SOG S5 Rivers Wood & Coaching Sat 28 March, 2026

Near: Balcombe
Level of event: Local
Type of event: Race

Results

Report

Thank you all (107+ of you) for coming today on this glorious March morn ing. A perfect day for orienteering!

I planned the courses a few weeks ago, along with the KNC course (held last February) and made several trips in February. The courses were finalised and printed at that time before Neil (our club print manager) departed for a long holiday. I was, therefore, a little perturbed when I spotted all the log piles as I drove in this morning and wondered what would greet me. As it turned out, none of the control sites had been decimated although there were a couple of near misses! I think the gully junction (123) was closest to becoming an issue.

I wanted to give you courses that gave you something to think about whilst giving the opportunity to do some direct running. Although the
map has quite a green tinge, you can get through most blocks of forest, and I think a lot of you attempted that. Although I was quite low profile most of the time (the start kept me busy for 90 minutes) I did hear plenty of positive comments and saw lots of small discussions happening which is always good to see!

Finally, these events wouldn’t happen without a significant number of volunteers so I would like to thank the following for their contributions: Steve and Jill for parking, permissions and armchair course checks, Joe, Penny, Mike and Samantha for SI support, Karen for risk assessment support, Neil for map and control description printing, Alan, Steve J, Garry G and Liam for control collecting and, The Balcombe Estate for allowing us into Rivers Wood.

We had the site cleared just after 1pm and left soon after. As I left and locked up, 3 Crossbills flew in, so I was able to enjoy their antics through my binoculars before heading home. A calm end to a full morning!

See you at an event soon,
Chris H

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Pre event info

Entry link

FREE COACHING before this event.

Coaching for youngest juniors (suitable for newcomers and those running Yellow courses ) will be led by Ed and assisted by Karen. Please arrive at 9:45 ready to start coaching at 10am. Do let Karen know if you wish to attend.

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: Balcombe

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

Directions / Parking

Take Balcombe Road and Borde Hill Lane north from Haywards Heath. Turn right immediately after passing under a railway bridge on a sharp bend. Parking will be 250m up this track on the left.

From Balcombe follow Haywards Heath Road 2 miles south before turning left along a farm drive. If you go under a railway bridge on a sharp bend, then you have overshot by 100m.

W3W for entrance to farm track is ‘known.waltzed.dreamers’

Post code RH16 1XS will get you close.


Public Transport

Railway station at Balcombe (3 miles)

Course Information

Blue 5.6km, Green 4.0km, Short Green 3.0km, Orange 2.4km, Yellow 1.3km.

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 (use code SOjuniors).
Non member fees: Seniors £7.50, Juniors £3.25.

If shadowing a junior or going as a family group with one map and one dibber, just enter one junior.

'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

Rivers Wood 1:5000. Surveyed and drawn by Chris Hooker Sept 2025 – Feb 2026

Terrain Description

Working woodland on a hill that leads down to fields beside the River Ouse. There is a well-defined path network. Use crossing points to pass any fences on your course

Dog restrictions

No dogs allowed.

Facilities

None

Miscellaneous

Carrying a whistle and phone is highly recommended.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Chris Hooker

Organiser:

Controller / Event Adviser: