Adults Improvers training course - advice sought!

[JonB]

Hi, I hope someone can help!

Do you, or a friend, know what the weekend Adult Improvers course is like at the National Orienteering Centre at Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore, Scotland? Have you been on it or know someone who has?

I am interested in going in March 2010. The course organiser is very friendly (via email) and the cost reasonable i.e. £40 for the weekend. However, when I factor in accommodation and travel from London, the cost soon rises. So, I just wanted to check it's worth it!

Cheers, Jon

[Copepod]

Can't help with information about the course itself, but can suggest a way to keep travel costs low. Caledonian Sleeper Bargain Berths are very good value from / to London Euston, provided you can spare an extra day to travel up on Thursday night and can get a berth back on Sunday night, which is obviously very popular. Then continue by train from Edinburgh, and I'm sure that Glenmore Lodge can pick from Aviemore railway station.

[JEP]

Might be worth asking Hilary Quick who is Scottish Development Officer based at Glenmore. She may even be the coach for the course.

Some great areas up there within 20 minutes or so from Glenmore including Loch Vaa.

hilary@scottish-orienteering.org

[graeme]

I assume you mean...

http://www.scottish-orienteering.org/na ... -schedule/

I'm pretty sure Hilary still runs the courses - I've not been myself, but I've only heard good things about it. I reckon Speyside has the best orienteering in the country for improving technique. Hilary has won a stack of titles, and certainly knows what she's talking about.

January might be a tad chilly, but if you go in March you won't have to do the WRE in the Trossachs. Hmm, maybe I should sign up for that myself...

[mappingmum]

I've been on one of these although it was 2 years ago now. This is what we did:

Met up 11am - introductory chat, explanation of the first exercise, things to aim for. Exercise(s) was to go out on your own on a 3 control "course". When you get back, discuss problems, questions with coach, then go out on another 3 control "course". Then another and another as time (and your ability) allowed.

After lunch, informal discussion/sharing about training, what we did, how often, lifestyle.

Then we did follow-the-line drawn on the map, with small controls hung at intervals so you could confirm you were on the line.

Next we went out in pairs - one person took the map and navigated almost to the control, then gave the map to their partner who had to find the control.

In the evening there was the opportunity to discuss orienteering "styles" and techniques with others on the course and learn from their experience.

The next day we went to a colour coded event in a contour rich area. Some people were shadowed/coached round, some went round alone, some did the contour-only course.

We finished with doing another individual course, in a fun way (to try and instill a sense of urgency/competition into our orienteering) on an adjacent area.

Hope that helps.

[JonB]

Thank you so much for all your comments and tips, it is much appreciated.

It is Hilary Quick who is running the course and she has been great in answering my questions via email.

From your comments it would seem the area is great, the course well thought of and Hilary an expert in her field. So, all good!

Cheers, Jon