Edward Cox - 04 June 2008 05:07 PM
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The White Rose is an event everyone should try sometime in there life. If the orienteering dose not came up to expectations the banter on the camp site makes up for it.
Ed summed up the White Rose weekend experience very well. It’s as much a social and holiday occasion as it is an athletic sporty one.
A very important factor in it’s overall appeal is the camaraderie of the campsite. Typically, this may extent to group meal in a local pub or a barbecue. There’s also the opportunity to combine the weekend with a bit of sightseeing, walking (the heather clad moors are fantastic at this time of year, and the bilberries are plump, juicy and ripe for picking!) and general holiday stuff.
It’s a bit of a trek for most SO (about the same as a trip to the Lake District - 300 miles or so each way), but the orienteering and camping are very good value and a good introduction to multi-day events. Also chance to try out some different forms of orienteering with the night score event, team score, and mountain bike orienteering - see the White Rose Website for details.
If you’re able to travel a bit further, then Paul’s suggestion of the Purple Thistle event sounds quite magical, with it’s setting on a Scottish island, and low key, but top quality orienteering competition.
White Rose has a special place in the hearts of many Southdowners (was my very first multi-day and origin of my first O tee-shirt!), so any going to this years event are likely to be in good company.
