After all the months of uncertainty about gathering limits and social distancing, once it became possible to hold minor events with COVID-plans in place, suddenly there was a glimmer of hope that the club relays and SA Championships events might be able to go ahead after all...

First, the Club Relays were hosted by the Southern Arrows at Wirra Wirra on what was admittedly a rather wet Sunday Aug 30^th, so it was really good to see approx. 65 two-person teams compete on Simon Uppill’s complex courses, with some tight finishes between teams, in a beautiful arena alongside the redgum-lined creek. 

The calculations for the winning club have now been finalised; the algorithm takes into account results achieved by the clubs in all categories, but also the percentage of the club’s members who competed on the day, so in this scenario, little can in fact beat big - and Yalanga won for the second year in a row:

1st           YA          46.58 points     

2nd        TT           31.32 points

3rd         TJ            25.42 points

4th         OH          17.47 points

5th         WA         13.05 points

Two weeks later and in much better weather, the SA Long Orienteering Championships were held by Wallaringa Orienteers on Sunday Sept 13^th     in Kinchina Conservation Park with the 1999 Narrinyeri Hills map having been  re-done by Adrian Uppill using LiDAR flown by Aerometrex.   

Courses planned by Jenny Casanova (supported by part time controller Andrew Kenendy - who had to wait to get out of quarantine to do the final field check) utilised the eastern escarpment with many trickssy rockses, and attempted to minimise traverses of the rather-green regrowth area from 2005 bushfires. The first controls were in numerous different directions from the start, leading to some interesting routes (not necessarily route choices) and the final control on many courses offered expansive  views out over Murray Bridge and the surrounding plains. 

It is not known how many competitors also attended the model event on Saturday, but some of those who hadn’t, were overheard to wish afterwards that they had done so...

Organisers Frank Tomas and Peter Kreminski would like to thank the 135 (!) people who entered, for making this event a success – and for those of you who didn’t collect your placegetters’ certificate on the day, see Jenny at one of the Flinders Ranges events on the October long weekend!

Orienteering events restarted on Sunday June 14th and are continuing with COVID restrictions in place.

To run these events according to the current restrictions we are asking everyone to follow the general guidelines below, and those that are advised with the event information.

These events will follow the OSA Sport Reboot Plan and other specific Event Guidelines to enable events to be managed according to the various social distancing and other government guidelines (Department of Health, Office of Recreation and Sport)

Events will be until advised otherwise:

• Be pre-entry only through Eventor
• Be pre-pay only when you enter

These processes avoid a registration process and payment at events.

All those entering and attending events are asked to

• Read all the event information in Eventor before entering
• Not attend an event if you have any symptoms that may be indicative of a respiratory virus such as COVID-19, or are subject to any current self-isolation requirements
• At the event, read all event information and follow instructions in this information
• You will be responsible for your personal belongings including car keys
• Advise the event registration of your arrival.
• Come and do your course, and then leave. If you want to socialize then get together with your friends away from the event area.

Upcoming events are listed in the Event Calendar.

Also if you cannot or do not want to attend organized events, other options to orienteer in your own time are:

• DIY Permanent Courses
• DIY Mobile Courses with MapRundF

The 2020 SA Schools Championships was held at Thorndon Park on Friday 28 August, postponed from the original date in May (and we all know why). It was a fabulous day, with great weather, and many enthusiastic students, although with lower numbers than previous years as schools were cramming many postponed sporting events into Term 3!

All results are available here – Overall and Splits

And all; courses can be reviewed here in Route Gadget

The points in the schools trophies were as follows:

Primary Schools - Williams Trophy - 

1) Goodwood PS with 65 points
2) Hawthorndene PS with 26 points 
3) Stirling East PS with 23 points 

Secondary Schools - Wale trophy-

1) Heathfield HS with 45 points
2) Trinity College with 14 points
3) Marryatville HS with 12 points.

Congratulations to all the participants. 

Thank you to all the teachers / responsible adults who helped with school entries for this  2020 SA Schools Orienteering Championships.   In particular

Zita – Organiser - Time for a short rest ????
Course Planners - Clive and Marion Arthur - Superheroes !  Attention to detail!
Controller - Robin Uppill - In spite of being very busy, found time!
Special consultant - Ken Thompson - Can't help himself!
Finish Computer -  Al Sankauskas and Trevor Diment - To the rescue. Appreciated!
Starts - Craig Colwell and his team  - Award for best set up design.
Finish - Erica Diment and her team - How good was this finish!
Pink Hat Brigade - Clive and the 8 amazing PINK HAT PEOPLE - They got to enjoy the sunshine!
Fi - Fairy  Woman Extraordinaire - When you want a job done well!
Jeffa - Best to handle the sob stories.
Rego - Handled the hoards well.
Pungangga Pavilion - Keren - Friendly undercover efficiency.
Peter  - Our first COVID marshal - Great outfit!    
Barry / Des - Early to start -   last to finish!
Evalin – Collating entries, This adds to your CV.    

In these troubling COVID times, Zita as organsier would like to THANK all the TEAM that contributed towards the SA Schools Orienteering Champs 2020 to make it such a successful event.