Silly Ideas

[RJ]

I think there is a fundamental flaw in some of the thinking on regeneration of the sport.

Development should be concentrated in very localised areas; within a club area, or at the most within a small group of closely situated clubs. That way you are attracting new people from a 'closed' population grouping. If your informal events are regular then you are likely to get 'returns' for a second, third event.

The problem with the City Sprint Race Series and AR events is that you have to commit to a huge amount of travel. That surely isn't going to attract large numbers. The City Sprint Races are not there to attract new members into the sport.... they should be there to publicise the sport, create an image, and provide top competition for the elite. If the Lincoln event also results in new people joining LOG then that is a bonus.

The big events can showcase the sport and get the 'sport of orienteering' into the papers, onto the radio, and hopefully on the TV. They don't provide the new members, they merely increase the curiosity of the general public. The informal event structure, hopefully, would satiate that curiosity, and give the new members a route into the sport.... and ultimately show them how they also can compete at the next Lincoln City Sprint.... and of course, the Oxford Sprint later in the year!

[roadrunner]

Why should these casual orienteers join a club or BOF? Right now I dont see that there is sufficient financial incentive.

Are we really trying to convey the message that all you get out of joining a club (let alone BOF) is some form of financial benefit (i.e. cheaper entry fees)? If so, it's hardly surprising that we don't attract as many new members as we could.

[Fat and Forty]

The quotes below are from the feedback blog following yesterdays Orientator, certainly not a "silly idea", glad to see competitors taking Orienteering flyers from Mr Emit's display. Of about 150 competitors there were not more than 10 I recognised as regular orienteers.

Anonymous said...
Excellent. We really enjoyed it. It wasn't too difficult to follow the map and find the markers. The challenging part was finding the best route. We would definitely do it again and will consider taking up orienteering. A great venue. Our children (5 and 7) would love to do a shorter version (probably with grandparents helping).

Mad Uncle Bob said...
After a bad night with a nasty cold I nearly didn't make this, but I'm so glad I did. It really was great fun, and the organisation was excellent. everyone was so helpful and friendly so my two greatest fears - getting lost and coming last - were not realized. I'll be back next year, if there's another.

Anonymous said...
I enjoyed this event. Well orginised and very friendly. Keep them coming

Two of us ran together and enjoyed the whole event - it made a real change to do some thinking as well as running. My son would also welcome a junior version of this or similar - he has run a couple of 4K's and was itching to give this a go today.
Thanks Toby another smooth bit of organisation.

One hell of an event. Friendly and fun highly recomended, and definitely is an Adventure Race. Getting lost has never been so fun

I did the event with my Son, we are 44 and 25 so our fitness levels are very different. We had a great time. The whole event was great fun and there was a good friendly atmosphere with everyone helping each other without losing the competetive edge. Perhaps not as gruelling as an 'adveture race' but certainly an adventure all the same. See you next year. Well done.

excellent well thought out course for beginners
when is the next one

[SYO Member]

F&F, although I'm the OP, it wasn't me who called this thread 'Silly Ideas'. It was split from another in the summer by a Moderator who for some bizarre reason gave it this name.

As I recall, the postings prior to mine in the other thread were the silly ideas which is why this new sensible thread was created.