Rogaining 2023 by Numbers

The NSW Rogaining Organising Committee / Board are having a strategic planning session in December to redo our 5 year plan. In preparation for this session, I have collected the following statistics to help reflect on the sport we love.

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VETTING “THE EDGE”

It’s always frustrating — and humbling — to make a navigation blue right at the start. No, I’m not talking about a recent rogaine, but my experience while vetting the forthcoming course for the Oz Champs at Goobang NP and

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My 100 not out!

The Autumngaine at Stroud (thanks to Mat Collin for all his hard work) was my 100th NSW Rogaine which is a bit of a milestone for me. If you add ACT events and ones I volunteered at, rather than competing,

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The Controversial Control Coverup

I am sure that many of you will have noticed, on the weekend, that the controls were covered with orange PVC pipe and there was not a steel cover in sight. There is a back story to this involving the

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My Wrap of the Bantry Bay Leechgaine

Congratulations to Steve Ryan and other volunteers for putting on this very sucessful event. Steve set the course, made the map and also acted as the event co-ordinator. Three roles normally done by three different people and all completed with

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Children and Rogaining

– by Brett Davis Children have a special place in rogaining, especially in NSW – and they don’t even have to obey the rules like everyone else! The “Rules and Regulations” page of the New South Wales Rogaining Association (NSWRA)

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My Wrap – 30th Lake Macquarie

I was really looking forward to the Lake Macquarie rogaine. It felt like forever since the last Lake Macquarie rogaine, in fact the last Lake Macquarie rogaine was two years ago today. The organising team has had a rough time

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Keelan’s Wrap – 30th Lake Macquarie

I thought i’d write some thoughts/analysis. It’s all ‘what-ifs’ of course but i think lessons can be learnt from post-race analysis. Most important was to have fun (which was achieved!!). I enjoyed having a different approached to route planning with

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Time to Lose Control?

By Brett Davis In rogaining, the terms “control” and “checkpoint” are pretty much interchangeable, with both used to describe those often elusive points on the map that we have to find. Orienteering began in the late 19th century, and was

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The Top NSW Champion

Thanks to Covid disruptions, the NSW Championships haven’t run since Yengo 2019, which means we are greatly looking forward to a 24-hour event this year, using a new and exciting area in the far north-west of the state. Thinking of

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Dinosaurs, Morse Code and Rogaining

Navigation Today Don’t get me wrong, I love rogaining, but I am starting to wonder if, like dinosaurs and Morse Code, rogaining might have had its glory days, unless we adapt. I am a keen bushwalker and I am partial

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My Wrap of the Cherry Pye-gaine

A Great  Location I really like Cherrybrook as a location for a short or city based event. The suburb is literally surrounded by bushy creeks with Pye Creek to the north and Berowra Creek to the east and south. There

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Missing Maps

Missing Maps We are trying to complete our archives. In particular we want to get a complete inventory of maps used in NSW rogaines since the first rogaine in 1983. We have made pretty good progress with approximately 170 maps

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Map memory

What is Map Memory? Map memory, as defined for use in rogaining and orienteering, is the ability to look at a map and commit the relevant portion of the map to memory, it is said that this is useful for

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Rogainers are Getting Older

I had a chance meeting today with a rogainer who has recently turned 75, but is still a fine athlete. He (I’ll give that much away) still has the audacity to beat me from time to time. He was asking

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My Wrap of the 58th Paddy Pallin Rogaine

The 58th Paddy Pallin Rogaine was a lot of fun and it wasn’t just me who enjoyed it, everyone seemed to have a pretty good time. It was probably the most fun I have had since Trevor Gollan’s 2017 Karst

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What we can do better part 1- Post Event

This is the first of a series of posts asking the question “What can we do better?”.  In order to keep the discussion brief and to the point I will be breaking the discussion up into a number of posts:

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My wrap of the “Spoilt for Choice” Autumngaine

Thanks very much to Rick Cavicchioli, Tassia Kolesnikow, Mike Hotchkis and the rest of the organising team for putting on yesterday’s Autumngaine at Belanglo. We had been promised that we would be spoilt for choice and we certainly were. There

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Catering at Rogaines – Why Bother?

We’ve all enjoyed the catering provided after a Rogaining event, maybe during a 24-hour one, and you might even have helped out in the kitchen at an event.  Have you participated in an event (particularly since COVID) where catering has

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Wollongong Metrogaine

Great event. After 40+ years of orienteering and rogaining i got to have a beer on the course at the Mt Kembla pub! Well worth it. Thank you to all volunteers.

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We need a wall!

Using these two sources of revenue I expect we should be able to fund our Wall in well less than a billion years and we will reap the benefits until the Sun destroys the earth shortly thereafter. Join our Protest

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Studio 10 Rogaining Article

Rogaining Makes Daytime TV

This was shot on the morning of Web 3rd Feb 2021 in Lindfield. This is a follow on from the recent feature on Rogaining in the Sydney Morning Herald on 16th Jan 16, 2021. Read SMH Article Here https://nswrogaining.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tpcp-bush1-clip-s1n.mp4 Tristan

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57th Paddy Pallin Rogaine

The 57th Paddy Pallin Rogaine

For the last 57 years the Paddy Pallin organisation has combined with NSW Rogaining to put on a Rogaine. The Paddy Pallin rogaine is a special feature on the rogaining calendar since it is our most popular event and for

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Never Too Young for Lawyer Vine

You are never too young to experience the joys of lawyer vine which, after all, is an Australian native (Smilax australis) pest rather than an introduced one. Sophie, my daughter’s first experience with lawyer vine was in the 2015 Lake

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Them’s the Rules

Posted on 12/12/2016 by Chris At the most recent meeting of the NSW Rogaining Association Committee the issue of mis-punching electronic controls was discussed. By default the event software we use “RogaineScore” records the lowest score recorded by a team member so any

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My Wrap of the 2018 Paddy Pallin

Posted on 17/06/2018 by Chris I really enjoyed the 2018 Paddy Pallin event at Kitchener. I had not rogained in the area before, but I look forward to competing there again if the opportunity arises.The course was interesting because it was large and

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Ultraveterans

What a great event was the Woronora Pipe Dreams Rogaine. Excellent map, fine conditions and some refined control placement. Today, comparing the 1:20,000 map with the 1:25,000 Socialgaine map of the same area from 2013 shows a huge amount of

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Navigation in Low-Relief Terrain

Sections of Gundabooka National Park are flat so I thought it timely, prior to this year’s NSW Championships, to prepare some thoughts about navigation in such country. The map we’re using is a custom prepared map at 1:25,000 scale with

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A University Degree in Rogaining?

A 24-hour rogaine looks a lot like a semester of university. The pace at the beginning is fast, but it doesn’t take long for motivation to drop off and slogging away becomes a test of willpower. And just like the

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Wonder Compass

Buy the new compass.While stocks last. Post added 2020 NSW Rogaining has teamed up with to create a revolutionary new “wonder” compass. A traditional compass, in the hands of a skilled operator, will tell you which way to go. This

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Nobel Nyctophobia

Julian Ledger – 6 July 2019 So swiftly the sun sets in the sky You rise up and say goodbye to no one Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Jokerman Dance to the nightingale tune Bird fly high

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A Tale of The Deceptive Lands

The Story Behind the Australasian Rogaining Championships 2020, May 9-10  “30 Years Ago; The Story begins…” writes SA Rogaining Association’s Chief Conspirator Jenny Casanova, “…on a dark, rainy, windswept night in 1989, the young girl trudged up the road in

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Course-setting Workshops

On the 3rd January I suggested on Facebook that, depending on interest in our rogaining community, we could run some training for course setters What a pleasing response!  30-odd expressions of interest Consequently we have scheduled a workshop on 8-Feb,

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Welcome to Rogaining – 2014 style

There’s a large bubble in my compass which has appeared from nowhere over summer.  However as the first two events of the year have both been on tracks it has not yet been an issue. The Boardwalk Bonanza Minigaine on

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A Few Good Men (Team 97) and a lot of rain

Chris Stevenson The 2016 Paddy Pallin did not disappoint. The Bureau of Meteorology delivered the expected amount of rain. It rained 27.8mm during the 6 hours of the event. Looking around at the start there seemed to be three takes

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Blisters for Vistas

The Socialgaine was developed to give the regular rogainer a different perspective on the environment. ¼ way between the, all urbane Metrogaine and the largely bush Rogaine. You can go all out and sprint for the 6 hours, or perhaps

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Winter Wrap 2015

Winter wrap Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by three fabulous rogaines With apologies to Shakespeare and Richard 3rd. Despite Sydney’s coldest winter for 26 years it has been champagne conditions for NSW rogainers with great

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Rogaining Partners – Who needs them!

Posted by Chris Stevenson on 3/10/2001 This article originally written by Sue Clarke, from Newsletter 30, September 1991 Why are rogaines run in pairs? The easy answer is, of course, for safety. However, there is considerable scientific evidence to show that

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Egadz! – I’ve become a sports administrator

This article is taken from Newsletter 34, July 1992, written by Warwick Marsden Ian McKenzie’s two articles in our March newsletter (on selection of teams for the World Champs and whether there should be a change to the convention whereby

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“Sugarloaf Spectacular” Metrogaine

Posted by Chris Stevenson on 20/02/2010 G’day rogainers, From Richard’s report I see he and his team turned on another very successful event.   Tell us here about your experience at this rogaine and any suggestions that may make for

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What is our balance of events like?

Posted on 2/11/2011 by Joel Mackay Here at the NSWRA committee, we are often pondering over whether we have too many shorter and/or urban events – compared to longer and more distant bush events, or whether we should even be

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Volunteer Rewards

Volunteer Reward Points Table The following volunteers have earned points for volunteering at a Rogaine.  Points are allocated by the Event Coordinator and the Volunteer Coordinator and are based on the numbers in the NSWRA Volunteer Rewards Policy, but in general,

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My 20 years of rogaining

Posted on 12/03/2015 by Chris Stevenson I felt motivated to write to let everyone know that the 2014 Socialgaine held last Sunday represents 20 years of rogaining for me. I still remember the day a friend described this sport with

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A big thank you from an injured competitor

Posted on 4/05/2015 by Dominique Pitot A big thankyou Yesterday, while participating in the Dharug Dreamtime 6 hour Autumn Rogaine, I slipped and banged my head against a rock. Team 58 were nearby and rushed to my assistance. I would

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Cheating?

Posted on 8/08/2015 by Chris Stevenson The rules of rogaining are pretty explicit: R7. Navigational Aids (a) The only navigational aids that may be carried on the course are magnetic compasses, watches and copies of the competition map. (b) The

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Lane Cove River – 21 Years Later

Posted on 28/02/2016 by Chris Stevenson My wife, Dianne, and I competed in the Lane Cover river 6 hour event in 1995 and yesterday I fronted up for another go. What has changed? My wife, now with 2 children and

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Chris Stevenson

My Blind Date with Danny

Posted on 23/05/2016 by Chris Stevenson The Autumngaine at Tarlo river found me partnerless, so I tried our partner finding service. I first tried hooking up with Mal. Mal subsequently jilted me, preferring instead to recover from the flu, which

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Snogaine – 7th August

Posted on 24/06/2016 by Andy Simpson After a bit of arm twisting by some ACT rogainers the NSW Ski-orienteering event at Perisher on 7th August will include a 2 hour “Snogaine”, mass start at noon. More details at: http://www.bigfootorienteers.com/drupal_2/skio2016 Hope

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Julian Reading his Crappy Map

NavShield 2016 – Crappy Maps and Big Country

Posted on 10/07/2016 by Chris Stevenson I have been rogaining more than 20 years, but I have never tried a NavShield until now. Julian, my regular rogaining partner suggested we “have a go” at this year’s event. For those of

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Mike Hotchkis Reaches Checkpoint 200

Posted on 27/09/2019 by Tristan White Recent committee meetings have included discussion about ways to reward repeat offenders at rogaines, perhaps a token such as a headband after they go to their 5th rogaine. But what about those that just

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The importance of a good first aid kit

[Due to a server failure in Aug-2019 we have restored this historic post] Posted on 2/09/2016 by Catherine Wood Ok so story goes……. We had a really good start and were tracking well. It got dark and we were tracking

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The Perfect Event

The Perfect Event

Posted on 10/09/2016 by Chris Stevenson I am quite excited about the forthcoming NSW champs. I was wondering why I am excited and I reckon that the NSW Champs might be close to a perfect event. This led me to thinking

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Great finish to the NSW Champs – U23’s

[Due to a server failure in Aug-2019 we have restored this historic post] Posted on 17/10/2016 by Alan Mansfield From the Event page – “Congratulations to Rochelle Duerden and Mitchell Lindbeck who, after the correction of a punch failure, have

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What? You missed it?

Posted on 17/10/2016 by Chris Stevenson The NSW Championship last weekend was an event not to be missed, if you didn’t make it you missed out on a superb, classic rogaine. We had 200 starters which was 41 teams in the 8

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Funny Moments in Rogaining

[Due to a server failure in Aug-2019 we have restored this historic post] Posted on 10/12/2016 by Chris Stevenson Hi. It’s the off season for rogaining and it’s almost Christmas, so it is a time for reflection. Understanding this, I

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Them’s “The Rules”

[Due to a server failure in Aug-2019 we have restored this historic post] Posted on 12/12/2016 by Chris Stevenson At the most recent meeting of the NSW Rogaining Association Committee the issue of mis-punching electronic controls was discussed. By default

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Do you like it Soft or Hard?

Judging by our attendance at 12 and 24 hour events I think most Rogainers like it soft. The NSW Organising Committee (of which I am a part) are wondering why relatively few people enter 12 or 24 hour events. I

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Avoiding the Lawrence of Arabia country

Posted on 10/04/2017 by Julian Ledger Congratulations to Steve Ryan course setter, Gill Fowler organiser and Anita Bickle admin, on the excellent Minigaine at Cronulla on Sunday. Exploring an area not so well known to many in very fair conditions

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Sand, sun, surf and more bloody sand!

Posted on 10/04/2017 by Chris Stevenson The Minigaine yesterday was an interesting event. As someone who comes to rogaining from a bushwalking rather than a running or orienteering background, I always look towards the minigaines with some trepidation. To do

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My wrap of the Australian Championships

Posted on 08/05/2017 by Chris Stevenson The Australian Championships were held over the weekend in an area near Bredbo, south of Canberra, and I thought I would write down a few things that piqued my interest from the event. Firstly,

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The End of an Era

Posted on 08/05/2017 by Chris Stevenson It’s the end of an era. Welcome to the era of Teslin. Teslin, for those of you not up with the latest innovations in rogaining, is that “paper” on which we have started to

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“Karst Irony” – The Fun Rogaine

Posted on 21/05/2017 by Chris Stevenson Julian Ledger and I lined up for the 6 hour event yesterday. We were not keen for the 12 hour event, having competed in the 24 hour Australian Championship only a fortnight before. The “Karst

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The Paddy Pallin Rogaine Mixed Teams Trophy

Posted on 14/06/2017 by Chris, for Trevor Gollan One feature of the Paddy Pallin Rogaine is its history.  Paddy initiated the “Paddy Pallin Orienteering Contest” in 1964 to encourage people to enjoy the bush with minimal impact and to practice

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Fenceageddon

Posted on 19/06/2017 by Chris Stevenson “Never in the field of human competition was so many fences crossed by so few competitors” (Sorry Winston.) The 2017 Paddy Pallin event was held at Sydney University’s farm “Arthursleigh’ at Big Hill and I

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My Wrap – Lake Macquarie 2017 6hr

Posted on 07/08/2017 by Chris Stevenson I confess I was a bit nervous when I read pre-event information which included the line “Gaiters or other leg coverings (full body cover recommended)”. I have done the Lake Macquarie event a few times

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Trev’s Puzzle

Posted on 06/11/2017 by Chris Stevenson Finally, a small puzzle… Dave Williams nominated as his favourite place on the course, “the dramatic knife-edge spur above 92 on the way from 70. We timed it perfectly with great views east just

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Rogaining’s Social Structure

Posted on 10/11/2017 by Chris Stevenson I do not remember much about studying ancient history at school but I do remember the class structure of Ancient Greek society and the “Pentacosiomedimni” whose wealth can be defined as being greater than

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