G'day Rogainers,
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“Pagoda Palooza” Autumn Rogaine – Results Now Available!
The first day and night rogaine of the year has been and gone on what was a stunning, dry, mild, late-autumn day. Accounts are pretty consistent that it was a navigationally challenging course, but the event lived up to its name of being full of incredible rock formations, in addition to nice forest and superb views of the Wolgan Valley.
Some highlights include:
- Top 6hr team was Hugh and Sam Stodart with 1170, who also took out the Family Division
- Top 12hr team was Gill Fowler, Julie Quinn and David Baldwin (pictured below receiving yet another mug to add to their collection) ahead of Richard Mountstephens and Andrew Brown by a mere 10 points.
There are lots more great photos available on the website here. Thanks to everyone who uploaded them!
Thank you to Toni Bachvarova, Andrew Smith, Richard Sage and the other volunteers for the many long hours spent pulling together what was a cracker event, which took lots of imagination, planning and weekends exploring the course.
Make sure you have a look at the map from a 1980s event to see how far maps have evolved, on the forum here.
“Will I or Wollemi?” - 56th Paddy Pallin 6hr – Sunday 16th June 2019.
Entries are now open for the 56th running of the Paddy Pallin rogaine, this year at Upper Colo, where a pristine river, spectacular views, a world heritage national park, history, wildlife and free camping await you. Ian Almond, Mardi & John Barnes and their team of volunteers have been working hard to set a course that is interesting and accessible to all participants.
This is a six-hour event starting at 9am with maps available at 7am. Free camping is available on Saturday night where 1st Waitara Scouts will provide dinner for an additional fee. Following the rogaine there will be presentation of perpetual trophies and lucky-draw prizes provided by the Paddy Pallin Organisation.
How much do you know about the Colo River? Test your knowledge in our quiz here!
Navshield 2019 – June 22nd and 23rd
Navshield is an annual rogaine organized by Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) as a training exercise for emergency service teams, but rogainers and bushwalkers are always welcome to join in. There are two options, for 10-hours or 29-hours, and the location will be announced closer to the event. Rogaining NSW members who would like to enter and fly the flag for the rogaining community should go to the Navshield website for more information.
Rogaining regulars Carley Finn and Jim Collier (pictured below at the 2018 NSW Champs) are setting the Navshield this year. I asked Jim some questions about the event, and what makes it worthwhile for rogainers.
Tristan White: What is Navshield - who is it for, who runs it, where is it?
Jim Collier: Navshield is a long rogaine held annually for the emergency services, rogainers and bushwalkers. The event receives several hundred entries each year, particularly from the SES, RFS, Police Rescue and Ambulance Special Operations. The event is run by SES Bush Search and Rescue, Australia’s oldest land search and rescue organization, founded in 1936. There’s a 1-day event offered, going from 08:30-19:30 on the Saturday, and a 2-day event from 08:30-14:00 the next day (that’s 29½ hrs!) You may see the official start time as 8:45 but, matching the attitude of the event, after the welcome-speeches and final briefing at 8:20 the organisers might just send people off early. Why wait for an official start time?
The location is traditionally a closely guarded secret which is announced in the week before the event. All I can say is this year’s Navshield will be around three hours’ drive from Sydney.
TW: How does it differ from a conventional rogaine?
JC: Unlike a conventional rogaine, where CP circles are premarked on the map, competitors receive a blank course map and a list of grid references for all the checkpoints, and must use their skills to plot the checkpoints on the map. In addition, there are three radio bases on the course and competitors are required to check in with one of the bases each day for safety purposes.
TW: Why should rogaining regulars enter, even if they are ineligible for the overall Shield?
JC: Rogainers should consider entering because, hey, who can resist another rogaine?! It’s an opportunity to pit themselves against elite emergency services members, and it's a great weekend in beautiful bushland.
TW: Is there any information you can share about the course you are setting that isn't considered top secret?
JC: The course is quite varied, from undulating plateau country to steep gullies. There’s very little scrub, with most of the course featuring open terrain, fabulous for fast rogaining. There are some wonderful views over the surrounding countryside.
TW: Why is it always held at the winter solstice – the longest night of the year?
JC: Well, we don’t want to make it too easy!
TW: Thanks Jim, I hope you and Carley have fun setting the course.
“Nyctophobia Buster” 5 or 2½-hr Night Rogaine, Saturday 6th July – Entries Open Now!
Thanks to the 40 people who provided detailed feedback in the recent survey about what they would like to see if we were to put on a night-time event this year, which has allowed us to cement in plans for the inaugural Nyctophobia Buster on the evening of July 6th. We can guarantee that not just “night-time novices” should be prepared to be scared, as in addition to darkness you may see ghosts, unexplained scary noises and creepy animals (that may walk on two legs!). The key details are as follows:
- Based in the Hornsby Heights Scout Hall, with a 16:47 start (allowing about 30 mins daylight). We can organise lifts from Hornsby station for those who need them.
- 2.5 and 5hr options.
- Hybrid course including streets and parks, but deeper bushland and some careful navigation for more ambitious teams to ensure there’s something for everyone. One of the best-known sections of the Great North Walk from Galston Gorge to Crosslands will feature.
- Teams of 2-5, as usual. No solo entries, firstly for safety, and secondly to be in the same form for the longer night events where working as a team is essential.
- Catering will be omitted to allow teams to get home, though tea and coffee and some nibbles will be available.
- Navlight CP punches will be used, as usual. The darkness will make the flash much easier to see!
- Special prizes to the best scary team name, and scariest costume at the briefing.
The organising team of Chris Stevenson, Toni Bachvarova, and Andrew Smith are really looking forward to seeing how people find the event, and hoping it can become a regular fixture in the calendar to fill an important void.
Australasian Champs 9-10 November, St Helens Tasmania
Rogaining Tasmania is excited to announce that the venue for the 2019 Australasian Rogaining Championships is St Helens, Tasmania. The event will be held in 6 months’ time, on the weekend of 9-10th November, 2019. This fantastic rogaining area has terrain ranging from steep areas with extensive granite outcropping to flatter, more subtle terrain that was historically utilised for tin mining. The map includes the sleepy, coastal township of Binalong Bay and the world famous Bay of Fires area, a mecca for travellers who love the outdoors.
St Helens is on Tasmania’s north-east coast approximately 3½ hours’ drive from Hobart and 2½ hours’ drive from Launceston. Both these cities have domestic airports. St Helens is a fully serviced town with cafés, restaurants, banks, supermarkets, etc. The organisers will be providing bus transport from Launceston for the event but why not stay for a longer break and enjoy Tasmania. At this time of year car-hire and accommodation can be readily booked in advance. For information on tourist destinations and self-drive itineraries visit the Discover Tasmania website.
Event updates will be posted on the event website and Facebook page, including information about opening of entries.
Please mark this date in your calendars and spread the word with your networks. It would be great to see you in Tasmania this November!
Tristan White
Publicity Officer
NSW Rogaining Association
publicity@nswrogaining.org
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