| Date | Newsletter |
| 2025-01 | Newsletter January 2025 |
| 2025 | |
| 2024-11 | Newsletter November 2024 |
| 2024-10 | Newsletter October 2024 |
| 2024-09 | Newsletter September 2024 |
| 2024-02 | Newsletter February 2024 |
| 2024 | |
| 2023-11 | Newsletter November 2023 |
| 2023-10 | Newsletter October 2023 |
| 2023-09 | Newsletter September 2023 |
| 2023-08 | Newsletter August 2023 |
| 2023-07 | Newsletter July 2023 |
| 2023-06 | Newsletter June 2023 |
| 2023-05 | Newsletter May 2023 |
| 2023-04 | Newsletter April 2023 |
| 2023-03 | Newsletter March 2023 |
| 2023-02 | Newsletter February 2023 |
| 2023 | |
| 2022-12 | Newsletter December 2022 |
| 2022-11 | Newsletter November 2022 |
| 2022-10 | Newsletter October 2022 |
| 2022-09 | Newsletter September 2022 |
| 2022-08 | Email NOC Mayor Relief Fund August 2022 |
| 2022-08 | Newsletter August 2022 |
| 2022-06 | Email NOC June 2022 |
| 2022 | |
| 1998-08 | Top of the South Newsletter - August 1998 |
| 1998 |
Most recent newsletter - January 2025
From the president
Kia ora, welcome to 2025! I hope everyone had a restful summer break.
As most of us return to work, a group of Nelson orienteers have already attended a major event ‘out of town’ in the lower North Island with training days leading up to the Oceania Orienteering Championship. Several of our members raced exceptionally well - congratulations! You can read all about it in this newsletter.
2025 Committee
If you missed the AGM late last year, there are a couple of pieces of important information that were announced regarding entry fees and membership prices. These changes are covered in more detail furthe ron.
The Committee for 2025 is:
| President | Richard Dunn | president.nc@gmail.com |
| Treasurer | Jan Jager | noc.treasurer@gmail.com |
| Secretary | Katie Malthus | noc.secretary@gmail.com |
| Events | Georgia Whitla | |
| Training | Scott Smith | |
| Members | Fleur Murray | |
| Richard Clarkson |
Goals
The new Committee has met and set a number of goals. First and foremost is the set-up and behind-the-scenes organisation of a regular calendar of challenging events, which is at the heart of our club. To achieve this, we rely heavily on NOC members volunteering to help out, with many hands making light work. Here’s the beauty: you do not have to be a guru and be able to set intricate courses. There are many other tasks like setting up the event centre, packing down, collecting controls and timing. So, when you know you are going to an event, please let Georgia know you’re able to volunteer!
Another goal this year is to organise, update and especially combine adjoining maps, creating more options for creative courses. Maps are the club’s biggest asset, so maintaining and optimising is very important. Lastly, membership fees for 2025 are now due.
I look forward to seeing you on one of the upcoming Wednesday evenings of the Summer Sprint Series,
Richard Dunn
2025 Events Calendar
Nelson Orienteering Club is planning a navigation-filled events calendar for 2025. The latest, most up-to-date information can always be found on our website.
New in 2025 is the requirement to pre-register and pay online, with the deadline a few days before the event, closing at 10pm. We will ‘phase-out’ the option of ‘registration-on-the-day’ by charging a flat, more expensive on-the-day entry fee, and only allowing entry on the day if there are maps available. We fully realise this will take a few of our regular participants a little bit of time to adjust, so the first couple of events will have a limited number of additional maps available…
If you haven’t already done so, you can register for the ‘Upcoming Events’ newsletter via the front page of the website (for members and non-members alike), which will be e-mailed several days before the pre-registration deadline for each event. In addition, the dedicated NOC Facebook page will be featuring a reminder two days before the event’s pre-registration deadline.
Life Membership - Michael Croxford
Michael Croxford was awarded a Life Membership by the Nelson Orienteering Club for his huge contribution to the club in terms of organising events, work on the committee, level of expertise, his map- knowledge and passion for seeing orienteering grow in the region.
“I'd like to congratulate Michael. He has been a great help and source of support for us for many years. I've valued his attention to detail and explaining the nuances of course setting, mapping and event management. Most of our 'big' events were only possible with Michael's input and support. You're a legend! Nga mihi nui.”
Mondo Kopua (MOC)
He is probably best known for his massive support for junior / school orienteering and the creation of maps for many regional and national events. He was also the visionary behind the creation of a national event in Golden Bay, finally eventuating in the 2024 Golden Bay's King's Birthday Weekend, with the stunning newly mapped Kaihoka Lakes area.
A well deserved award!
The Waveney Bolwell Family Participation trophy
Relative ‘new’ NOC members Annemarie Hogenbirk & Jan Jager were awarded the Waveney Bolwell Family Participation trophy for their contribution to NOC in the past two years. Annemarie has been event director for four very successful, high profile South Island / National events in the last couple of years, ably assisted by Jan with his ICT expertise. Jan is also our current Treasurer.
Membership fees
Membership fees were confirmed by the AGM and remain the same as 2024. The only change is the new discount from 1 August, 8 months into the membership year. Invoices have been issued for 2025. If you have not received your invoice and you were a paying member last year, please check your spam inbox. When paying, please use the unique MRcode on your invoice. If you are renewing for the first time in a few years, your membership will have been archived. Please just email Richard Dunn and an invoice can be issued. This makes it easier to track payments.
All payments need to go to the NOC NBS account (03-1354-0601318-00, Nelson Orienteering Club Incor) as the club’s old Westpac account no longer exists.
New members
New members are always welcome! The best place to start is by clicking this link on the NOC website and then following the instructions. If you are joining a family, each member needs to join separately on Revolutionise. Then please email the club with all the names of the family, including nominating the “Primary Adult” and you will be linked together in the ‘background’ of the database.
NOC Club shirts
Club shirt orders will be happening soon! Singlets and t-shirts 'Speed' (1/4 zip and mesh on the sides) or 'Casual' (no mesh nor zip). Let me know what your preference is. This will help order the right sizes of each. Ngā mihi, Fleur Murray.
Event fees
At the AGM the membership adopted the new fee structure. This brings our fees in line with other clubs around the country and reflects the cost of running events in different locations. We are re-establishing the fee structure that is similar to pre-Covid conditions.
| Competitor type | OY | Forest event | SSS / NOCturnal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club member | |||
| Senior | $15 | $10 | $5 |
| Junior | $10 | $5 | $5 |
| Family 1) | $40 | $25 | $15 |
| Non-club member | |||
| Senior | $25 | $15 | $10 |
| Junior | $15 | $10 | $5 |
| Family 1) | $60 | $40 | $25 |
| SportIdent (SI) hire | $3 | $3 | $3 |
1) The maximum fee payable for the whole family to compete
Only pre-registration in 2025!
From 2025 onwards, participants at events run by Nelson Orienteering Club need to pre-register online for each event.
This helps the event organisers to run all events smoothly:
· No queues at Registration during the event: participants only need to pick up their hired SportIdent, in case they do not have their own;
· Minimal crew needed at Registration during the event;
· There are enough maps printed for all participants, and no maps go to waste.
Oceania 2025 - Sprint
Orienteering Wellington's hosting of the Oceania Orienteering Championships began with the Sprint in perfect conditions with a picturesque fast-paced course at Massey University campus, suiting Nelson's dynamic contingent of young athletes. Those Nelsonians eying future JWOC and New Zealand team representation showed their impressive skills with their ability to choose (at pace!) between possible route-choices and the need to avoid technical out-of-bounds zones, pushing them hard. The amphitheatre shaped arena at the finish supported a humming atmosphere and was quickly charged by runner after runner trying to knock down the previous best performances. Among the results, many of our experienced current and former club members enjoyed individual and team successes, as they navigated between buildings tall and small, around lakes and through rose gardens.
Jon Linyard
Podium places - Sprint
M18A - Leo Croxford (3rd)
M21E - Matt Ogden (2nd)
M50A - Darren Ashmore (2nd)
M90A - Ian Holden (1st)
Oceania 2025 - Middle
The Middle at Oceania 2025 was a great example of not choosing championship level terrain and therefore making it all but impossible to have a course which could meet the requirements of an enjoyable middle distance (for me). I found it especially frustrating given the obvious opportunity to host the middle and relay at the same venue on world class terrain. Personally, the middle was a low point in an otherwise fantastic weekend of orienteering.
It did start well though...the terrain in the beginning was demanding and the first control caught a lot of people out. Diagonally up a slope, onto a vague plateau, I was enthused by the challenge ahead. To the second control I drifted to the right and incorrectly identified the large hill system. I figured out what had happened quickly but lost 40 seconds.
After a promising start, the poor choice of terrain for a middle distance became evident. Run straight, pick off one or two features along the way, always having a strong hand rail or clear attack point. There simply was not the technical challenge for this to be the Oceania Middle and as a result it became a drag race from the third control to the finish. Perhaps the course could have had more controls and changes of direction to at least disrupt the orienteers speed and flow, but in my opinion the mistake had already been made in the choice of map. Full course available here on Livelox.
Thank you to the organisers who put on an otherwise awesome weekend of orienteering. The Long and Relay especially were very well done.
Matt Ogden
Podium places - Middle
W18A - Lani Murray (3rd)
M20E - Eddie Swain (2nd)
M21E - Zefa Fa'avae (1st)
M50A - Darren Ashmore (2nd)
M90A - Ian Holden (1st)
Oceania 2025 - Long
Another 'holiday' opportunity was presented to me late last year in the form of a week of orienteering in the Manawatu; also known as the Oceania Orienteering Championship, held January 2025. These orienteering holidays with my son are usually a welcome mix of socializing, chilling in a beach-side cabin, post-event analysis with route-choice-laughter (usually at mine) and invariably driving to a somewhat remote destination that varies in beauty. With no requirement to be particularly proficient at the sport, I felt comfortable competing and even showed a slight improvement after the model maps, practice maps plus events.
The full spectrum of competitors was present, ranging from World place podium placers, European Champs to fit and capable 80+ year olds. The confusing and intricate Sprint at Massey University was followed by the subtle topography of Santoft forest for the Middle, Long & Relay.
Jane Orbell
“Orienteering on consecutive days on new maps is a sure-fire way to improve your skills while exploring more of our beautiful country.” Jane Orbell
Podium places - Long
M18A - Leo Croxford (2nd)
M20E - Eddie Swain (3rd)
M21E - Zefa Fa'avae (1st), Matt Ogden (2nd)
M40AS - Neil Murray (3rd)
M50A - Darren Ashmore (1st)
M90A - Ian Holden (1st)
W40AS - Fleur Murray (3rd)
Zefa’s wins give him automatic selection for the WOC (Middle & Long) later this year in Finland!
Orienteering - background information
What is Sprint Orienteering
The first events on the NOC calendar each year are the so called ‘Summer Sprint Series’. However, what does ‘sprint’ in this situation mean? Sprint orienteering features short, fast-paced events mostly held in an urban environment or a very ‘runnable’ park, where everything centres on fast decision making. In other words: a sprint course is designed to test your ability to interpret the map in complex environments, and to plan and carry out route choices while moving as fast as you can.
In Sprint orienteering it usually takes 12-15 minutes to complete a course if running – and a bit slower if you are walking.
For each course, the controls must be visited in the correct, set order: on the map to the right, you can see this order - from the Start to the first control (number 102), then the second control (number 105) etc. all the way to the Finish.
Navigation is not too hard at a walk or a slow jog, but is more demanding at a high speed. This is especially the case with constant changes of direction and route choice. If you run fast, then make sure it’s in the right direction! Sprint orienteering events in an urban or park environment are great for beginners in this great sport.
ISOM 2017 Symbols: From Start to Finish
| ISOM | Symbol | In words | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 701 | triangle | Start |
Starts can sometime be a walk from the registration area and this is where you pick up your map - marked with a big, green Start flag. Then, there is often a distance between when you pick up the map and the actual start of your course. From the start run to the first flag to begin your mapped course. You will find is marked is marked with a triangle on your map and it is usually the first control you see, that will have no number on it. Here is where your course starts. |
| 703 | circle | Control point |
A marked waypoint (a control) on a stand, with a orange/white flag, with a numbered control box. |
| 704 | a number | Control number | The number on a control |
| 705 | line | Course line |
The course line helps competitors see the intended sequence of controls - “as the crow flies”. Often the actual route to the next control follows a different route. |
| 706 | circle within a circle | Finish |
The designated location on the course marking the end of a race where a competitor must go to officially complete their course, usually with a red flag. |
NZ Youth Orienteering Camp 2024
The New Zealand Youth Orienteering Camp, held annually in December, is an orienteering-skills training camp for Year 5-8 students, focusing on the yellow/orange level. It differs from the official ONZ 'Junior' Training Camp for secondary school students, in that it is parent led.
The idea for a camp at this younger level was initiated a few years ago by some PAPO club parents and it has since been held in Christchurch, Rotorua and Nelson, wherever there are parents keen to run it!
The 2024 camp was organised by a combined PAPO/NOC effort, with all of the maps and training side of things organised by Darren Ashmore (NOC) and the other logistics by a few parents (PAPO). The Teapot Valley Camp near Brightwater was the perfect venue for the camp that had around 50 attendees, 33 children and the balance being parents, some who helped with coaching and many who were there to brush up on a few map and compass skills themselves.
The first day of the camp kicked off on Rabbit Island with a focus on the fundamentals of orienteering, named 'OCD' so they could be easily remembered:
· O for 'Orientate' (making sure to keep the map orientated to north 100% of the time)
· C for 'Contact' (using your thumb, or tip of the compass, to help keep contact with where you are on the map)
· D for 'Direction' (always be conscience of your direction, to ensure you are going the right way!)
The second day was spent in the mist and drizzle up at Canaan Downs with two training sessions, building on the OCD idea to include the concept of having a plan for each leg on the course and breaking each leg up to identify the specific features (think stepping stones across a river) that you expect to see along the way to each control. Training done, with everyone a little soggy and tired, so it was down the hill to find cafes for hot chocolates and wedges.
The third day was spent dodging the showers (mostly successfully) in Nelson and Richmond with some Sprint orienteering training around the various high school sprint maps. This was a good chance to stretch the legs and burn off some pent-up energy after the slower terrain and conditions the day before. A couple of 'Star Relay' races, completed in pairs, were on the menu around Fairfield Park and Nelson College for Girls and these were great fun. Also, some regular sprint courses to focus on technique around Nelson College and Waimea Schools.
Then it was back to camp for dinner, followed by a sprint orienteering race around the camp, which includes a giant wooden maze, before heading off to bed for some well-earned rest.
The fourth and final day was up to St Arnaud, and the Tee Total map for a couple of sessions in the scrub and bush. The first session looked at different ways to use the compass and when to use a 'rough' versus an 'accurate' bearing. This was followed by one final course to tie together all of the learning from the previous few days.
Overall, the camp was a great success, with lots of tired but happy children (and parents) at the end of it.
In many sports, a lot of time is spent on training and honing the skills specific for that sport, much more time than in actual competition. Orienteering is quite unique in that most of the time it is taking place in a 'event/race' situation, so there is a natural tendency to fall into race mode (at whatever pace/focus that looks like for the individual), which can in turn easily exacerbate bad habits.
There is in general a real lack of opportunity to do orienteering out of race mode, to slow right down and practice some skills and work on techniques that will actually help improve each race. Regardless of how good you are (or think you are), taking the opportunity to do some quality training or get some coaching is a great way to help you improve.
Let's be honest, we all love that feeling or reading the map and navigating perfectly into the control circle and seeing that little orange and white flag exactly where we expect it to be!
Darren Ashmore
Nelson Orienteering Club, Secretary Katie Malthus, noc.secretary@gmail.com
www.noc.org.nz
This NOC newsletter appears bi-monthly, on the last Friday of the month, starting in January
If you’d like to contribute, have photos to share, or would like to respond to an earlier edition, please get in contact
with the editor via noc.promotion@gmail.com