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Results from Sun 27 AprHoughton Forest

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Planner's Comments: Houghton is not the easiest of SO's areas in which to plan. Nowadays, much of the area is a much darker shade of green than most Orienteers appreciate, but with careful planning it is possible to funnel the technical courses around the blo…

Southdowners reap rewards at JK2025 Festival of Orienteering over Easter

Relay Handover

The Easter bank holiday weekend is always the time for the JK International Festival of Orienteering. This year it took place in South Yorkshire and many club members took part. Our notable results at the Sprints were Roger Maher M85 Silver, Emma Chapman W14 Bronze and Mark Johnson M10 Bronze. For the overall two day competition Roger Maher M85 Gold and Emma Chapman W14 Bronze. James Curtis showed great skill in the Trail-O and claimed top spot in the juniors. For the relays the Men's Short team won silver and the Women's short team got bronze.

Mon 28 AprRead more…

SO triumph at UK's first civilian Biathlon Orienteering competition

Biathlon Medals

SO members won five medals at the Biathlon Orienteering competition held at JK2025 in Sheffield over Easter. Anna Chapman won Gold and Jane Lambert won silver in W50+. Peter Chapman won silver in M50+. Ben Chapman won bronze in M16- and Emma Chapman won bronze in W16-. The Competition is a mix of orienteering and electronic rifle target shooting.

Mon 28 AprRead more…

Sign up for SO Junior Camp 28-29 June

13 Food

The SO Junior Squad are running a junior camp from 12noon on 28th June to 3pm on 29th June. It will take place at the private woodland at Knowlands and all SO junior members are welcome to take part from younger to older.

It's an opportunity to take part in some great training exercises, mini competitions, fun games, camp fires, tasty food and camping. It’s also a great place to get to know friends and have a bit of fun.

Check out details and photos of the last camp we did here https://www.southdowns-oriente...

Fri 28 MarRead more…

Summer Trail Runs 2025

Trail Running

Summer trail runs return on Thursday April 3rd. Courses have been risk assessed according to this document

We will meet as a group at 6:30pm each Thursday although we hope to make the activities available online to attempt at your leisure. Courses will be saved in the Trail Runs folder on MapRun (UK/Sussex/Trail Runs).

Please sign up using the Strawpoll and indicate (when appropriate) whether you would like a map provided (cost £1) or are happy to print off your own.

Thu 27 MarRead more…

Junior Team compete at YBT Heat

Ybt Team

Brilliant team spirit today by our junior team at the South East heat of the Yvette Baker Trophy. It took place at Knole Park near Sevenoaks on 24th March 25. Results can be found here

Our juniors came second to HH, but, due to their result in the top 5 in last year's final, SO secured their place in this year's final which will take place on 6 July at Capite Wood, on home territory. Juniors aged 10 to 18 - please put your name down to run in the final. We really need more older juniors to take part. It will be a fun occasion as we'll be hosting the other junior teams from across the country. Contact Anna or Will for more details.


Wed 26 MarRead more…

British Middle Distance Championship success

Emily Runin

SO Club members didn't have to travel far to take part in the British Middle Championships on 15th March 2025. Held in dry and sunny, but cold weather at Holmbush and Buchan Country Park, near Crawley.

Huge congratulations to our three medal winners:
Roger: Gold M85
Emma: Silver W14
Ruth: Silver W80

A massive "well done" to all SO competitors for navigating their way around the rhododendrons.

Results can be found here

Read on for more photos.

Wed 19 MarRead more…

Success at Southern Champs in Wiltshire

M85

Congratulations to our Southern Champion Roger Maher M80. Six other members also had great runs and made it onto the podium to receive a jar of local honey! Congratulations to Maddie 2nd W20E, Julia 2nd W55, Jill 2nd W65, Jasmine 2nd W70, Emma 3rd W14.

SO members were greeted by beautiful sunshine and warm weather in Wiltshire where the Southern Championships were taking place. Sarum Orienteering Club organised the event at Great Ridge Forest on 9th March 2025. Full results here

Read on for more photos.

Wed 19 MarRead more…

Volunteers

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Volunteers are the heart of our club. Every event is run by volunteer club members and all are encouraged to get involved. It's a great way to learn new skills and get to know your fellow Southdowners a little better.

Our Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for finding Planners, Organisers and Controllers for events. The Event Planners usually find their own volunteers for the 'on the day’ tasks such as car parking, newcomer assistance and control collecting, however, the Volunteer Coordinator will also help find volunteers for these positions if required. In addition to this our SI team, responsible for registration and download, is always keen to train up new helpers and the Volunteer Coordintor will happily put you in touch with them.