SOG S3Abbott's Wood S + CoachingSat 29 February, 2020

Report

Results and WinSplits posted, Routegadget to be updated later.

Planner's Comments

Firstly, huge thanks to the SI team of Ralph, Les, Penny, Joe and Mike and to the other helpers on the day, Tim B, Maddie, Tim H, Einar and Dave, without whom we would be unable to run the event (I would also like to thank Penny and Jon for searching for a lost control unit). And to the 42 hardy souls who came to orienteer in Abbots Wood in challenging conditions. Judging from the comments received you seemed to enjoy it even if it was tough going!
This year we were in Abbots Wood several weeks earlier than usual and this gave me the opportunity to use areas not visited for many years. The areas near the car park are improving year on year so I was able to produce compact courses that started and finished near it and made the most of these new areas. Last year my courses were Middle in style so I thought I would return to a Classic style with a mix of legs and enough navigational challenge to keep you on your toes. Having low visibility really helps with this! As always it was a relief to see people finishing in the expected times.
The northern part of the map wasn't visited this time as it is being used for the SE Middle Championships which form a part of the Sunny Sussex Weekend in May. I hope to see you all there when we will be parking in a different area and running on the northern extension of this map.
Chris Hooker

RouteGadget

Is a web app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.

Pre event info

The orienteering event will be preceded by a training session at 10.00. Newcomers, juniors and members are invited and there will be plenty of tips and advice from our friendly bunch of coaches.

The younger juniors will practise the skills needed to take short cuts through the terrain between two line features. Abbotts Wood is a perfect area for this as we can start with very easy legs across the open area between two paths and progress to using the same skills between earth walls and gulleys in the nearby wood. Please come clothed for mud and low level brambles.

Please let Robert Lines know if you will attend. The session will end by 11.00 latest in order to leave enough time to start the orienteering event by 11.30am.

Location Info

Nearest town: Hailsham

• Postcode: BN26 6SL *
• Lat,Lng:50.84374,0.21105
• Grid Ref: TQ557072
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS 50k)
• Bing Map (OS 50k)
• OpenStreetMap

* Postcodes are not very precise in some areas, so don't rely on them for an exact location.

Directions / Parking

We will be using the main Abbots Wood car park (BN26 6SJ gets you to the Olde Oak pub which is about 0.5miles north of the car park). Pay and Display £2.30 for 2 hrs, £3.50 for 2-4 hrs and £4.50 for the day.
From Drusillas Zoo roundabout on the A27 at Berwick turn north. After about a mile take the first right (just before the level crossing). This road takes you to the Abbots Wood entrance after about 2 miles of twisty country lane!

Public Transport

Regular buses to Hailsham (3 miles). Train station at Berwick (3 miles).

Course Information

Blue 5.3km, Green 3.6km, Orange 2.1km, Yellow 1.5km. Not much climb but don't be deceived, this is a physical area to run in.

Entry Details

Pre-entry via Racesignup.co.uk Newcomers are welcome and eligible for a free trial session - if you'd like to reserve a map or discuss the event please email our membership secretary.

BOF member fees: Seniors £6.50, Juniors £3.25, SO Juniors free.
Non member fees: Seniors £7.50, Juniors £3.25.

'Dibber' hire:
Electronic punching (SI) chips are available to hire. SIAC (contactless): £2 (juniors £1), non-SIAC (not contactless) £1 (juniors £0.5)

Registration open

9:45 to 10:45

Start Times

10:00 to 11:00. Courses close at 12:30.

Map Details

Abbots Wood (South), 1:10000. Lidar based map surveyed and drawn to ISOM 2017 by Chris Hooker during Autumn/Winter 2018/19.

Terrain Description

Managed woodland with a good path and track network. Some smaller paths have not been mapped. Much of the area is light green on the map which will mean a good deal of navigation in lowish visibility. Undergrowth is variable and predominantly bramble (gaiters advised). However, there are now large areas developing that are virtually bramble free. Courses have been planned to avoid the worst of the undergrowth although runners on the blue and green courses in particular will have to weave around some patches of bramble. Blue and green courses also visit an area that has not been used for over 20 years. The area is currently very muddy so wear appropriate footware.

Dog restrictions

Yes, under control.

Facilities

Toilets in the car park. Play area. BBQ area. There may also be an ice-cream van!
Well worth staying on for a walk afterwards. Also 2 pubs and 2+ tea rooms within a mile of the car park.

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing is west. This will bring you to the road where the car park entrance is. This area is shared with the public including dog-walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. Please be courteous. In the event of poor weather cagoules may be made compulsory. In extreme weather the event may have to be cancelled in which case every attempt will be made to give as much notice as possible on the website. Access to this event has been granted by kind permission of the Forestry Commission. Access is normally restricted to public rights of way. Please respect these restrictions at all other times.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Chris Hooker

Organiser:

Controller: