Kentville Gorge
May 11th 2024 11:00am
Organizer: Cheryl Smith (Event Director)
[Information below is accurate as of April 27, 2024 - check back prior to the event as details are subject to change].
This will be Barebones style event, meaning the approach will be casual in order to minimize the amount of volunteer capacity required, while still providing an enjoyable event for orienteers. One individual or team on each course will start each minute without formal start "boxes".
This event is part of the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series. Points will be awarded. (See here for detailed information about the point series).
The Venue:
The terrain at the Gorge is a mix of (mostly) runnable forest with mountain bike and walking trails and is aptly named for the deep gorge running down the middle of the map.
The Courses:
Point to Point
To complete any of the courses participants must visit a series of control points in the order shown on the map provided. Maps will be provided at the start which will be staggered to space competitors and limit following. It will either be a forest sprint or a middle distance - to be determined.
Beginner course: Typically follows marked and easy to follow trails to controls on or near trail for the easiest navigation and shortest distance to cover. Basic map following required.
Intermediate course: Requires route choice along trails while also using map features and basic compass skills to find controls located on or just off trails with typically clear features nearby that ease navigation.
Advanced course: Will tackle the entire map on trail and off, using route choices through more difficult terrain, streams forests and all; good navigation skills required.
A beginner’s clinic may be offered. Let us know via a message to the email address below if you are interested, and we can provide some form of instruction, if not a formal clinic. Please check in at 10am if you require instruction.
Registration:
Prior to participating in their first event, all participants must have completed the Orienteering NS registration form and the Orienteering Canada waiver provided during the online registration process. Once completed for your first event, you are done for the year.
Register by clicking the registration link to the right, or here:
Registration
If you aren't 100% sure you will attend, it is helpful if you pre-register (you can choose an option to pay cash, we can refund, or comp your next event). This ensures we have enough maps for all participants.
Important:
- Register by midnight Thursday, April 9, 2024 to ensure a map is printed for you, and save $5!
- Please help minimize volunteer administration time by using online payments (and pre-registration) when possible
- If you are participating as part of a group/team, please note that each team member needs to register and pay individually (there is a blank to fill out your team members)
On-site check-in will take place from 10:00 to 10:45 am.
Check in at the registration table by 10:45 at the latest on event day to take care of payment if necessary and to let us know you’ve arrived.
Entry Fees:
The following are the fees for this event* (pre-registered), add $5 for day-of registrations:
$10 per adult (21+) participating as an individual
$5 per youth (7-20) participating as an individual
$7 per group/team member if participating as part of a team
Children under 7 participate free
*If you are registering four or more family/household members at the same time (including at least one adult), please use the discount code FAMILY_2024 at checkout to receive a discount.
How to Pay:
In advance (preferred):
- By credit card as part of the registration process
- You may also pay by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the following email: nsorienteering@gmail.com
- If you choose this method, complete the online registration process. At checkout, you will see a note (bottom right) regarding 'offline payment'. Make note of your cart #, complete your EFT, and contact us with the cart # so that we can complete your registration.
In person:
- In cash; a payment container will be available. Please bring correct change.
- If you choose this method, complete the online registration process. At checkout, you will see a note (bottom right) regarding 'offline payment'. Make note of your cart #, and contact us with it so that we can complete your registration.
Last minute registration: This can be done on site, but we typically only have a few extra maps because we didn’t know you were coming... Also, pre-registration allows the on-site details to move more quickly. If you have not pre-registered, your 2024 waiver/registration still needs to be completed.
VOLUNTEERS would be appreciated for a few tasks associated with the event (e.g. Beginner clinic, registration, control pickup). Please see here to sign up.
Snacks:
A small post race treat will be available. In an effort to reduce waste, please bring your own water.
Parking:
Very limited parking is available at the end of Gladys Porter Drive in Kentville. It is preferred to park at Memorial Park, just 400m down the hill, or if the lot is full, plenty of parking is usually available at the Valley Credit Union Complex (Soccer Dome), a 1km walk.
Washrooms:
There is usually a portable washroom on-site, or the Ultramar gas station is about 1km away.
Questions: valleyorienteering@outlook.com
Weather:
We run rain, snow or shine. Local thunder will typically be accommodated by a short delay. That said any weather involving a Hurricane or Tropical Storm coming straight over will result in a reschedule.
Schedule:
10:00 Registration Opens
10:15 Beginner Clinic (if required)
10:45 Safety Brief
11:00 am (Staggered Starts)
1:30 pm Course Closure