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Orienteering weekend offers healthy competition

South Western Times

Adventurers are encouraged to join in on some healthy competition when a double header weekend of orienteering takes place at Bunbury Senior High School and Evedon Ridge, Burekup.

Orienteering is a sport in which participants have to find their way around a course marked on a map in as short a time as possible and is suitable for children as young as seven and mature aged people up to 80.

Those looking for a high intensity short distance competition can participate in the NavDash at the school on Saturday, or for those who are prepared to go bush can compete in the cross country in Burekup on Sunday.

Camera IconCredit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times

The South West Orienteering Trekkers will run the event and have encouraged the public to “have a go” at the “thought sport”.

Trekkers coach and organiser Don Mason said he hoped to see new faces get involved over the weekend.

“People might come along who have done it once or twice before or are newcomers and they can do it at a leisurely pace,” Mr Mason said.

“It will combine competitive people and those who are not so competitive – it is all a bit of fun.”

South West Orienteering Trekkers Eckhart, 10, and Aldo Bosman, 13, prepare for a weekend of high intensity orienteering on the weekend.
Camera IconSouth West Orienteering Trekkers Eckhart, 10, and Aldo Bosman, 13, prepare for a weekend of high intensity orienteering on the weekend. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times

He said skills gained through orienteering included teamwork and map reading and helped to instil confidence in young competitors, while getting people out in the sunshine and exercising.

Member Marlize Bosman and her family have been orienteering for the past two years with the trekkers and said it was a great family weekend activity.

“We started as a family doing in two pairs and as we have progressed we have grown in confidence,” she said.

No prior experience is required. Call 9795 7706 for information.

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