Alberta Championships 2021 and recreational orienteering

Alberta Championships plus recreational orienteering courses, near Caroline, AB Alberta September 25th and 26th,  with Covid restrictions

COVID-19 update [Sept 17]: this event is still permitted within the scope of the new public health restrictions.
Everyone will be required to bring a paper copy of Orienteering Canada’s Declaration of Health form to sign on the day (so print two!)
We request that everyone wears a mask (except while out on the course) and maintains physical distancing).
See also OC’s Guidelines for Club orienteering activities for individuals

This will be a Canada Cup event with Middle distance and Long distance races, but no Sprint.
There will be SPORTident timing , pre-assigned start times, no banquet, but a barbecue kindly provided by the AOA.

There will be appropriate courses for competitive age-based categories for men and women, from 10-and-under to 85 plus.

There will be a couple of Open categories for individuals who want to try an advanced course without going in their age category.

Beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate courses will be available for recreational orienteers at discounted fees.

Pairs/groups may enter only on the recreational courses.

Alberta Orienteering Association is planning a Junior Camp in conjunction with this event. Details HERE. Those going to the junior camp will still need to register for the courses.

Pre-registration and Covid Health Declarations will be required for all participants, including recreational orienteers. Bring your own water, snacks (and equipment if you own a compass, whistle)

Location and driving distances

From downtown Edmonton 240 km (2:30 hours)
From the 4 way stop in Caroline, go south on Range Road 61 (a.k.a Caroline South Road) for 9.5km. Turn east onto the oil lease road.

From downtown Calgary 150 km (1:45 hours)
North on Hwy22. After James River bridge turn west onto Twp 344. Turn north onto Range Road 61 (a.k.a Caroline South Road). Go north about 8km, then turn east onto the oil lease road.

Courses, categories and course lengths

Weather Forecast for Edmonton
Weather Forecast for Sundre

The Beaver Lake Map was first used for the North American Championships in 1990, but has had many revisions over the years, most recently by Don Riddle this year. Some vestiges of pre-ISOM2000 remain, such as green x for distinct tree. Download a pdf of the map here

Course planners notes
Terrain is gently rolling foothills with many swamps of varying sizes.
It has been a dry year so a lot of the swamps are dry.  There are also a number of large clearings.
It is a mixture of deciduous and coniferous forests.  There is some deadfall.  By the end of September the grass and tree leaves will have started to die so deadfall visibility should be better.
It is a grazing lease so there are cattle trails, and cattle.  An attempt has been made to remove the old trails that have disappeared from the map.  But only some of the new ones have been mapped.

FEES:
Age-based and Open categories:
Middle including BBQ:  adults $20,  juniors $10
Long: adults $20,  juniors $10
Recreational courses: $10 per individual/pair/family, each event, including SPORTident timing card and compass & whistle if you don’t have your own (driver’s licence required as deposit).  $5 for an additional map for pair/family going out together.

ACCOMMODATION:
Motel in Caroline: (10 minute drive)
Gateway Motel 4904 50 Ave, Caroline, AB T0M 0M0•(403) 722-3322
Many motels in Sundre (30 mins drive)
Campsites:
Municipal campground in Caroline with shower/toilet block. Hot showers available there for $10 each for non-registrants.
Burntstick Lake Campground 15 minutes from the map. Website
Random camping with no facilities will be allowed at the event site.

Organizers:  Don Riddle, Geraint Edmunds, Greg Yarkie
For more information, contact Marilyn

Registration now closed