Some big (but definitely friendly and approachable) names in orienteering on both sides of the Tasman are helping us get the word out about Oceania 2025. Thanks to our ambassadors Lizzie Ingham, Brodie Nankervis, Joseph Lynch and Emily Sorensen for spreading the news.
Keep an eye on their socials for training ideas and other Oceania prep as we get closer to the time, or read on for their thoughts on what makes Oceania special and how they approach orienteering in the coastal forests of New Zealand.
And of course don’t forget to say hi if you bump into them around the event centres next January.
Do you do anything different in our sand dune forests? How do you approach the terrain?
Lizzie: “Sand dune forest terrain generally has very good visibility. Taking a good bearing and having your head and eyes up can go a long way to solving a leg. If you can identify a distinct dune in the mid-far distance, that can take all but 50m of navigation out of a leg. Then it’s all fine navigation into the circle.”
What are you most looking forward to at Oceania 2025?
Brodie: “I have my eyes set on getting one of the wildcard spots for World Champs as regional champion. Long distance is my preferred discipline so I’ll be focusing on that, but I know the Kiwis won’t let me have it easy!”
What should orienteers do more of to improve their skills?
Joseph: “Something I believe we can all improve is analysing what went right and wrong on a course and making some key points to work on. I suggest writing on the back of your control descriptions and putting it back in your holder so you have a reminder for next time.”
What are you most looking forward to at Oceania 2025?
Emily: “I’ve been meaning to get over and run on NZ sand dunes for years but it’s never quite lined up so I’m looking forward to finally having the chance to do so! I’m also really excited to catch up with orienteering friends.”
We were also lucky enough to get some sage advice from Orienteering Australia head coach Tash Key on what Aussies should expect from our forested dunes, and how our events fit into the 2025 orienteering calendar – many thanks Tash! In short, if you’re an elite orienteer in Oceania you should be booking your holiday time for next January.
Do you do anything different in our sand dune forests? How do you approach the terrain?
Tash: “It’s so open and soft, and that’s where the Australians will need to do some strength training, because we’re not used to running in the real soft ground. One of the techniques I’ve found from all my travels to New Zealand is that you have to look for the down features, which we don’t often have to do in Australia. Follow those depressions through and look for the small little ridges. So that’s two things – get stronger legs for the soft terrain and really learn to read the down contours.”How does Oceania 2025 fit in with the Australian calendar?
Tash: “It’s at the start of our season, like it is for you guys, and in 2025 it’s actually going to be the first round of our National Orienteering League. I think it’s fantastic that OA have agreed to that and it will hopefully encourage a lot more Australians to come and attend Oceania. The Oceania forest races are also part of the selection criteria for next year’s World Orienteering Championships.”