Sunny Sussex Weekend Event 2Sovereign Harbour, EastbourneSat 21 May, 2022

Report

Planners report: The hard work of everyone involved was justified, as we were blessed with brilliant weather all weekend.

As planner for Sovereign Harbour, I would like to give a special thank you to Sue Crickmore, Anna Chapman , Karen Ashworth and Darren Warner Swann for their help, guidance and patience, as planning an urban was a new experience for me. Also Peter Chapman Who stepped in as controller on the day.

I would also like to thank all those involved, and those who volunteered to help things run smoothly on the day.

Sovereign Harbour was a scenic and interesting area to plan, throwing up some problems which we managed to overcome, and I can’t emphasize enough the “we” as it was a team effort.

We had some really nice comments at the end of the evening so I think we can call it a success.

Coordinator's comment: We had a prizegiving at the end of evening, but there were some who were not around to pick up. The list is here. See below for photos from the day - thanks to Bea Waters for photos of the prizegiving. Thanks also to Ben and Emma for creating another great maze challenge and Jennie, Di, Jill, Peter and Emily for helping out with enquiries and the maze.

Please come back to Sunny Sussex in May 2024 when we are likely to be around the historic town of Arundel.

Anna Chapman

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

Entries now closed

A weekend of orienteering in the South Downs National Park, centred around the vibrant seaside town of Eastbourne.

FINAL DETAILS

This event is part of the Southern England Urban Orienteering League.

Sunny Sussex Prizes will be awarded for 1st place in each of the following age categories:

M/W 12, 14, 16, 18-35, 40-50, 55-60, 65-70, 75+

Location Info

Nearest town: Eastbourne

• Postcode: BN23 5QG *
• Lat,Lng:50.79630,0.32618
• Grid Ref: TQ640022
• 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

TQ 64022 02200 What 3 words wanted.grew.motion Postcode BN23 5QG

The Waterfront Car Park shares a postcode with Harbour Quay please head for the Waterfront Car Park.

The event will be signposted from the A259 Harbour Roundabout.

Take care if using a postcode on your Satnav that you don’t follow directions via the Sovereign Centre Sports Centre, along the seafront to the rear of the Sovereign Harbour Retail Park, where you will not be able to gain access to the Waterfront Car Park. Please use the directions to the Waterfront Car Park.

If approaching from the East: Take the A259 from Pevensey and head in the direction of Eastbourne along Eastbourne Road. Go through the Martello roundabout to the next roundabout, Harbour roundabout. Take the first left at Harbour roundabout (you will pass the Asda Petrol station on your right and Sovereign Harbour Retail Park will be on your right). Proceed to take the first exit to the Waterfront car park with orienteering parking on the left hand side. If approaching from the West or North: At the Langney roundabout follow the A259 in the direction of Pevensey Bay along Pevensey Bay Road. After 0.5 miles take the second exit on Harbour Roundabout (you will see Asda and Sovereign Harbour Retail park and pass the Asda petrol station on your right). Proceed to take the first exit to the Waterfront car park with orienteering parking on the left hand side.

Public Transport

Nearest train Station is Eastbourne Train Station. To catch a bus, walk towards the Seafront along Terminus Road to Cornfield Road. ‘Loop’ Stagecoach Bus : Take this bus to the Tanbridge Road stop (20 minutes/ 19 stops). At the Tanbridge Road stop, walk south west towards the Harbour Roundabout and walk towards the Quayside.

Number 99 Stagecoach bus: Take this bus to the Tanbridge Road stop (13 minutes/ 15 stops). At Tanbridge Road stop, walk south west towards the Harbour Roundabout and walk towards the Quayside.

Course Information

The courses are planned as Short Urban. You may enter any course you want to - the age groups relate to standard classes and provide eligibility for the competitions associated with the event. Newcomers welcome.

Course 1 (M/W18-35) 5km Open
Course 2 (M/W40-60) 4.3km Vet, Supervet
Course 3 (M/W 65+) 2.6km Ultravet, Hypervet
Course 4 (M/W16-) 2.5km Junior
Course 5 (M/W12-) 1.7km Young Junior

Subject to final controlling.

Important notes for junior courses:

Under 16s may not run any of the adult courses (1, 2 or 3) unaccompanied.

The Young Junior course has three areas where they may encounter light, slow moving cars in residential parking areas. Courses have been planned to keep young juniors on the pavement and away from traffic. There is a marshal on the slightly higher risk area. The whole area is adjacent to the water but fenced all around.

Please note - there is compulsory shadowing by an adult for young juniors under the age of 10 years.

Adults may wish to shadow younger juniors. Young Juniors M/W12- may be shadowed by an adult and may still run competitively, provided the shadower does not given any navigational assistance. Please declare at the end of the course if the young junior has had navigational assistance. Adults, please run your own course first if shadowing. Adults may ask to look at the younger junior course to make the decision (but again – after you have run your own course).

Juniors (M/W 16-) can only run courses 4 and 5 unaccompanied

Young Juniors (M/W 12-) may only run course 5 unaccompanied , unless under 10 years of age .

Entry Details

Entry only via Racesignup.co.uk, there will be no entry on the day.

Entries close at 8pm on 20th May, but maps numbers will be set from 15th May. Enter whilst maps available.

Seniors (British Orienteering Member) £8.00
Seniors (Non-member) £10.00
SO Juniors Free
Other juniors £3.00

Discount codes

Family rates for non-SO members capped at the rate of 2 adults plus 1 child. Enter the first three competitors as normal, then second, third child etc. using discount code 'Family'.

SO juniors use discount code 'SOjuniors'.

Adults entering all three events use discount code 'All3' for each event to receive £3 discount.

Start Times

From 18:30 to 20:00 Courses close at 20:30

Map Details

Mapped in 2019 1:5,000

Terrain Description

Originally called The Crumbles, Sovereign Harbour opened in 1993 and is northern Europe’s largest composite marina complex, having been developed from a shingle landscape to an important leisure attraction and residential area over the last 20 years. Premier’s Sovereign Harbour outside Eastbourne, East Sussex, comprises five harbours that together provide more than 800 berths.

The Waterfront at Sovereign Harbour is a waterside leisure complex. A destination for locals and visitors alike, it offers a variety of restaurants and cafés, as well as family-friendly attractions, pampering, and a comprehensive events programme. Premier Marinas acquired The Waterfront in spring 2018.

The terrain varies from waterfront urban pathways with bridges and sea locks, to shingle seafront and urban residential areas. Take care when close to waterways and when in the residential areas along the roads, as residents drive to access their properties.

Dog restrictions

Dogs are permitted in the car park on a lead at the event, but no dogs on the course please.

Facilities

Toilets are available close to the car park and en route to the start. Shower facilities are available on request by asking at the help or download tent.

There are a wide variety of restaurants at The Waterfront including Indian, Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Pub/Restaurant, Chippy.

The 4 Seasons Brasserie is offering a 10% discount to orienteers, however as this is a Saturday evening this is only available if tables are booked in advance (01323 470704, http://www.4seasonsbrasserie.c... for more information and the menu)
At the Sovereign Harbour Retail park there is a superstore and a variety of other shops.

Miscellaneous

Based around the vibrant seaside town of Eastbourne and on the doorstep of the South Downs National Park. The weekend will offer a whole host of attractions to keep you entertained all weekend.

Beachy Head, Birling Gap, Seven Sisters, Redoubt Fortress, Sovereign Harbour Marina, miniature steam railway. Waterfront restaurants at Sovereign Harbour are a must for eating with discounts offered for event participants. Also nearby are Knockhatch Adventure Park and Drusillas Zoo Park.

Special thanks go to Premier Marinas and Eastbourne Borough Council that have given permission for this event to take place.

Convenient campsite at Bramley Park Camping.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Dave White

Organiser: Darren Warner-Swann

Controller: Sue Crickmore