SOG S7Friston Forest East & CoachingSat 29 April, 2023

Near: East Dean
Level of event: Local
Type of event: Race

Results

Report

Well done to all for completing the first challenge of ascending the hill to the start, which was viewed by
many as ‘a good warm up’ (well… 3 people!). The hill climb was worth it as the sun came out and the forest
was fantastic. Thank you for lots of positive comments about the courses, with the forest being highly
runnable. I was pleased with the courses for my first attempt at planning a SOG, but with hindsight, would
have planned one or two legs differently: it has been a great learning process. Apologies for the final climb
on the green course, but my involvement in neuroscience had your physical and mental health in mind:
you can go safely in the knowledge that your raised heart rate helped you grow new neurons in your
hippocampi today!


Thank you for all of the support with planning a SOG from SO. There was always someone there to help.
Thank you to Andy H for pursuing permissions, Karen A for the initial risk assessment, Mike G with the
maps, Jill and Steve B for car parking and being at base camp for advice. Thank you to Jo W-S for car
parking and all in the SI tent (Joe B, Penny P, Mike R and Jane L) who are always excellent. Thank you to
Alan V Garry G, Tim B and Rob L for collecting controls. A huge thank you to Chris H, my mentor for this
SOG, who introduced me to mapping, guided my course planning, set out half of the controls and walked
the forest with me many times.


Darren.

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.

Read more about RouteGadget…

Pre event info

COACHING We will be running a free coaching session for younger and older juniors and adults. Family groups and newcomers welcome. Please meet in the car park by 9:40, ready to walk up the hill for a 10am start. If you're running a course after the coaching, then take all your stuff with you including a drink, so that you can go straight out on your course without going back to the car park. Please let Anna know if you will be attending either via Spond or Email

Due to the walk to the start, there will be a clothing dump near the start and finish for anyone to store kit in, or to meet up with family members afterwards.

SOG Series Info

SOGs are friendly club events where children and newcomers are very welcome. Yellow and Orange courses are suitable for children to run on their own with a bit of practice. Adults are welcome to shadow children until they are confident to go on their own. Green and Blue courses are run or walked by any age group - you can race competitively or just enjoy the woodland.

There are two series of events - autumn and spring of approximately 8 events each. Electronic timing (SI) is used.

Help on the day always appreciated.

Volunteer here

Enquiries here

Location Info

Nearest town: East Dean

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

Directions / Parking

What three words: pipe:pass:tester

Car parking is in a level grass field.
Preferred approach: From the A259 to the south of the area, take the road north towards Jevington. Just before you get to the village there will be a sign directing you into the field on the left.
From the A27 to the north of the area, take the road south towards Jevington. Just after the village. Go beyond Pentlands car park on the right. Entrance to parking and assembly area will be signposted and turn right into the field just after the bends and opposite Oxendean buildings.

Public Transport

Bus numbers 12, 12A, 12X on A259 at Friston. Alight opposite St. Mary the Virgin Church. Head north on the C60 towards Jevington for 1.7miles

Course Information

Yellow (1.5km), Orange (2.4km), Short Green (3.4km) Green (4.3km), Blue (6.0km).

Participants in orienteering must wear appropriate clothing including full leg cover (not shorts). This is a standard rule of the sport to minimise the transmission of blood borne parasites. Activities in cold weather or poor conditions require layered clothing with a windproof and/or waterproof shell garment.

Entry Details

Pre-entry only via Racesignup

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.

Fees:

SO/BOF Senior members £5.00 (non-members £6),

Juniors £2.50 (SO Juniors free - use discount code SOjuniors).

'Dibber' hire: Electronic punching (SI) chips are available to hire. SIAC (contactless): £2, non-SIAC (not contactless) £1. Half price for juniors. Please ensure you pick up your hired dibber before walking to the start!

Registration open

9:45 to 10:45

Start Times

From 10:00 to 11:00. There is a 700m uphill walk to the start (15-20 min). Courses close at 13:00.

Map Details

Chris Hooker Dec 2022
Scale 1:10,000

Terrain Description

Friston Forest is within the South Downs National Park between Lulington Heath National Nature Reserve and Seven Sisters Country Park. It is the largest area of recently established forest in South East England. The woodland comprises runnable beech forest crossed by rides and cycling trails.

Facilities

No facilities. Please bring your own water.

Miscellaneous

Safety Bearing: Head NE until you arrive at the start/finish.

The path from the car park and the forest are used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, please allow plenty of space when passing.

Tree felling has been occurring in the area and is marked on maps. All courses avoid this area.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Darren Warner-Swann

Organiser:

Controller: