Surf Coast orienteering series gets under way

Torquay's Heather Leslie at last year's Surf Coast Series at Point Lonsdale Beach.

THE first of four 2020 Surf Coast Series orienteering events was held on the weekend in Barwon Heads.

The series, which now heads to Point Lonsdale, St Leonards and Queenscliff, has become very popular in recent years, with individual events at times attracting close to 100 participants.

Race co-ordinator Jenny Sheahan said people can treat the event as a laid-back exploration, or as a more intense competition.

“It’s open to any age group and any ability. People with their prams, people with their dogs on a lead all attend.

“It provides an ideal opportunity for mental and physical exercise during summer. And if you can walk to the local shops than you’re fit enough to participate. You don’t need a compass or any special map reading abilities.”

The different events now use an app on their phone that beeps to confirm when they are in the right spot.

Ms Sheahan says it also provides people with a chance to socialise and explore the local area.

“They all come back (once they’ve finished) and have some light refreshments and see how far they went, or where other people went.”

“It’s just a good fun way of exploring your local area, and some people find also sorts of things they haven’t found before.”

The Surf Coast Series will move to Point Lonsdale on January 11, St Leonard on January 18 and finally Queenscliff on January 25. All events begin at 4pm.

The series is entirely run by volunteers.

Entry is $5 for adults and $3 for people under 21.

Soon after the Surf Coast Series finishes a Geelong-based Thursday Night Summer Series that begins January 30.

People can sign up for any of the remaining events at vicorienteering.asn.au.