11/02/2024 – 2024 League 2 – Symond’s Yat

The terrain is a mix of coniferous and deciduous woodland with many depressions, gullies, platforms and ditches typical of the Forest of Dean. There is very little undergrowth throughout the area, though small areas of dying bracken and brashings might impede progress in places.

The area slopes from the east of the map towards the south, and west where the land falls over large rock outcrops to the River Wye. Courses are designed to keep orienteers well away from these rocks.

Symond's Yat is a very popular destination, and you will encounter members of the public, particularly near the assembly area. Please be courteous at all times.

Scale is 1:10,000 and 5m contours except for the Yellow course maps which will have a scale of 1:7,500.

The Start is approximately 800 metres from Assembly. The route follows the car park exit road for about 500m, then takes a good forest track on the right for the remainder. The route will be taped. Allow 10-15 minutes to walk. Exiting cars should be few and driving slowly - however, Juniors should walk with an adult.

The Finish is close to the Start. Return to Assembly and Download is the reverse of the route to the Start.

The String Course will be located close to Enquiries & Registration.

Touch free punching is enabled, but all runners must punch both Start and Finish.

Course details subject to final controlling. Course distances are straight line.

We will use SI Timing, in contact and touch free modes. All runners must however punch the Start and Finish controls.

There is a two-hour start window for this event. We are happy to accommodate split starts for parents provided:

Owing to the short day we will also start taking in controls as soon as courses close, so again, if you feel you may be out some time, come early.

The String Course will be located close to Enquiries & Registration.

Entry Details

Runners should enter the colour coded course which best suits their preference for NGOC or SWOA league points. In most cases the NGOC and SW league courses match and you can earn points in both competitions. However, if you run Light Green, you will only earn points in the SW league, and not the NGOC league (though all qualifying runners can earn BO ranking points).

Starts: 11:00 - 13:00
Courses close: 15:00, meaning that you must report to download before 15:15, or risk disqualification.

SI dibber hire: Standard dibber £1 Adults, Juniors free

Touch Free dibber: £2 Adults, £1 Juniors

Entries are now open, and will close at midnight on Wednesday 7th February.

Entry on the day is possible only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We should by then be able to accept credit/debit card payments, but this is not guaranteed so bring cash just in case.

A helper discount is available for those offering to help on the day. These events don't happen without volunteers willing to help out on the day, so if you are able to do so, before signing up to enter, email Ian Prowse, Volunteer Coordinator, to let us know if you can help, and ask for the helper discount code that you can apply when entering. You don't have to be a NGOC member to help, but you do need to be a BOF member to be covered insurance wise.

As the Government has removed all restrictions on events and activities, COVID related refunds are no longer available. The standard Fabian4 terms and conditions offer an automatic refund up to 2 months before the event date, and we do not normally vary this specification. That means that in most cases no refunds are possible, as we do not publish details until less than 2 months before the date of the event.

You can enter online for this event up to 7 February, so you can delay entry if unsure whether you can run until very close to event day.

Dogs are permitted on leads in the car park and under close control on the courses. /p>

Toilets are available in the car park.

Symonds Yat Rock Café will be open for hot and cold food and drink.

NGOC Club kit will be on sale at Registration and available to try on.

Orienteering is an adventure sport. All runners take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

You may encounter wild boar in the forest. They will usually depart very quickly but if they do stand their ground, back away and find an alternative route.

There are many crags in the area. Courses are planned such that no sensible route choice will take you over a dangerous crag. However, there are also steep banks, which in wet weather should be approached with caution.

The track from the final control (shared by all courses) to the Finish is relatively steep and could become very slippery if wet or icy on the day. Please take care if this is the case.

Parents of young children should be aware that there are very high crags close to the car park. Although these are fenced, please ensure that your children do not wander off unattended.

A Risk Assessment has been completed and a copy will be held at Registration.

A first aid kit and trained first aiders will be present at Registration. Note that we are not permitted to provide epi-pens or anti-histamine tablets in the event of stings. If you know you react badly to stings you should carry your own epi-pen or anti-histamine tablets.