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Summer training finale

Relays & BBQ at Henlade Wood

John Was The Boss Of The Bbq

John Was The Boss Of The Bbq

Published: Fri 14 Jul 2017

We ended our summer training series with some fun relays and a wonderful selection of food on this partially wooded hill overlooking Taunton

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Training skills

Training skills

Lost compass?

Lost compass?

Chloe receives a "floral bouquet" on behalf of the winning team

Chloe receives a "floral bouquet" on behalf of the winning team

Down hill to the finish

Down hill to the finish
Credit: Angela

Our last training session of this summer and Tess didn't let us rest up! We had to mark up our own maps from master maps and get to grips with the slightly complex formats that orienteering relay races sometimes bring. Five teams, headed up by an experienced orienteer did battle in this lovely little area, a round hill with woodland dotted around and streams criss-crossing. It was a pretty close finish, which showed how consistent our runners were. I would say that the teams were pretty well balanced too, but I might be accused of bias! I picked the teams and ended up in the winning line-up, along with two of the Carter family, Matt and Chloe.

After the BBQ, Vikki and Tess were thanked for their work in putting on such an enjoyable series. Thank you also to all those bringing and preparing the lovely food and to Jon Wood for a fine job manning the BBQ.

Review of the series

Our coaches Tess and Vikki have been running the Thursday evening sessions since May. Starting at Netherclay, Taunton we progressed onto a bigger, more complex wood at Neroche. Thurlbear Wood followed. Then we acquainted ourselves with some bizarre line and point features at the delightful Quants.

Amongst the topics they have focussed on have been map walks, distance judgement, taking bearings in complex areas, setting short courses. Sometimes followed by "clock relays".

- Jeff Pakes

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