Event Team

I have been doing Orienteering since 1999 where I began with the HBOC and then on to AOC when I finished school. It has taken me to many wonderful places including all over the North Island, limited parts of the South Island and even to Australia. I love the personal challenge of not just stringing together one or two controls well, but seaching for that ever elusive "perfect run".

The most epic courses I have done would be the M21E 2009 Oceania Long Distance at Craigeburn while sick, with the M17-20E 2007 Australian Long Distance Champs while hungover a close second.

Silliest moment while Orienteering would have to be running off a cliff at Waitangi 2007 on the map Kaahu when I glanced at the map at the most inopportune time, while trying to run away from two Australian women elites and subsequently ran off a cliff - concussing myself and spraining my ankle in the process, although I did beat them to the control.

Started O’ing in ’83 with a 1 year old on the back and a 4 yr old reluctantly walking along. Did a 180 the first day, got lost in the cutty grass and rain – lucky to come back again! Dedicated attenders of WMOC. Set first national sprint championships and loved this event ever since – especially round the streets of European towns.

Latest toy: Young car.

Photo: Stewarts looking for a new SPRINT map!

Club orienteering since 1974, but did something called orienteering at Mt. Roskill Grammar in 1963. Now getting very sluggish, so have to resort to making maps. Had a fascination with maps from childhood. Also enjoy tramping and cycling.

Latest toy: is the GPS.

Favourite Drink: Spanish red wine.

Started orienteering in 1990, after a background in running. Found I got quite excited by pine trees, so kept doing it. Set and controlled many courses over the years. Also passionate about surfing.

Best Orienteering Moment: Representing New Zealand in the ANZ Challenge.

Stupidest Orienteering Moment: Running in to a manuka tree while reading the map.

Latest Toy: Longboard surfboard.

Family: Married to Sharina last year. She is now a fast improving orienteer.

Generally like to keep a low profile, but came on to the O scene radar around 2002 or so, having previously had a solid background in the outdoors generally, with an affinity for the odd adventure or two (for the main purpose of telling tall stories afterwards). Loved the O scene and people in it and wondered why I didn't get into it earlier!

Best O moment/s - beating anyone with the name Jeff, Hamish, Paul (x2), or Marquita, and/or anyone 20 years younger than me, or Australian. In all seriousness, I love the banter and friendly competition before and after each event. Love long or epic events - Jeffs Great day O was a belter, as was running the Oxfam Trailwalk with a bunch of mates..

Dumbest O moment - concussing myself on a tree at a lactic turkey rogaine seemed pretty dumb, although I seem to have pretty regular dumb moments in most races as well!

Family - I have a poor suffering partner Jen, and son Jesse - both stars and deserve medals for putting up with me :-)

Favourite toy - I love my bikes, and anything mechanical for that matter. Have an odd penchant for petrol camping stoves.

Favourite drink - hard to beat a can of coke straight after a run, or if its in the evening, mixing some of Rob G's dodgy rum with it has appeal.

I first got introduced to orienteering 3 years ago and have loved it ever since! The mix of mental and physical is just the right thing for me! It gives me a great satisfaction when I download my times and there is no mp on that little paper ;-)! I am an orienteer forever!!!

My little girl, Natalie (7 years), is now interested as well! That makes me so happy, it is a good skill to have.

Best moments: when I can beat Katherine Bolt who has become a very close friend and is my direct competition too!

Worst moment: Needing almost 3 hours to finish my course after a great night out with lots of alcohol!

Night event: I will not accept any complaints what sort ever after the event! he he he....

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A friend dragged me along to a summer series orienteering event that she had seen advertised. I ran around the course like a headless chicken, whilst been beaten to each control by a couple with a baby in a backpack - I have improved a bit since then.

My younger sisters would say that years of organising them would give me some of the skills required to co-ordinate an orienteering event.

In my spare time I love to explore... tramping in NZ's wilderness to intrepid trips around the world.

My tip - stay hydrated, brains don't work so well when they are thirsty. Oh and beware if you are doing the night event, who knows who, or what, you may bump into.

Been about 15-20 years orienteering, got suckered into Orienteering due to Tony Nicholas’s creation of “What is Orienteering” in a public stand at Three Kings Public Library. Lost about 2-3 years of Orienteering due to studies at Unitec a few years back, gaining a BSC (Bachelor in Computing Systems) in the process and lost fitness to lowest level while studying at Unitec.

Like short intense runs with difficultly – hate long runs in hot weather.

Best times? when I was more fitter before Unitec studies.

Worst times? Hate being stung by electric fences

Best drink: A nice cool drink on hot days either a Diet Coke or an Orange milkshake.

Memorable O moment? Taking a couple of minutes on course to stop and take in the awesome views! Sometimes its just got to be done.

Favourite Drink? I get dehydrated very easily so water is always on the O-list and usually in my Camelbak. I feel lost without it. 50:50 Cranberry and Water goes down well, but a sports drink with a kick of Potassium and electrolytes to combat loss is my pick.

Trick or treat?: Trick: Before an event - Get a good nights sleep and be well hydrated. On the way to the start study the vegetation and local terrain. During Prestart check which way is north, concentrate, and think about your o-techniques and having a good run. Treat: I'm looking forward to the BBQ and drink after finishing the events!