map. It is generally 4 to 5km of running.
Electronic (SPORTident) timing is used for all courses and participants. Timing cards can be purchased or hired at each event.
| EVENT TIMING |
Starts are between 9.30am and 11am.
Courses close at 12pm – this means that you need to check back into the finish by midday.
Depending upon whether you are running or walking, experienced or a beginner and the course you select, you can typically expect a course to take between 15 minutes and one hour to complete.
| EQUIPMENT |
Come along ready for a run or walk.
Enclosed shoes are a must. Good grip will also be helpful.
Compasses may assist with harder courses but are not essential. Novices won’t need one for the easier courses.
All timing is electronic and a timing card will be required. These can be hired when entering online.
We also have timing (SPORTident) cards and compasses for sale should you wish to purchase your own.
| EVENT ENTRY |
Pre-enter from the event listing on this website.
For family groups heading out together, only one member needs to purchase a course ticket. Other members of the group are able to register as group members for no charge. Note however that group members do not receive a timing chip or map. If you would like a personal timing chip and map then you need to purchase a ticket for a course and hire or bring your own SPORTident timing card.
Entry fees are:
| School student – orienteering club member | $10 |
| School student – non-member | $13 |
| Adult – orienteering club member | $13 |
| Adult – non-member | $16 |
| SPORTident card hire | $4 |
Student orienteering club members can also redeem an Active Kids voucher through Orienteering NSW for up to 10 free entries to SOS events.
| SAFETY |
Urban maps with distinct boundaries are used.
Courses are set with various experience levels in mind.
All runners check in and out.
Live GPS trackers are available if pre-booked.
Parents are very welcome to accompany or “shadow” their children on courses.
Group entries are welcome too.
| EVENT RESULTS |
Recent results can be found on our event results page.
Results for the 127 SOS events as well as charity Boost events prior to 2020 can be found on Orienteering NSW’s Eventor listing.
| ENQUIRIES |
| Barbara Hill Bold Horizons Mobile: 0418 270 476 Email: barbara@boldhorizons.com.au |
