Seeking explanation for understanding Event Schedules
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Topic created by jchinthe on Sat Apr 21, 2018 at 1:39 pmI've been a member of DVOA for about a year since I've started working periodically in the Philly area. Whenever the weather's nice, I'm in the area, and I see an event, I try to participate (I'm a slow-moving, old, yellow/orange kind of orienter and I'm in it for the exercise and outdoor enjoyment. My landnav skills are excellent and I'm an experienced backwoods person, but I'm neither interested in nor in shape for cross-country running, so time available limits the color of routes I undertake.).
I'd appreciate someone explaining how to understand the postings for the events on the schedule (sending me a personal email is fine, so as not to bore the rank and file).When an event, Four Mile Circle on 29 Apr, for example, is posted, it's clear to me what's involved, where it's at, and the details needed to participate. On the other hand, I see events listed as simply "West Point A" or "New England A" with a date and no other info. Could someone please explain how to interprete these kinds of listings and whether they're events that would possibly be open to/of interest for a novice, enjoyment-seeking person, or are these more "serious" events that are already known to and only suitable for the hotshots in the fancy outfits and cleated shoes (in which case, I'll just not bother worrying about them when I see them listed)?Thanks, John Conley -
Reply by BRycharski on Sat Apr 21, 2018 at 5:35 pmYou asked, "When an event, Four Mile Circle on 29 Apr, for example, is posted, it's clear to me what's involved, where it's at, and the details needed to participate. On the other hand, I see events listed as simply "West Point A" or "New England A" with a date and no other info. "
Then you asked " Could someone please explain how to interpret these kinds of listings and whether they're events that would possibly be open to/of interest for a novice, enjoyment-seeking person, or are these more "serious" events that are already known to and only suitable for the hotshots in the fancy outfits and cleated shoes (in which case, I'll just not bother worrying about them when I see them listed)?" John C
John its easily explained from the DVOA perspective a (I am a DVOA member fyi). Lets just say don't ask me about the alledged list of training events 4 a wookie neighbor club, we might both typing or exploring an explaination for Hans Solo to planet hop 2 using hyperdrive ... for days :-) .
The A meets are special USOF events and are found on the USOF US O federation web site. See and navigate the following ... www - https://orienteeringusa.org/events
once there they List the NATIONAL A or AKA pre-registration needed events (with beginners sometimes allowed to Walk on, a newbies loop hole).
under "Find Events", scroll down to ... Nationally sanctioned events (formerly known as A-meets)
Lets pick one, pick the ROC (Rochester) A meet in May. Click on the link, annd it takes you to the Hosting Club registration and description of the event page. For example, the event offered might be a Night O, A Relay event (you need to join a 3 or 4 person team, perhaps and A meet - in general are 2 or 3 day total score events...), or just regular Foot O. Sanctioned event means simply to me that the Club has special rules in setting and checking the Control Flags, and reports to write showing personell working the event and Club management - progress in securing permits, Meeting facilities, busses (perhaps) and even metals or trophies for the top 3 fastest orienteers in very fancy age category's (which is for someone else to explain). lets just say I am 60 years old, and a male.
In this case ROC is running an event to determine USOF Foot O rankings. Thats a special list I will never rise high on, so I will be unlikely to be interested, and thats cool; but the local and non-local O Hotshots will definately rise to the occassion and be in O attendance. And for example there is a 10 per car state park entry fee, so car pooling into Letchework park is encouraged (split the park entrance cost with a O buddy). In respect to ROC officials, I am woring for DVOA at MASOC #30 (as a O Meet Official) , so attending there fine ROC event and great sounding Grand Canyon of the east - park will wait another day for me personally. Oh, and I personally love Rochester (great Falls views), I have some HO Railroad modelers/clubber friends up there that next time I will go.
To earn a O metal (A meet gives winner awards) , I (Bob R, Green course, slower that an Pennsy mountain glacier sometimes ... :-) ) you have to be sucessful in the age group from age 60 to 65 (age). people above or below that age range have other options and very differing courses. That and there are M-open and F open (Open = Any age) courses, so every one can actually run any event's course optionally).
And to make it easy for Non-registered people (beginners) whom want a White, Yellow or Orange course, but none of the hassle of registering formally and pre-paying the event registrar, sometimes the Locals can just show up but you can not get O metals in that case, just bragging rights.
In summary. you as a beginner are welcome to attend a A Meet
* It requires 20 days or more to email a registration packet and pre pay via check or Pay Pal
* If its far away, you need a hotel or friends to house you as they are typically far away unless its in you clubs area.
* Its in general fair orienteering but in general the courses are a bit more technical (aka harder).
* may be 2 or 3 days long, or a week in exceptionally special summer events
* More people attend, 150, 300 or 400 sometimes, so starts are pre-assigned (you get a start line appointment) In the A meet case (not the beginners O meet courses that are sometimes offered, they are as you walk on if available (of interest to you John) ...
* You are tested, The O A Meet venue is usually on a Brand new map or a map specially selected for scenic or highly technical orienteering terrain . the venue can use the same map on 2 days, or the event can have two separate maps in the same Club area . You can hike One or both weekend days (very optional). Runners can not enter the venue area/park in advance for One year (technical embargo).
* you meet friends and can make friends (sometimes you car pool) at the start or finish line, for example today I met Sara Mae Berman, Ed H, and Stefan S , Sam L (QOC - new friend) and George Hawes (Old friend) etc., at the finish line, along with numerous polite USMA cadets (remember to ask them there home town and state, they like that) Icebreaker alert!).
* A Meet - they are definately not for HOTSHOTS, else they would deny me A meet attendance (My nickname is Bob Not-ahotenshot Rycharski). Bottom line its interesting, well run, a challenge and multi day. Also O shoe and material vendors are almost always located at A meets, should you need a new compass or some O Basic 101 books or just new shoes for orienteering. Oh, Its fun!
* Ask me any other questions via the E board, that was AN EXCELLANT Question, worthy of a prompt reply!! A Meets ROCK, they are highly Entertaining , and also I will say a bad day at an Orienteering A meet is way better that an golf date or a bad day at work - IMO I personally had a West Pont Blast!!! today. More joy tomorrow! Bob Rycharski (DVOA)
Be seeing you in the Woods John Conley, Local or in a A meet Good Luck!
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Reply by camperpat on Sun Apr 22, 2018 at 8:16 amps. there is no check mark next to Four Mile Circle so that event may not be actually be going to go off for one reason or another like permits or lack of volunteers to support that eventAlso. the mid week sprints have no start times on them so I found that confusing also.
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Reply by kathyu on Sun Apr 22, 2018 at 11:26 amDon't worry, Bob tells me the permit is all in order for 4 Mile Circle. The check mark is on its way.A meets aka national meets are fun, but require some advance preparation and cost more too.The sprints are early evening weeknight meets (times will be added later) in the heat of summer. Highly recommended! The courses are short.A fact I learned recently -- click on the event name for google directions to the start.
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Reply by kathyu on Sun Apr 22, 2018 at 11:41 amAnd by the way, Mount Penn Antietam is going to start at Rotary Park, a baseball field. Your car or phone nav will take you right there!
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Reply by ErikEddy on Sun Apr 22, 2018 at 10:50 pmSimply, those events are hosted by other clubs with information on their pages and are used as a reference for club members that may be interested. Most likely they are national events which are completely open but have a higher cost and production value. Great point, more info should be posted as that's obviously confusing to newcomers. Thanks for asking!
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Reply by Guy-O on Mon Apr 23, 2018 at 0:42 amOne thing I have found that makes DVOA's online schedule difficult to read is the practice of posting all event info on the schedule page, rather than on a separate page for each event. This can result in one event's info filling the entire screen (kind of like Bob's reply above.... ;-D) . On top of that, if I want to send someone a link to a specific event -- or post it on the HVO schedule -- I can't; the best I can do is provide the link to the schedule page and advise interested parties to "scroll down".Interestingly, separate pages already exist, but are primarily about the venues, rather than the events themselves. How hard would it be to modify these pages to hold the full info for events?
