SOG S3Waterhall - Coaching and Intro SessionSat 01 March, 2025

Report

Planners report to follow...

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

Overflow parking on Waterhall Road is still available

Register now

FINAL DETAILS

The clubhouse will be open from 09.00-14.00 with access to refreshments and toilets. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided, but please bring your own mug. The clubhouse also provides an opportunity for a bit of a social get-together so bring a packed lunch if you wish. No muddy shoes are to be worn indoors.

The start window for orienteering will be 10.00-11.30, with the Start immediately to the north of the clubhouse. The Finish is also adjacent to the clubhouse. The terrain is slippery in parts, so shoes with good grip are recommended. There are fences in the terrain and these must not be crossed except via the gates. The longer courses visit the northern section of the map where there are very docile/timid cattle.

At 10.00 we will have an Introduction to Orienteering session. Please meet at the conference table in the main room. The weather looks fine but chilly so please wrap up warm for the outdoor elements of the training.

We will have 5 fun training activities set up. Everyone is welcome to have a go on an ad-hoc basis.

• -A maze to practice map orientation
• -Trail-o to tests control description knowledge
• -Bearings
• -Contour model and quiz
• -900m model event to get used to the terrain and mapping style

Karen Ashworth will be adjacent to the maze and will have the maps and training download kit. Please return the maps after use.

If you are parking in the overflow area on Waterhall Road, you can see the clubhouse at the top of the hill if you look north west. On foot, follow the road west and then take the track which heads up the hill. This will be marked with red and white streamers.

The weather makes it a good day for photography, but please let me know if you would prefer not to have your photograph taken.

Robert Lines

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Explore Waterhall and have a go at Orienteering! On Saturday 1 March 2025 we have an orienteering fun day based at the Waterhall clubhouse on the outskirts of Brighton. At 10.00 there will be an Introduction to Orienteering session. It’s free to attend for anyone who enters one of the following courses:

- Yellow (1.6km) – Easy and ideal for children up to 12
- Orange (2.5km) – Easy and good for a family adventure
- Short Green (3.2km) – More of a navigational challenge
- Green (4.6km) – Tricky, often our most popular course
- Blue (6km) – The ultimate running and navigational challenge

There will be a 30-minute indoor session and Q&A before we head out into the terrain for a practice with maps and compasses. Participants will then be able to tackle their chosen course with starts between 11.00-11.30. There will be tea and coffee available in the clubhouse afterwards and an opportunity to chat with our friendly coaches.

Sign up at RaceSignUp and also reserve a free parking space at the clubhouse. Once, the car park is full, additional spaces will be available on Waterhall Road (300m walk uphill).

For club members there will also be junior training sessions.

Waterhall is a rewilding project based on a former golf course. Head Ranger Paul Gorringe is an enthusiastic project lead and always happy to chat about the work.

We have a brand new map on an area never before used for orienteering. The terrain includes patches of woodland along with open areas with scattered thickets. The Downs can be quite exposed on a windy day, so a cagoule may be advisable. The area includes large spurs, earth banks and walls, platforms and sandy bunkers. Docile cattle graze a third of the area at a time. They are very timid, so please don’t disturb them unnecessarily. There will be no need to climb any fences, and please leave gates as you find them.

Location Info

Nearest town: Brighton

• Postcode: BN457BD *
• Lat,Lng:50.86591,-0.17934
• Grid Ref:
• 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

Parking at the Waterhall Clubhouse is accessed from Saddlescombe Road. (Spaces must be reserved via RaceSignUp.)

Overflow parking is on Waterhall Road. Please be aware there are two car parks available on Waterhall Road, one free option and a paid option at the rugby club. To arrive at the free option, follow Waterhall Road west and take the right-hand fork in the road. Once parked, follow the taped route from the free car park west along Waterhall Road. At the end of the road, there will be a public footpath which will take you uphill towards the former golf course clubhouse where the assembly is located. Map of overflow parking

Public Transport

Brighton & Hove Buses offer several bus routes which will take you to the outskirts of the event area;

• Bus route 27/27c: Disembark at the Green Ridge bus stop in Westdene. Cross Green Ridge, carefully cross Mill Road, and follow the footpath over the A27 bridge into Waterhall. Proceed towards the Rugby club, where a public footpath leads uphill to the assembly (the former golf course clubhouse).
• Bus route 77 'Breeze': Get off at the Dyke Approach bus stop. The event area is northeast, across Saddlescombe Road. Exercise caution when crossing these busy roads. Once in the event area, the assembly (golf course clubhouse) will be clearly visible.
  Please refer to the Brighton & Hove Buses website for current timetables.

Course Information

- Yellow (1.6km) – Easy and ideal for children up to 12yrs
- Orange (2.5km) – Easy and good for a family adventure
- Short Green (3.2km) – More of a navigational challenge
- Green (4.6km) – Tricky, often our most popular course
- Blue (6km) – The ultimate running and navigational challenge

Entry Details

Pre-entry via Racesignup.co.uk

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

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 £0.50)

Registration open

9:45 to 10:45

Start Times

10.00 - 11.30. Courses close at 1pm.

Map Details

1:7,500 with 5m contours

Terrain Description

Open downland with woodland and arears of scattered thickets. Hilly.

Dog restrictions

Keep your dog on a lead at all times whilst in the reserve. Clear up after your dog.

Facilities

Toilets, teas and coffees, indoor area for picnics.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Robert Lines

Organiser: Robert Lines

Controller: Edward Lines