Bulletins
Bulletins
NAOC2010 – Really Important Stuff - Bulletin #4
460 plus registered – June 17th
Only two weeks to go…
•Parking Space is limited at all events. You must carpool. In particular, for the Middle and Long events, cars with less than 4 people will be held at a carpool area until they can take extra passengers so it’s best to arrive with a full car. Parking fee on those 2 days will be $5 per car.
•For the July 2 Middle and July 3 Long events - allow 2.0 hours from Cranbrook and 2.5 hours from Kimberley. It may be close to town but the road in is slow, you must carpool and then there is a 2.5 km walk to the start. Relax and enjoy the view, a nice warm up and a snack on site.
•The Model event has been extended by one day. Supervised Model event times are: June 30: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, July 1: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. If you arrive on June 30th, go to the model event that day as July 1 will be busy. On July 1 you must take the free shuttle bus from the main parking area. Please carpool to this area, as well. Your model map will be in your registration package.
•Note: All events are close enough to either Kimberley or Cranbrook that you could bike to an venues.
•Registration Centre: College of the Rockies Residence Building - 2400 College Way, Cranbrook. Open June 30th: 1:30 - 8:00 pm and July 1st 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, then at the Canada Day BBQ 5:30 - 7:00 pm. At events go to Information / Registration table in the Arena area.
•. All terrain around the registration center is the competition area for the Sprint and is strictly embargoed! Please note: You may only go between your car, in the parking lot, to the residence / registration building.
•Start Times – you must get to the start ON TIME as there will be no changes. Arrive late and sorry, you start late. I would move this up near the top
•Runners bib: you must wear your bib on your chest while competing at all events. You’ll find your bib in your registration package.
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•The Arena Area: All events have been designed to enhance both your participating and viewing experience. After your race, cheer on the World Ranking Event and North American Regional Championship orienteers. Live announcing, loop controls viewable from the arena, and radio controls add to the action.
•Cheer on Canada and the USA as they compete for the Bjorn Kjellstrom Trophy, won by Canada the last 14 times. Is this the year the USA makes a comeback? Stay tuned!
•As per COF rules, all orienteers Must Carry a Whistle
•Heat & Water - It can get hot - upwards of 30 - 35 degrees. Be prepared. If you are a walker, or slow orienteer we'd suggest carrying water with you. There will be water at the start, finish and on courses.
•This is a holiday long weekend in the USA and Canada. Allow at least one hour crossing the border due to long lines. Also, you lose an hour driving from Spokane, as there is a time-zone change.
•Support our volunteers, sponsors and supporters. They've supported orienteering and that's been a huge help. Let them know you appreciate it. Many volunteers have never been to an orienteering event. We want them back in the future.
•Did I mention carpooling!!! Your challenge “How to Stuff 500 people into 125 cars”.
•Thomass Event - The handicap grid is now on-line. If you didn’t register but are interested in a free run, contact us, as we’d like a few pre-runners. It is going to be a truly fun event. info@naoc2010.com
•Toilets are located on the way to the start.
•Awards – we are hoping everyone will join us for the awards ceremonies. In particular, the Middle and Long awards will be held at 5:00 pm on July 3, prior to the banquet, so everyone is welcome. All top 3 Middle and Long finishers, in addition to their award, will receive a complimentary photo from Frida Viklund Photography.
•Sprint: Bring extra shoes for the sprint – no cleats
Extra Events: In addition to the O Mazing Race, Rafting Trip and A Run in the Wild presentation, there will be a guided hike of the Kimberley Nature Park (one of the largest urban parks in Canada), by Pam Chenery, who knows the park as well as anyone. July 2nd: 3:30 pm – Higgins Street entrance. Thinking about the rafting trip? We’d recommend signing-up soon to guarantee a spot.
•Competitor’s Handbook will be available on the web as of June 21st.
•Directions - a directions page will be added to the website by June 21st
•Elite competitors at Middle event (M21E and W21E): You are not allowed to go beyond the Middle arena. The route to the non-WRE start is out of bounds to WRE competitors. If you have young children participating in the younger age classes, you must arrange for someone else to take them to their start, and shadow them if needed.
•Child Minding: If you are interested and feel you would use a child minding service, for a small fee, then we’d like to hear from you soon. If there is enough interest then we will look at adding this.
So much to remember, so little time…We are looking forward to your arrival.
Have a safe and pleasant journey,
Jim Webster
NAOC Bonus Events Bulletin
June 6, 2010
Hi to all NAOC2010 Registrants,
It is now just three weeks until the start of the North American Orienteering Festival and US Champs, the lead-up events to NAOC2010. If you have not registered for the US Championships, they are only a short 4 hour drive from Cranbrook and the NAOC events. Also, don't forget Barebones, at Whistler and Vancouver, the following weekend.
From this point forward you can watch the website for regular updates www.naoc2010.com. The course details: length and climb, Thomass handicap table, etc will be available in a technical bulletin, later this week. We hope to have the full event program available in pdf by June 21st.
There are a couple of bonus activities taking place during the NAOC program.
June 30 - Kimberley O Mazing Race Registration 5:30 pm, Walking Start 6:00 pm, Running Start 6:30 pm
As many of you are arriving on June 30th or earlier, we thought we'd add a Street O event, in Kimberley. Entry is by donation to support Canada and US Junior Teams plus the local Arts Council who are helping organize the event. It will be a great way to learn about the town. After the event there are 5 or 6 good places to eat, within walking distance. Please register in advance, but no payment is necessary at this time. This event is being co-hosted by the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce with prizes from La Lune de Chocolat...local chocolate maker.
July 2 - White Water Rafting Trip 2:00 pm
The Kimberley Rafting Company is organizing a special 4 hour white water rafting trip on the St. Mary's River. Cost is a discounted $58.65 The St. Mary's runs between Kimberley and Cranbrook in a beautiful valley. The water will be fun without being terrifying...a perfect intro to rafting. Follow the link for details and pre-registration as space is limited.
July 2 - Run in the Wild - 7:30 pm
A presentation by Calgary orienteer, Nicki Rehn about her amazing 19.5 day solo, 965 km trek along the Bibbilmun Track, in Australia. It should be a great inspiration for us all, leading into the Long Event, on the 3rd,
Carpooling: Time to think about your carpooling partners. Parking is tight at most venues and carpooling is going to be essential.
Cheers and we'll see everyone soon...The sun in shining today in Kimberley,
Jim Webster
NAOC2010 Bulletin #2
April 29, 2010
US Champs Early Bird Deadline
If you'd like to get in some top class orienteering prior to the NAOC2010 and Barebones events, then you might want to consider the US Sprint / Long / Middle Championships being held just south of the border in Washington State (with almost 200 entrants to date). Register now and save as the early bird pricing ends on April 30th. Details at http://usochamps.org
You may want to check out this excellent O video of Eric Bone orienteering at the site of the Middle distance champs. Even if you won't be heading south this is an example of a top class orienteer in action. (not sure when he reads the map though).
Registration Update
With a little over 2 months to go, registration for NAOC2010 is nearing 250 entrants from 15 countries. We are expecting a further increase in entries as we get further into the orienteering season and approach the May 31st price increase. All events in the North American Orienteering Festival are reporting good registration numbers with the US Championship events in Washington State nearing 200 and SAGE and Whistler Barebones both over 120.
Special Events
We are pleased to announce that on Friday evening, July 2nd that Nicki Rehn, transplanted Australian, now orienteering out of Calgary, will be giving a presentation on her amazing 20 day solo run along the 963 km Bibbulmun Track from Perth to Albany, in Australia. Tentative Time and Location: 7:30 pm - McKim Theatre in Kimberley.
Street Trivia Event - June 30th
As many orienteers will be arriving in the region on or before June 30th we are looking at adding a bonus event to the NAOC program. This would be a 75 minute Street Trivia event using a Score Orienteering Format. This event has proven to be hugely popular with both locals and orienteers when we've held it in conjunction with our Spring Run-off Orienteering series. We've got the map and we've got the trivia, we are just trying to find a few people to take on the role of organizers for on the day registration. What for further details.. Entry would be by donation with proceeds going to a local charity.
Thomass Event:
For many of you this will be your first opportunity to participate in a Thomass event. If you've ever wondered how you'd do given the opportunity to run head to head with top orienteers, regardless of age class, then this is the event to try. All orienteers are competing together in one class. The difference is that, depending on your age class, you will be handicapped. For example, the M21E runners would need to collect all controls while someone running M55A would be able to skip 3 controls. The event has two parts: part one will consist of 10 - 15 controls. depending on your handicap you will either have to get all the controls or as few as two or three. Once this portion of the race is completed you go directly into a point to point sprint course where everyone must visit all controls in a sprint to the finish. It has a lot of the same excitement of a relay, with a mass start and final sprint to the finish line.
Parking:
Parking is going to be limited on July 1, 2 & 3. Orienteers are encouraged to carpool to the site. On July 2 & 3rd a special per car parking fee of $5 per car will be in place. (regardless of the number of people in the car). This is to help offset the cost of parking and land access costs which has arisen since the event fees were set.
Food Glorious Food
It is said, that next to running with a map, orienteers love to eat. With that in mind, we are working hard to ensure that the NAOC food service is tasty, of good value and there is a lot to eat. In addition to the Canada BBQ and Italian Feast & Awards Night, there will be full food service at all event sites. Some vegetarian options will be available.
Canada Day BBQ – July 1
Located at the base of the Kimberley Alpine Resort and just a short distance from the Thomass event The Canada Day BBQ includes:
Thomass Event Awards Ceremony, Opening Welcome, BBQ Buffet and live entertainment. Open Ceremony & Welcome at 6:00 pm;
Menu: Salads; Barbequed Chicken; Barbequed Hamburgers; Home Made Fries
Italian Feast – July 3rd
I’ve never met a person who has eaten at the Columbo Lodge that says they went away hungry. Offering home cooked food by the local Italian Club, this multi-course meal will ensure you are well carbo loaded for the next event. The event also includes the Middle & Long event Awards ceremonies plus a fun variety show comprised of orienteering talent.
Menu - Served Family Style - food platters on each table
Salad & Crusty Buns
Spaghetti & Meat Balls
Roast Chicken, Mixed Vegetable & Roast Potatoes
Ice Cream / Dessert
Coffee & Tea
Drinks from the bar: $3.00 each
Event Site Food Service
Menu:
Breakfast Sandwich
Fruit Salad & Muffins
Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Donairs, Smokies & Fresh Cut Potatoes / Fries
Fruit Smoothies and a Variety of Drinks
Local Recreational Opportunities
If anyone is interested in a game of golf with other orienteer on the afternoon of July 2nd send us an e-mail and if there is enough interested we book some T-times. Kimberley has some top class gold courses at reasonable rates (by gold standards). info@naoc2010.com
Jim Webster
Event Director
NAOC2010 Bulletin #1
March 20, 1010
Accommodation
July 1st is Canada Day, a national holiday in Canada and July 4th, is Independence Day, a national holiday in the United States. We suggest booking your accommodation early.
Our hostel accommodation at the College of the Rockies event centre is now fully booked.
Our official accommodator is the Trickle Creek Lodge, in Kimberley. They are offering a great rate for orienteers of $99 for a studio or one bedroom unit. All units have kitchens. The hotel is adjacent to the site of the July 1 Canada Day BBQ and a short distance to the Thomass event. Travel to other events will be about 30 - 40 minutes.
Cranbrook accommodation is closest to the Middle, Long, and Sprint events while Kimberley is the site of the Thomass event. Travel distance between the two cities is 20 – 25 minutes. St. Eugene Mission is located in between the two and equal time to all events.
See the website for full accommodation options and details.
North American Orienteering Festival Travel Guide
Tired of spending hours pouring over books (you‘ll need Washington and Colorado in the US and British Columbia in Canada!!) and websites when you travel? Not sure where the supermarkets are? What about the mega store to buy the socks you left on the bed at home when you packed? Sure, your GPS can give you all the driving routes, but does it include the not-to-be-missed sites along the way? Oh, and there is so much more . . .
Let us do all this planning for you. And, when you order the NAOF Travel Brochure, you will be supporting the Junior teams of two countries! Cost is only $5 and you can order simply through PayPal or contact Donna Fluegel (fluegeldonna@sbcglobal.net) for other ordering options. We will e-mail you the Brochure, so make sure you include the e-mail you want us to use.
To order, go to www.us.orienteering.org. Click on ONA in the left column. Scroll down to NAOF Travel Brochure. And, while you're there, click on Junior Donations to help the kids out even more!
River Rafting
Interested in a guided 3 hour rafting trip on the scenic St. Mary’s River, on July 2nd, after the middle event? (not white water but more than a float) $50 per person, based on 8 - 10 people per raft. More people, more rafts! Email: info@naoc2010.com to reserve. You can also visit Kimberley Raft Company for other options on their regularly scheduled trips.
Supporters
We very pleased to be able to announce that Kimberley City Bakery has joined us as a major event sponsor. Located in downtown Kimberley, be sure to stop in and try some of the delicious pastries or European breads and pretzels. Thanks to Bruno for his continued support of orienteering.
The Kimberley Aquatic Centre has just confirmed that they will selling shower passes to orienteers 4 for the price of 3. These are normally $3.15 per shower. Also, all orienteers will get a discount coupon giving them a swim at the aquatic centre for only $2.00. The shower passes will should be popular with those camping at the Camp Stone group campsite. They will also be popular with those of us who have to spend anytime with the campers.
Media
NAOC2010 has been getting excellent exposure in the local media. Thanks to Lars Hjermstad. of Norway, for the great photos. They really grabbed the attention of people in the community.