Windang #Take 2

Good news!

The delights of Warilla Beach and Windang are back on the calendar again after dismal weather forced Keith to abandon the last event of our SummerGong Series.  So come along on Saturday 28 April from 2:30-3:30pm and enjoy beautiful Lake Illawarra and the coastline.

Our next local event is this Saturday at Sans Souci with starts from 3-4pm. Long, Medium & Short courses will be on offer and a mini course (600m) within the park for the littlies. Sue has proposed dinner at the Sans Souci Sailing Club on Sanoni Drive for anyone wishing to stay on. All newcomers welcome to join us.
Details: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/5487

 

Sizzling SummerGong

SummerGong 3 at Balgownie

SummerGong wrapped up its third week of competition today with some sizzling temperatures to add to the challenge.  Thankfully Simon had chosen a beautiful old fig tree as the starting point which provided ample shade for the post-run recovery.

In Week 2 it was a strong southerly sea breeze (more like cyclonic wind) that provided the environmental challenge (that, and the hunt for a parking spot around the very busy Bulli Beach).

In Week 1 everyone enjoyed exploring the Wollongong Botanic Gardens and the laid-back old -fashioned question and answer format was a novel change, not to mention the honesty system for recording your start and finish time.

30 plus people attended the first two events, with a few new faces turning up, and the free kids courses proving popular.  Today there were 21 people who came to check out the streets and reserves of Balgownie and Fairy Meadow.

For more photos of the events see our FaceBook page (photos courtesy of Salme).

Summergong concludes next week at Windang – who will take out the series?  Our own weather guru Simon is looking a strong contender in the Long course, or will it be dark horse Matt Ryan from Gerringong?  In the medium course its Kev Curby and John Hodgson who currently lead the score board. In the short course the enthusiastic Sheddon brothers are in the lead having competed in every week so far. Other enthusiastic juniors who have become regulars at IKO events are Keith’s grandchildren Cooper and Flynn.

SummerGong 1 at Wollongong Botanic Gardens

 

SummerGong 2018

Wollongong Botanic Gardens

Come and explore the Wollongong Botanic Gardens for SummerGong 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IKOs annual SummerGong Series is almost here!

This years series has been dubbed the ‘Explorer Series’ and will use a ‘treasure hunt’ question and answer format. Courses on offer are Long 6km, Medium 4km and a free Short course for kids 1-2km (under 12’s to be accompanied by an adult).

Details:

#1    Sunday 4 February, Keiraville (Botanic Gardens & Wollongong Uni) 10-11.30am https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/5483

#2    Sunday 11 February, Bulli 10-11.30am https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/5484

#3    Sunday 18 February, Balgownie 10-11.30am https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/5485

#4    Sunday 25 February, Lake Illawarra 10-11.30am https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/5486

Invite your friends, your family, and your workmates to come along and try orienteering.  Hope to see you there.

Southern Sydney Summer Series

The Southern Sydney Summer Series finished in December 2017 with IKO hosting two of the 8 events.  A big thank you to Kev Curby for organising the event at Monterey and to Margaret Duguid for the event at Rushcutter’s Bay.  32 competitors took part on the map at Monterey, a cool day but comfortable running on Kev’s well set course. Forty-one people participated on the inner eastern suburb map of Rushcutter’s Bay that had been extended to the west to take in the sights and delights of Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo and to challenge runners with the hill climb.  These 45 minute score events are well worth a try and a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Sue Froude and Nathan Ardren for coming in 1st place in their categories across the 2017 series.

Final Scores

Junior Men:  Cameron Will 4th

Veteran Men:   James Stuart 7th     David Green 10th     Philippe Donnadieu 13th

Legends Men:  Kev Curby 4th         Keith Jay 9th

Walking Men:   Nathan Ardren 1st

Super Veteran Women:  Sue Froude 1st

Legends Women:   Margaret Duguid 4th       Robin Donnadieu 5th

 

Merry Christmas!

A perfect afternoon for our last event of the year

We couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon for our last event of the year which started from the scenic Minnamurra Headland. Before and after their runs competitors could sit and enjoy the sweeping views over Jones Beach and Kiama Downs.  Thanks to Keith for setting the courses. It was a shame we had some technical hitches on the day, but most of us weren’t too worried.

It was great to see the number of kids turn up and give the mini course a go.  Philip W. took the honours for the Long Course, and Salme was quickest around the short course.

Thanks to Keith and Margaret for hosting a lovely Christmas buffet, and to everyone who came along to make the night enjoyable.

Merry Christmas !

See you at the Xmas 5 Days or in February at Summergong.