"Rob Preston" via Robbie in Google Reader

Orienteering Gippsland Final race in Traralgon

2012-01-19T11:41:00Z

The final race of the Orienteering Gippsland Urban Adventure series was held in Traralgon last night. A small but high quality field took on the 45minute score orienteering course around Traralgon West with enthusiasm. Kathryn Ewels collected her 3rd win of the series, collecting all 25 controls in 40mins 37secs. Yinnar's dynamic twins Eli and Isaac van Rhine were the only other competitors to collect all controls- a great effort in 43mins 20secs. Todd Houghton had another great run to finish 4th with 36 points, but suffered a little from a conservative route. Liz Kenney showed reward for attending all 5 races and had a great race to finish 5th with 33 points.

1. Kathryn Ewels 37 points, 40mins37secs
2. Eli van Rhine 37 points, 43mins20secs
2. Isaac van Rhine 37 points, 43mins20secs
4. Todd Houghton 36 points, 42mins09secs
5. Liz Kenney 33 points, 47mins00secs
6. Darrell Cross 33 points, 49mins30secs
7. Diana van Rhine 30points, 45mins30secs
8. Graeme Busch 28 points, 47mins
9. Anna Orr 25 points, 43mins
10. Jen Houghton 19 points, 43mins

Thank you to the series supporters, especially the Australian Sports Commission, Orienteering Australia and Orienteering Victoria who have helped secure financial support for developing Orienteering in the Gippsland region.

Also thanks to all the local competitors who have shown such enthusiasm and great improvements in performance each week. Stay tuned to the website for details of future Orienteering events in Gippsland.

Orienteering Gippsland Churchill 5 January 2012 Report

2012-01-09T11:04:00Z

The 4th race of the Orienteering Gippsland series took place at Churchill's Monash University Campus last week. Former New Zealand team member Alistair Landels was a guest visitor and completed the 3km course in 18mins58secs. Melissa Jones was the first local resident in 22mins20secs, narrowly beating Todd Houghton in 22mins30secs. Anna Orr had her best run of the series to finish 2nd woman and 4th overall. Eli van Rhine (24.23mins) was 3rd male just in front of his twin brother Isaac (24.23mins).

This final race of the current Orienteering Gippsland series has been postponed from this Friday to next Wednesday night- 18th January. This race will again start from the Traralgon West clubrooms.

Full results

Position	Time	Name
1	18.58 mins	Alistair Landels
2	22.20 mins	Melissa Jones
3	22.30 mins	Todd Houghton
4	23.30 mins	Anna Orr
5	23.46 mins	Eli Van Rhine
6	24.23 mins	Isaac van Rhine
7	25.04 mins	Duncan Orr
7	26.16 mins	Diana Van Rhine
9	27.25 mins	Darrel Cross
10	29.21 mins	Liz Kenny
11	33.16 mins	Bob Duljas
12	34.16 mins	Geoff Duff
13	35.22 mins	Richard Comber
14	35.52 mins	Steve McLeod
15	40.00 mins	Jen Houghton & Kim Essex
17	DNF	Ian Twite

Mt Baw Baw New Years Day report

2012-01-05T06:35:00Z

Orienteering Gippsland started 2012 in style with an event at a brand new location- Mt Baw Baw. The winter ski resort is now becoming a popular summer destination with lots of walking tracks and some adventure activities. The weather was glorious and warm, but not heat wave conditions like the rest of Victoria. The 3.6km course involved some tough hills, particularly at altitudes above 1500m, and some very technical orienteering around complex granite boulders and snow gums. The finish chute involved a dry toboggan run which added some fun.

Many competitors were suffering not only from the altitude, but also nursing heavy heads after Kathryn and Rob's wedding and NYE celebrations last night. International visitor Chrisoph Rathgeb from Switzerland showed great form over his Aussie competitors to win in 27mins20secs. NSW Stinger Matt Parton followed with 29mins53secs and Traralgon Harrier Todd Houghton continues to show great promise to finish 3rd man.

A very strong women's field contained two national team members and several other top elite competitors. Victoria's Jasmine Neve gained a narrow win over South Australia's Vanessa Round in 32mins and 33mins respectively. Ilka Barr was not far back with 37mins34secs.

It was great to see some visitors from Melbourne Club Dandinong Ranges Orienteering club make the trip to Mt Baw Baw.

Leg Split times on Winsplits- For those new to orienteering this website gives you information on how long each leg took you compared to your competitors, and gives estimates of time loss for mistakes.

Results-

  Place    Name                    Club         Time

  1.  767 Cristoph Rathgeb         Switzerland  00:27:20

  2.  756 Matt Parton               NSW         00:29:53

  3.  757 Jasmine Neve              MF-V        00:32:11

  4.  769 Vanessa Round             MF-V        00:33:21

  5.  763 Ilka Barr                 MF-V        00:37:34

  6.  764 Todd Houghton             Traralgon   00:40:18

  7.  742 Martin Steer              DRV         00:41:11

  8.  755 Duncan Orr                Traralgon   00:41:44

  9.  750 Anna Orr                  Traralgon   00:43:05

 10.  745 Asha Steer                DRV         00:43:31

 11.  741 Janine Steer              DRV         00:53:26

 12.  754 Zoe Radford               MF-V        00:55:18

 13.  765 Jen Houghton              Traralgon   00:57:18

 14.  753 Peter Grover              DRV         01:01:38

 15.  744 Teri McIntyre             DRV         01:02:20

 16.  743 Lanita Steer              DRV         01:02:21

 17.  779 Darrel Cross              Traralgon   01:04:49

 18.  747 Liz Kenney                Traralgon   01:04:53

 19.  756 Mel Jones                 Traralgon   01:05:03

 20.  751 Peter Yeates              DRV         01:08:48

 21.  761 Steve Coleman             CHOC-V      01:11:11

 22.  752 Denise Pike               DRV         01:16:19

 23.  748 Pam King                  DRV         01:21:47

      746 Graeme Busch              Gippsland   DQ

Urban Adventure Series Morwell report

2011-12-23T02:52:00Z

The second round of the Orienteering Gippsland Urban Adventure Series was held in Morwell last night. A small but enthusiastic group enjoyed a warm evening around North West Morwell starting from the Morwell Leisure Centre. The course involved plenty of Christmas cheer as many controls were focused on finding Santa Claus', reindeer's and plenty of other interesting locations including the newly named Peter Siddle Oval.

Kathryn Ewels again took out the win, but was kept company by Traralgon Harrier Darrel Cross. They traded the lead throughout the 20 controls (30points) and finished together in an impressive 41.40mins for the full course of about 9km. Harriers marathon addict Ian Twite finished 2nd, also collecting all 20 controls but just missed the time limit in 45.41mins for a score of 29points. Hazelwood North's Todd Houghton and Rosedale's Richard Comber had a good battle for 4th and 5th- both finishing with 28points. Traralgon's Kylie Murray was the 2nd placed woman with an impressive 27 points. Kim Essex and Liz Kenney placed 3rd with 23 points.

There will be no street orienteering event next week, however there will be a special park orienteering race at Mount Baw Baw on New Years Day. If you are interested in attending please send Rob an email to rob@orienteeringgippsland.com.

The Urban Adventure series will continue at Churchill on Thursday 5th January for an exciting course around the Monash University Gippsland Campus.

Morwell Urban Adventure Series- Results


Position	Points	Name
1	30 (41.40mins)	Kathryn Ewels
1	30 (41.40mins)	Darrell Cross
3	29 (45.41mins)	Ian Twite
4	28 (44.07mins)	Todd Houghton
5	28 (46.46mins)	Richard Comber
6	27 (44.07mins)	Kylie Murray
7	23 (46.07mins)	Kim Essex
7	23 (46.07mins)	Liz Kenney
9	22 (39.50mins)	Matt Mullins
10	22 (42.00mins)	Mel Jones
11	22 (47:55mins)	Bob Duljas
12	21 (46:00mins)	Michael Hayward
13	19 (45.40mins)	Steve McLeod
14	16 (44.56mins)	Jen Houghton

Route from Kathryn Ewels and Darrel Cross

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2011-12-23T02:39:00Z

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Urban Adventure Series Traralgon report

2011-12-20T21:54:00Z

The first round of the Orienteering Gippsland Urban Adventure Series was held in Traralgon on Thursday. The race also doubled as the Traralgon Harriers Christmas run, with some fancy dress costumes and refreshments around the course. A small but lively group of Harriers took up the navigation challenge from the Traralgon West club rooms.

The series format involves a 45 minute score Orienteering race- where participants aim to collect as many of the 20 controls within the time period or receive a penalty. Good planning is essential to avoid running lots of extra distance and the Harriers showed a wide variety of natural navigation skills. One of the great features of Orienteering is that with good skills and a efficient route you are able to compete, and beat runners who are much faster than yourself. This was evident in the results and I'm sure we will see some good rivalries growing over the next 3 weeks.

It was no surprise to see national team member Kathryn Ewels on top of the results board, cleaning up the full 20 controls in 39.02mins. Closely followed was Ewel's HVP Plantations work mate Todd Houghton in 40.45mins. Todd has been showing some great improvements this summer and has the navigation skills to match. Equal 3rd place was Richard Comber and Michael Beeck in 43.45mins.

This Thursday's race will be held at the Morwell Leisure Centre just off McDonald Street.

Position	Points	Name
1	30 (39.02mins)	Kathryn Ewels
2	30 (40.45mins)	Todd Houghton
3	30 (43.54mins)	Richard Comber
3	30 (43.54mins)	Mick Beeck
5	28	Diana Van Rhine
6	28	Isaac van Rhine
7	27	Biasi Silvestri
7	27	Steve McLeod
7	27	Will Hanrahan
7	27	Dave Griffiths
11	26	Jen Houghton
12	26	Deb Piercy and Leanne Keating
13	25	Kylie Murray
14	25	Sue Elsdon
15	20	Matt Mullins
16	18	Darrell Cross
17	16	Kim Essex and Liz Kenney
18	15	Ian Twite
19	11	Ian Heafield
20	8	Simone Rendell
20	8	Belinda Issell

Winner Kathryn Ewels GPS route

So why go Orienteering?

2011-12-12T23:26:00Z

With the first race of the Gippsland Orienteering Series on this Thursday night in Traralgon, I though I'd give you a few reasons Orienteers love their sport, and why you should try it.

It’s an adventure sport – people love adventure, and what better adventure than to have to find your own way around an unfamiliar area. The adventure can be as gentle or extreme as you want. It might be a stroll around a park, or a fast-paced dash over mountains, cliffs and streams in a foreign country.

It's a sport for life - orienteering is a truly transgenerational sport. It caters for people between 8 and 80 both as a means of fitness, adventure, challenge and competitive sport. No matter what the level, weekend hacker or international elite, all ages young and old are able to enjoy the same forest at the same time.

Fitness - many of the ailments that afflict modern society are caused by a lack of exercise. Orienteering offers an enjoyable way of getting exercise - the mental challenge of navigation takes your mind off the fact that you're running/walking. Before you know it you're back at the finish having walked/run 3-8 km (depending on course selected).

Getting out in the bush - the Australian bush offers easy running in superb terrain. Bush events are centred around Winter - so you can enjoy the crisp/cool conditions punctuated by the occasional meeting with wildlife (kangaroos, wallabies) that share the forests with us.

Social atmosphere - although it's a competitive sport, the vast majority of orienteers don't take it too seriously. A key part of the sport is the social environment before and after events - where you can swap stories with peers or ask advice from more experienced orienteers. A network of orienteering clubs, covering most areas in Australia, offers nearby contacts who will help you out until you find your own way in orienteering.

It’s as competitive as you like – orienteering can be a gentle noncompetitive stroll or it can be taken to the highest level. Elite competitors compete in World Championships yearly and with training regimes similar to the best distance runners in the world.

Learn to navigate - while navigating through the bush can be very challenging, this is only for the advanced courses. Every orienteering event caters for a range of skills and fitness - a typical event offers a range of courses with distances of 2-18 km and navigational difficulty from Very Easy through to Hard.

It's a family sport - the range of courses provided offers one suitable for every person in the family from 8 to 80; there's even a string course for young children to entertain them and introduce them to some of the concepts in orienteering at an early age.

It's a kid's sport - orienteering builds confidence in young people. By allowing participants to take part in a range of courses - at their own pace - orienteering offers a non-threatening way of learning how to navigate and to increase fitness. Typically, orienteering gives 10-12 year olds the ability and self-assurance required to venture out alone and complete a 3-5 Km course through the bush. Orienteering gives young people a level of self-confidence that few other sports or pastimes can offer.

It's an adult's sport - orienteering is often known as "cunning running" - and as we get older, this cunning becomes more and more important. Orienteering is a sport in which the fastest runner does not always win; navigational mistakes can be costly - and a slow/accurate navigator will often beat faster less accurate people.

World-wide appeal - Orienteering is practised world-wide, in all kinds of terrain, from parks to deserts. Orienteering terrain varies from dense, impassable bush to treeless areas and from mountains to plains. Many international events are open to anyone whowants to compete, not just the elite. Australians travel overseas in their droves every year for some really international adventures.

It's well organised - if you like taking part in something that's really well run or even helping to run events, orienteering offers plenty of opportunity here. Most people that take part in orienteering events are surprised at the level of organisation that is apparent.

It's great value for money - prices vary - from $4 for park and/or street runs in the suburbs of Melbourne to $8-15 for bush events and major competitions. Championships are typically around $30. Higher prices are charged for events that use colour-printed maps and require a large amount of work to arrange. Low-key events such as street events or club events charge lower-prices. Given the time required to prepare especially made maps, check areas, make-up courses and check control sites, there are few, if any sports that can claim such high value for money!

Orienteering Gippsland - Urban Adventure Series

2011-11-24T04:30:00Z

Active Latrobe City residents looking for a new challenge can benefit from a new initiative by Orienteering Gippsland. The program is being overseen by two of the regions most successful athletes- Traralgon Harriers members and national Orienteering team members Rob Preston and Kathryn Ewels. As part of a national program funded by the Australian Sport Commission, Orienteering Gippsland's series will be aimed at introducing the sport to new participants.

Orienteering involves navigating around a course using a specially made map with just a compass for help. Traditionally the sport confined to bushland and forests hidden from the eyes of spectators and sometime requiring long drives from populated centres. In the last 10 years there has been huge growth in urban orienteering which is centred on park and street venues. Such is the demand for these events in Melbourne now there are seven separate series held in different parts of the city.

Orienteering Victoria sees Gippsland, in particular Latrobe City as a great untapped resource for Orienteering events said Program co-ordinator Rob Preston. While Gippsland lacks traditional bush orienteering terrain, there are many towns with quiet streets and beautiful parkland which makes it perfect for Street Orienteering. The Monash University Gippsland Campus at Churchill hosted the 2011 Victorian Sprint Orienteering Championships earlier this year, and is a perfect venue for both experienced orienteers and beginners explained Preston.

Street orienteering doesn't require any previous experience and is open for all comers. You won't need a compass. All you need to bring is a good pair of running or walking shoes, comfortable clothing and a drink for after the event. Participants are able to take part on their own or with a friend or group. The races format is a "Score Course" where the aim will be to collect as many checkpoints as possible in the 45minute time allowance.

If you've ever watched the Amazing Race on TV and thought I'd like to do that, then here is your chance.

Entries are cost just $4 for adults and $2 for children (Under 18yo).

Orienteering Gippsland - Urban Adventure Series

6pm Thursday 15 Dec 2011- Urban Orienteering Adventure- Traralgon
6pm Thursday 22 Dec 2011- Urban Orienteering Adventure- Morwell
1pm Sunday 1 Jan 2012- Mt Baw Baw New Years Day Orienteering Race
6pm Thursday 5 Jan 2012- Urban Orienteering Adventure- Churchill
6pm Friday 13 Jan 2012- Urban Orienteering Adventure FINAL- Traralgon

For all details check out the series website at www.orienteeringgippsland.com

Orienteering Gippsland- Wednesday 18 Jan- Urban Adventure- Traralgon

2011-11-23T23:53:00Z

OrienteeringGippsland- Wednesday 18 Jan- Urban Adventure- Traralgon
SERIES FINAL!

From TraralgonHarriers clubrooms- West Traralgon Sports Complex, Douglas Parade, off GrubbAve, Traralgon
register from 5.30pm for a 6pm start
for more information www.orienteeringgippsland.com

When Wed 18 Jan 18:00 –19:00 Eastern Time - Melbourne, Sydney

Where Traralgon Harriers clubrooms (map)

View Larger Map

Contact Rob Preston ph 0403296516 rob@orienteeringgippsland.com

Going? Yes - Maybe - No more options »

Orienteering Gippsland 5 Jan 2012 Urban Adventure- Churchill

2011-11-23T04:55:00Z

OrienteeringGippsland 5 Jan 2012 Urban Adventure- Churchill

Starts at ChurchillLeisure Centre at 6pm. Please arrive early to enter and get prepared.

For more information visit www.orienteeringgippsland.com

When Thu 5 Jan 18:00 –19:00

Where Churchill Leisure Centre (map)

View Larger Map

Contact Rob Preston 0403296516 rob@orienteeringgippsland.com

Going? Yes - Maybe - No more options »

Invitation from Google Calendar

Orienteering Gippsland- Mt Baw Baw Orienteering Adventure

2011-11-23T03:37:00Z

Mt Baw BawOrienteering Adventure

Traditional ParkOrienteering event around Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village with brand new Sprintstandard 1:5000 map produced by Rob Preston. What a great way to start the newyear!

When Sun 1 Jan 13:00 –14:00

Where Mt Baw Baw (map)

View Larger Map

Contact Rob Preston 0403296516 rob@orienteeringgippsland.com

Going? Yes - Maybe - No more options »

Invitation from Google Calendar

Orienteering Gippsland 22 Dec 2011 Urban Adventure- Morwell

2011-11-23T03:02:00Z

OrienteeringGippsland 22 Dec 2011 Urban Adventure- Morwell

December 22nd 2011Urban Orienteering Adventure- Morwell
Starts at Morwell Leisure Centre at 6pm. Please arrive early to enterand prepare your map.
For more information visit www.orienteeringgippsland.com

When Thu 22 Dec 18:00 –19:00

Where Morwell Leisure Centre (map)

View Larger Map

Contact Rob Preston 0403296516 rob@orienteeringgippsland.com

Going? Yes - Maybe - No more options »

Invitation from Google Calendar

Orienteering Gippsland 15 Dec 2011- Urban Adventure-Traralgon

2011-11-23T02:49:00Z

Orienteering Gippsland 15 Dec 2011- Urban Adventure-Traralgon

Starts and finishes Traralgon Harriers Clubrooms, Traralgon West Sports Complex- Corner of Grubb Ave and Douglas Parade, Traralgon)
Race starts at 6pm, arrive early to enter and prepare yourself.
For more information visit www.orienteeringgippsland.com

When Thu 15 Dec 18:00 – 19:00
Where click here for map

View Larger Map
Contact Rob Preston 0403296516 rob@orienteeringgippsland.com

Monash Gippsland Campus Orienteering experience- 13th October 2011

2011-10-14T03:37:00Z

35 Traralgon Harriers, including a few new comers, ran theOrienteering experience organised by national Orienteering team members KathrynEwels and Rob Preston. The Monash University Gippsland campus is an ideal venuefor urban Orienteering race, with picturesque parklands and complex array ofbuildings to add navigation challenges. The map was produced thanks to a grantfrom Victorian Government Community Planning and Development Grant and was usedfor the 2011 Victorian Sprint Orienteering Championships in March this year. Thecourse involved collecting 17 controls in any order throughout the campus inreturning to the finish. At the start runners dispersed in several directionsand a few packs formed as less confident navigators locked onto the moreconfident.

The van Rhine family dominated the top of the leaderboard,with Eli winning in an amazing time of 15.49mins. Isaac finished 2^nd,just edging out his mother Diane by 40seconds.

1	Eli van Rhine	15.49 (17 controls)
2	Isaac van Rhine	19.05
3	Diane van Rhine	19.45
4	Duncan Orr	20.41
5	Anna Orr	20.42
5	Morgan	20.42
7	Brian	20.45
8	Costa Demetrios	20.46
9	Darrell Cross	23.22
9	Todd Houghton	23.22
11	Edan Baccega	23.26
12	Liz Kenney	23.31
13	Mel Jones	26.10
14	Mick Beeck	29.54
14	Roger	29.54
14	Ben Bailey	29.54
17	Ian Heafield	30.20
17	Belinda Heafield	30.20
19	Bob Duljas	30.21
20	Velleda Bradford	30.28
21	Bruce Salisbury	32.58
21	Hunter Bailey	32.58
21	Jemma Bailey	32.58
21	Shannon Bailey	32.58
25	Dave Griffiths	38.05
25	Steve McLeod	38.05
25	John Jervis	38.05
25	Biasi Silvestro	38.05
29	Greg Semmler	25.21 (14 controls)
30	Karen Graham	24.11 (13 controls)
30	Sharon Dortmans	24.11 (13 controls)
32	Caitlin Campbell and friends	??

NSW Stinger's training log - Attackpoint

2009-06-11T11:57:27Z

Attackpoint lets athletes keep online training logs, post and view split times from competitions, and share training philosophy...

Homepage Intro

2009-04-02T12:10:13Z

BlackHeart Events present:

Adventure Racing Events, Australia-Wide (More...)
Adventure Race Training (More...)
Online Personal Training programs (More...)
Corporate Adventure Days (More...)
Adventure Training specific to the needs of the Defence Forces (More...)

Upcoming Events

Training Events

Date	Event	Location	Details
6 Jul - 30 Aug 2009	8 Week Adventure Blast	NSW	Here...
29 Aug 2009	Adventure Training Day	NSW	Here...
26 Oct - 20 Dec 2009	8 Week Adventure Blast	Victoria	Here...
19 Dec 2009	Adventure Training Day	Victoria	Here...
25 Jan - 21 Mar 2010	8 Week Adventure Blast	WA	Here...
20 March 2010	Adventure Training Day	WA	Here...

Sprint Adventure Races

Date	Event	Location	Details
30 August 2009	Sprint Adventure Race	NSW	Here...
20 December 2009	Sprint Adventure Race	Victoria
21 March 2010	Sprint Adventure Race	WA

24/12 Hour Adventure Races

Date	Event	Location	Details
6/7 March 2010	24 Hour Adventure Race	Victoria	Here...
10/11 April 2010	24 Hour Adventure Race	WA
12 - 14 June 2010	24 Hour Adventure Race	NSW

Latest News

:: Home : Robbie Preston's website

2009-05-05T06:15:04Z

Welcome to my Robbie's blog.