Location

Nearest town: Aboyne

• Grid Ref:
• Postcode:
• Lat/Lon: 57.07765,-2.76782
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Pre Event Info

Bellwood is an open forest on the Eastern edge of Aboyne with many interlinking tracks and a bike skills park at the East side. Although it was hit by Winter storms as much as the other local forests, there has been a lot of activity over the last couple of months clearing fallen and hanging trees. All the paths network is clear of windblown, but there are still a few trees lying in the forest. These areas have been indicated on the map as much as possible.

Safety

There is a walk of about 300m from parking to registration through a quiet residential area with pavements, but small children should be accompanied.

Beginners

First time orienteers are encouraged to have a go. Assistance will be available from 5.45pm to show anyone new what to do. There is no need to run when learning to orienteer – and no special equipment needed.

Covid

Covid restrictions have now eased. We will not be collecting contact tracing information, or assigning start blocks. However, please still be mindful of not crowding around the registration car, and please do not come to the event if you have, or suspect that you have covid.

Directions / Parking

On entering Aboyne from the East, pass the Gulf garage on your right and turn left at the next opening on your left signposted for Aboyne Hospital/Health Centre. Then left again along Bellwood Drive. Parking is on Bellwood Drive, opposite the children’s play area at:

Grid ref: NO 536 987      what3words: cage.hologram.enter.

There is a walk of about 300m from parking to registration in the forest car park at:

Grid ref: NO 539 987      what3words: travel.sheets.prancing.

Registration & Start Times

Starts will be available from 6pm until 7pm. Courses close at 8pm. Clear and check units will be beside registration.

Course Information

There will be 2 courses available:

Sprint – straight line distance 3.3km, 14 controls.

Short Sprint, suitable for beginners - straight line distance 1.5km, 9 controls

Controls will be SIAC enabled, but start and finish must be dibbed.

Explanation of colour courses

• White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
• Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
• Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
• Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
• Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
• Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
• Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
• Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Entry on the day. Cost - seniors on sprint course £5. Juniors and beginners £2.50. Dibber hire £1. Payment by cash or card.

Contacts / Officials

Organiser/Planner: Alan Bennett

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.
Participants in orienteering should be aware of the risk of tick bites - more information here.

SPORTident timing will be used

Please note that a lost hire SI-Card will be charged for at a rate of £30, unless the Club Commitee agrees that there are special circumstances.

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