Acadia KNOCKOUT Sprint
June 29th 2024 11:00am - 1:30pm
Organizer: Cheryl Smith (Event Director)
[Information below is accurate as of June 27, 2024 - check back prior to the event as details may be added. It is recommended that you read the details as the format of this event is a bit different].
I have decided to try hosting a knockout-style sprint event! All participants will compete together and each person will get at least two races, between 1-2kms each. Some will have three races. The qualifier is designed to be beginner-friendly. The semi-final and final rounds have some more challenging controls, though novice orienteers should be able to manage, given the large landmark features on campus.
You may participate as a team if you wish (all team members must stay within shouting distance of one another and cross the finish line at the same time).
If you qualify for a semi-final or final, you can opt out if you do not wish to run again.
Select your usual category (e.g. beginner, intermediate, advanced) when registering to help us sort scores for the NSOS Point Series.
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 30sec to a minute without formal start "boxes" for the qualifier. For the semis and finals, a mass-start approach will be used, with participants in each heat going 'head to head'. A maximum of 6 participants will start at a time.
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:
Acadia University is an urban campus setting, with a mix of buildings, pathways, green space, gardens and some wooded trails.
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. In the qualifying round, starts will be staggered to space competitors and limit following. In the semi and final rounds, mass starts will be used, so competitors will be head-to-head (but you may not be visiting the controls in the same order, so you'll need to pay attention!)
Qualifying Round: (@1.3km) Suitable for beginners; basic map following required. Controls located on large, visible features. All participants will complete the same course. The top 18 participants will be sorted into 3 semi-final heats based on their time in the qualifying round. The remaining participants will be placed in the consolation semi-final.
Semi-Final and Consolation Semi-Final Round (@1.5km): Trickier features will used, and there will be additional route choices and a fast pace. There are plenty of landmarks to use; novice orienteers may require more time. The top 2 participants from each semi-final heat will advance to the final round. There will also be a consolation final, to which those with the remaining 6 fastest times (including consolation semi-finalists) will advance.
Final and Consolation Final Round (@1.7km): This round will be fast and furious, with bragging rights on the line! "Forking" techniques will be used, meaning participants in this round will need to pay close attention :-)
A beginner’s clinic may be offered. Let us know in advance 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 still 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, June 27, 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
Rental of timing sticks is $2 if you do not have your own.
*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, please enter the following coupon code: PAY_EFT_2024 so that you appear on our registration list.
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, please enter the following coupon code: PAY_CASH_2024 so that you appear on our registration list.
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 and Check-in:
There is a dirt parking lot off Highland Ave, near Tower Fields. Look for the tallest building on campus. You may also wish to park at the Acadia Rec Complex across the road, or use several Town of Wolfville lots nearby. Registration and check-in will be to the NW of the Beveridge Arts Centre, on the front lawn of the campus (where the place marker is on the map below). All but the qualifying round will start and finish nearby. There will be a guided walk to the start of the qualifying round (@700m).
Washrooms:
There are portable washrooms available near the playing fields, and other washroom facilities available in campus buildings.
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 (subject to change if the process takes a little longer than anticipated):
10:00 Registration Opens
10:15 Beginner Clinic (if required)
10:45 Safety Brief, walk to qualifying round start.
11:00 am (Staggered Starts) - Qualifying Round (must return to finish by 11:45am)
12:00 noon (Mass Starts) - Semi Finals + Consolation (must return to finish by 12:30)
12:45 pm (Mass Starts) - Finals
1:30 pm Course Closure