The number of drop-ins from the public was disappointing, with less than a dozen taking part. But the seeds may have been planted for future orienteerers.
For the last of three events in Whitehorse to celebrate National Orienteering Week, the Yukon Orienteering Association set up a short and long course through downtown Whitehorse Thursday aftenoon. Although only a handful of people from the public came out to tackle the courses, more than 100 students from FH Collins Secondary and Wood Street School came out to put their navigational skills to work.
“I was hoping to get all the government personnel that work around this area out, but I think because the weather has changed a bit today (numbers are low),” said event co-ordinator Nesta Leduc.
“We didn’t time (the orienteerers) because it’s an event for the public to enjoy, it was not a competition. It was to raise awareness of our sport.”
Before setting off, students received a brief introduction by one of the top orienteerers in the territory, Colin Abbott, 18, a junior national team member who has competed internationally.
“It was a bit of crash course on orienteering,” said Abbott. “How to orientate the map, some of the major features on the map and how you can tell where you are. Those are the essentials that you need.”
The next meet will take place around Miles Canyon starting at Chadburn Lake Road on May 20. Registration begins at 6 p.m.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com