Get2Go 2013 Report

Well what do you know, but we did it!!!! A team of Whangarei Girls and Boys High School Year 9 and 10 students went to the Get2Go Grand Final and came away with the win. What an amazing week we had, stunning weather, a vomiting bug, injuries, and more. But we made it through all of this to come out on top, just beating the team from the Naki. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Frances for all the help and support she gave over the week, and in the lead up to going. Both schools and parents have been so supportive of all the training's and commitment required to perform at the level we do. A big thanks to all our sponsors, as well as the Senior Adventure Racers, who gave up their time to support and mentor the juniors.
It is also important to acknowledge the huge amount of time and effort put into organising the event by OPC and Darren, it was a fantastic challenge. I hope you enjoy looking over the photos from the week, you are fantastic kids, who set high expectations and worked hard to achieve them.

Well done to Mackenzie, Callum, Flynn, Ella, Emma, Bill, Madi, and Matt. You deserve it!

Off to Great Barrier

Well its finally time to head off to Great Barrier and compete in the OPC Get2Go Grand final. What feels like months and months of hard work is finally going to be tested, and it is exciting to think that this time next week we will know if our training has prepared us well enough to compete at the high level that we set for ourselves. I would like to acknowledge all the adventure racers that have contributed to or supported the 8 members of the team, with special thanks to Daniel, Alex, Euan and Grace.
Keep an eye on the OPC facebook page for updates, and post your support for the team.

Liv

add this to your gear list:

Please make sure you also pack:

• One ice cream container of baking
• personal race food
• a sheet
• pen 
• paper
• change of clothes for night time

Make sure that your day pack is ready for the race that will be starting shortly after we arrive. you will need your race shoes, hat, race shirt, shorts, thermal, pen, paper, water, race food. We want to be as relaxed as possible so the more organised you are the more you can rest.

Make sure that you are at WGHS at 6.30am as we need to leave at 7.

Training this weekend 23-24th of November

Hey Get2Go Team,

Not long now till we head away to Great Barrier. The Hills have very kindly offered to take you on an adventure in Pukenui forest. If you are able to attend I think this would be a great training. Load your packs up with all the compulsory gear, and have a long tramp in the forest. There has been a slight change in plans, and I apologies for the inconvenience this may cause, but the gear check will be taking place after the training on Saturday Night. Please let me know on Thursday what you are able to attend. The times are listed below.

Meet at Amolin Drive at 3.30 in the carpark. (we are assuming that the training will run till 6pm) Then there will be a gear check at the Hills house, as well as a potluck dinner. I will give the team the address at training on Thursday night.

It might be easier to drop the gear at the Hills place beforehand.

I know that some people have hockey commitments that were made months ago, however I feel that this will be a valuable training as we start to tapper off.

Thank you to the Hills for offering up their home as the venue for the gear check and dinner. 

The Gear List for Get2Go

Polypropylene top and bottoms or thin

woollen top that can be worn close to

the skin for warmth. At least 2 sets are

advised

• Fleece or woollen jersey

• Waterproof raincoast with hood

• Woollen hat for warmth

• Sunhat (I will be giving you a sun hat)

• Shorts, t-shirts...etc ( I will be giving you 4 t-shirts)

• Swimming togs

• Underwear, socks...etc

• Running type shoes (these will get wet

and will need to be worn on water

challenges as well as on land)

• Pillowcase

• Sleeping bag

• Sleeping mat (for the expedition)

• Race pack (25ltr approx) for the

expedition

• Large plastic bags x 3 (rubbish bags work

well) to keep spare clothes and sleeping

bag dry while on expedition

• Torch/headlamp and spare batteries

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Drink bottle/bladder (at least 2ltrs worth)

• Wetsuit

• Toiletries

• Towel

• knife, fork, spoon, bowl...

Get2Go Overnight

Hi Team,
Sorry it has taken so long to get this information up on the blog. Here are the details for the overnight on the 23rd and 24th of November (who can believe we go to great barrier in three weeks!!), this camp will only involve the eight selected for great barrier. Please read through it carefully, and call me if you have any questions. I will update it through the week, and remember that there are no training's this week.

Meet at WGHS gym at 7.30 am- we will be loading the trailer. I also thought that this would save some parents having to drop you out to the Farm. I will be needing a couple of parents to help with transport.

At the moment we have planned to have Steve Gurney come and speak to you at 8.30am that morning, as well as any parents or family members that are keen. There is a small cost involved, $15 per person. It would be fantastic to get all the squad along to this, as his experiences and knowledge is far beyond anyone else's and how often do you have him to answer questions. I need to know numbers for this so please text me with how many people plan to come along so I can sort out a venue. This is open to Junior and Senior Squad members.

Gear List: (this is the gear list for great barrier, so best we get organised now)

Polypropylene top and bottoms or thin
woollen top that can be worn close to
the skin for warmth
• Fleece or woollen jersey
• Waterproof raincoast with hood
• Woollen hat for warmth
• Sunhat
• Shorts, t-shirts...etc
• Swimming togs
• Underwear, socks...etc
• Running type shoes (these will get wet
and will need to be worn on water
challenges as well as on land)
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat (for the expedition)
• Race pack (25ltr approx) for the
expedition (I will bring my 6 packs, so let me know if you need one)
• Large plastic bags x 3 (rubbish bags work
well) to keep spare clothes and sleeping
bag dry while on expedition
• Torch/headlamp and spare batteries
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Drink bottle/bladder (at least 2ltrs worth)
• Wetsuit
• Toiletries
• Towel
• knife, fork, spoon, bowl...for expedition'
personal medication (includes strapping tape)

Food:
Debbie is going to organise the food again, so please contact her to find out what you need to bring along.

Transport:
We will sort out transport on saturday, however parents can expect to pick you up on Sunday at 2pm.

This camp will be going ahead rain of shine (but lets hope for shine).

Have a good rest week.

Liv

Mountain Bike Orienteering

Check out this event, could be a lot of fun

http://www.mtbocarnival.com/schedule.php

Would be great training for ARC
http://www.arcevents.co.nz/arc2412/content/?page_id=13

Training on this weekend (2-3rd of November)

Hi Team,
I will give you the specific address at training on Thursday. However you will be in Parua Bay, and need to be out there by 11am on Saturday morning. You will be staying the night at my house, however you will be in tents. Sunday will finish up at 12.30pm.
This is a water based training, however I will have a support boat out with us and we will only be leaving the Bay if weather permits. If any parents want to come out and watch, you are more than welcome.

Deb has said that she will prepare dinner, and I have the breakfast sorted.

Gear List:
Race Gear
Thermal top and bottom
2ltr of Water
Lunch for both days
Race snacks
Rain coat
Hat
Wetsuit
Towel
Togs
Sleeping bag
Sleeping Mat
Running Shoes
Jandals
Fleece Jumper
Head torch
Whistle
Personal Medication

Training for Get2Go

Hi Team,
Here are the dates for weekend training's. Please let me know if you cannot make them, as they will require alot of planning and I really need to know numbers.

2-3 November: Kayaking overnight (Location to be confirmed, possible parua bay)
9-10 November: 2-5pm on Saturday at Girls High
                          8-3pm Sunday at Barge Park (this is the 3 hour rogaine fundraiser) This includes all adventure racers.
16-17 November: Personal training weekend (get a long run in)
23-24 November: Overnight (Location to be confirmed)
30-1 December: Sunday 2-5 (preparing gear and going over goals)

Our squad of twelve will be reduced by the 4th of November to the final 8 and 2 reserves.

Get2Go Selection

Hey Guys and Gals,
We have had a fantastic time over these last 6 months, developing our junior squad. It has come to that time where, due to training requirements, I cannot continue to train the 24 strong junior squad. As I said today, I have been so impressed with everyone's improvement and effort, and that if we were allowed to take more than one team, I would have no problems taking three very competitive and capable teams. please keep an eye on the blog, as we have still got other events and training's in the months that follow.

At this stage there will be:
Monday morning: Long distance running (anyone can come to this)
Wednesday morning: Fitness training for Get2Go Squad
Wednesday afternoon: Orienteering (anyone can come, but spaces will be limited depending on location, so you must text me to save a place)
Thursday afternoon: Problem solving (Get2Go Squad)

I will be putting a calender of events and training's up this weekend, so please have a good look at that.

The names below are the people who will continue to train for Get2Go Finals:

Ella Poole-Crowe
Matt Kingi
Flynn Hill
Callum Hill
Mackenzie Johnson
Grace Elliot
Madi Doar
Daniel McInnes
Euan Sapwell
Emma Moscrip
Bill Hamilton
Alex Godman

I know that there are 12 names there, but I will talk with the squad when we get together next week. As I said at training, this was a very hard decision, and we had to build a team that had a wide variety of skills, and of people that can work well together.

We will get back into full squad training when we return from Great Barrier.

Keep an eye on the blog for any further updates.

Auckland Rogaine Champs

I am sorry that we were unable to take you all down there, it was a numbers thing. Here is the list of names of those attending. We will see you at girls high at 7.30am, please be on time.

Ryan Houba

Elliot Houba 

Flynn Hill 

Euan Sapwell 

Matthew Kingi 

Bill Hamilton 

Callum Hill 

Daniel McInnes 

Shaan Hill 

Luke Wynne

Eloise Goodison

Bella Pollock

MacKenzie Johnson

Ella Poole Crowe

Julia Carter-Bell

Maria Pollock

Sarah Adam 

Grace Elliot 

Madi Doar

Sarah Barnes

WARTS in action

Here are some of the photos from various WARTS activities

HOLIDAY TRAINING

Hi Team,
Here is the plan for training in the holidays. This is for Junior and Senior Adventure Racers. I need to know numbers by the 1st of October, so please text or email me when you know your plans.

Dates for the over night training: 10th and 11th of October

This training will be held out at Whangarei Heads. It will start at 9am at the bottom of Harambee Rd, which is off Taiharuru Rd. And finish at Taurikura Bay at around 3pm on the Friday.
The overnight training involves, orienteering, problem solving, kayaking, and camping. We stay on private land, at a campsite, where there is running water, and toilets.
It is expected that any junior who is wanting to trial for the Get2Go team is there, but I also see this as a great way to up skill for all squad members.
Students will be required to organize their own food for the two days. There is a BBQ and gas cookers, however there is no fridge. It is encouraged that people get together to sort out their dinner plans, as there is no space for everyone to cook their own individual meal.
Tents are provided.
This training will go ahead rain or shine. You must come ready to train at Harambee rd, with all compulsory gear pack in you back pack.

Gear List:

Raincoat
Thermal Top and Bottom
Woolen Hat
Race food
2Ltr of Water
Personal Medication
Running shoes
Whistle
Thermal Blanket
Race Pack
First Aid Kit (one per team)
Cell Phone in a dry bag
(all items above must be carried at all times during the days training)

Towels x2
Togs
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Mat
Warm clothes for at night
Plastic Bag x2
Cooking utensils
Dinner and Breakfast
Lunch for both days
Jandals
$6
(please do not pack more items than you need, as all this gear has to be transported to the farm in one car)

Team Lists: 

Yellow:
Matt
Daniel
Ella
Mackenzie
Tia
Senior: Shaan and James (Bella on the Friday)

Orange:
Callum
Bill
Grace
Emma
Maria (on the friday)
Senior: Ryan, William and Luke

Green:
Flynn
Angus
Julia
Alex
Sarah
Senior: Taylor and Elliot

Please let me know if I have missed your name off the list. Even if you have not let me know about coming to the training, give me a call before Wednesday and I will put you in


These trainings are always a lot of fun.
Parents are more than welcome to come out and watch, especially on the Friday, as the teams will be taking part in water based activities.

Orienteering at Houtu 12th and 13th of October

This will be a fantastic opportunity to experience some fantastic orienteering. The maps at Houtu are really good, and challenging for all levels. I am happy to take people out on both days. Please click on the link below to find out details about the event, and about registering. I am happy to organize transport out to and back from the event.

There is also the opportunity to do some fund raising for our Junior team who are attending Get2Go finals on great barrier island. Last year we ran a bake sale, and I am keen to do this again. This will require squad members to get in the kitchen and create a slice or cake. You could bring them to the final day of the training camp, or we could meet at school on the Saturday.


http://www.maptalk.co.nz/events/event.cfm?e=4100
http://www.maptalk.co.nz/events/event.cfm?e=4101

Gear List for Auckland Champs Postponement date

Hi,
After finding out yesterday about the postponement of the event, they have just issued the new date. Please let me know if you cannot make the new time. If you were unable to make it this week, then I will accept new entries, so long as they get to me before the end of the first week of the school holidays.
NEW DATE: WEDNESDAY 16TH OF OCTOBER
Wednesday is going to be WET. Please make sure that you bring everything on the list. We will meet at the girls high gym at 7.30am. Please be on time.

Compass
Thermal
Race shirt and shorts
Running shoes
Plastic bag x2
Towel
Raincoat
Fleece Top
Water
Lunch
Pencil and Pen
Paper

Final P6 information

Hey Team,
Here is the final information for this Saturday. You will see the location is Totara Park, which google earth says will take 2 hours 14 minutes to get to from Whangarei. I would like us to be there 45 minutes before the race briefing at 8.45. This means that we will be meeting at Whangarei Girls High School Gym at 5.15am, with a departure time of 5.30am. Please do not be late, and I will try my best not to be as well. Make sure you have checked over the gear list, and that you don't forget your bike! (Matt)

Totara park includes some cool running trails through some amazing native bush and open paddock running through a large working farm.  Add into this a recently built mountain bike park with some lovely flowing trails and there is a bit of everything.  At first glance it looks like a small area but I assure you that the 6 hour participants will struggle to run out of terrain to explore!  I spent a few hours (22km)  putting our checkpoints and I didn't need to return to the event centre to finish each stage like you will!
Here are some images of the venue:

EVENT CENTRE - the event will be at Totara park as per the link above.  You get to the end of Waiere Road and follow the event signage around a one way system.  Then it's through a gate and into the event centre paddock.  Park anywhere in the paddock and this will be where you come back to for each stage.  So your car is your transition point.  Please note - you will need to lock your car when you are not there as we cannot ensure someone will be watching cars for the whole time.

TIMETABLE

• Registration from 8am.  Get there early to be all set up, so once you have registered you can use the full time possible to read all the information and absorb it all before race briefing at 8.45am.
• P6 Start at 9am  - with a wee puzzle before doing a 7 checkpoint prologue plod (foot) stage 1
• P3 Start at 12 noon - with a wee puzzle before doing a 7 checkpoint prologue plod (foot) stage 1
• Finish at 3pm
• Prizegiving soon-ish after

THE RACE FORMAT
There will be a mixture of formats during the day.  However, most stages will be rogaine style where you decide which checkpoints you're going to get.  Please ensure you read the instructions carefully.
In general the object of the day is to get points.  You can get points by navigating to checkpoints or by completing mystery activities. 
Each checkpoint is worth some points.  The more experienced may get all of these optional checkpoints, other teams only a few.
Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to do mystery activities to earn bonus points.  These are at the event centre unless specified and are voluntary unless specified and can be done in any order.
The amount of time on your feet/bike is dictated by your teams ability and fitness.
Please read the page in your racepack with the Checkpoint Descriptions carefully as it outlines when you are allowed to do certain things - stages and mystery activities.  Maps and checkpoint descriptions will be released throughout the day but we'll provide an overall summary of the day in your racepacks.
Please note - there is no  water activity this year so no tubes are required.
If you finish later than 6 hours of race time (or 3 hours for the P3) - 30 points per minute will be deducted for each minute/part minute you are late.  Your team is “timed out” if more than 30 minutes late.  
You are welcome to finish before the time limit is reached, as the result will be determined by your teams points scored (checkpoints score plus mystery activities score).
The main idea of the day is to have fun!!

THE TIMING - This year we are going old school with the timing and will be using a digital watch and manual clipcards for scoring.  Fear not, we'll guide you through this.  Basically, you will have a card which you record all the checkpoints you visit.  At the end of each leg, you'll tell hand this card to the finish officials and we'll work out how many points you have.  We recommend you bring a least 2 pencils per team (2B format recommended)

COMPULSORY CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT - The safety of our participants is important to us. For this reason we insist every participant carries certain minimum clothing and safety equipment.  If it's a nice day we may relax the warm stuff but please bring it along anyway - its good practice to run with all this stuff!
We will randomly select participants compulsory gear to be checked at registration and throughout the day.
Each Team will need: a good first aid kit (must contain as a minimum: 2 metres of adhesive strapping tape, 4 bandaids, 2 gauze pads, 4 cm width crepe bandage, 2 pain relief tablets (Panadol or similar), 2 anti-inflammation tablets), compass, mobile phone (with charged batteries), torch, bike pump and a bike toolkit.
Each person will need: a weatherproof parka, thermal gloves and hat, polypropylene or thermal long sleeve shirt and long johns, a survival blanket, a whistle, bike helmet.  Of course you will also need your mountain bike in the P6 (1 for each team member).

Please ensure you bring your own food as there is nowhere at the event centre to purchase any sorry.

Team Lists for P6

WARTS 1:
Darcy
William
Bella
Sara

WARTS 2:
Callum
Grace
Madi
Sarah

WARTS 3:
Luke
Alice
Eloise
Rob

WARTS 4:
James
Shaan

WARTS 5:
Matt
Angus
Julia
Maria

WARTS 6:
Flynn
Daniel
Alex
Tara

Please remember these groups, as you will need to sort yourselves out when we get down there, as well as organize gear between yourselves.

Training for P6

Hey Team,
I have already posted the gear list, so please make sure that you have a good read over that.

This Sunday (1.9.13) I was thinking that it would be a good idea to get out on our bikes for a ride, just to make sure that we remember how to ride and that our bikes are in good working order.

So.......Meet at the Advendure park entrance to Glenbervie Forest at 2pm (huanui side), we will be out till 5pm. Please check the blog the morning of, to make sure we are all go. If I haven't posted anything then its all on.

Gear Required:
MTB
Helmet
Thermal
Raincoat
Water
Food
Repair Kit
Pump
Running Shoes

Auckland Secondary School Rogaine Champs

Hey Guys,
The letter that was handed out from school was originally wrong. It had the wrong date and cost on it. I am so sorry for any inconvience this may have caused. Please read below:

Dear Parent/Caregiver

Taking place on 25^th September is the Auckland Secondary School Rogaine Champs at Shakespear Regional Park in Auckland.

This is a three hour event where students race in pairs collecting as many checkpoints as they can find within the timeframe.  This is another fantastic experience for our squad as they prepare for other events that take place over the summer season.

The cost of this trip is $30.00 ($10.00 entry fee and $20.00 for petrol donation) which is payable to the Whangarei Girls’ High School front office by Tuesday 17^th September.  Gear lists will be posted on the blog page the week before the event.  www.warts2warts.blogspot.com . 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me on 0274243582.  I will also be requiring parents to assist with transport, for which you will receive a donation towards petrol and not have to pay the cost of your child’s donation of $20.00. You also have the benefit of the anxious wait and pacing that comes with seeing your child finish.  Please note down how many passengers you can have in your vehicle.

If you have already paid at the office, you will need to pay the difference.

Liv

P6 Gear List

Here is the gear list for P6. Please make sure that you do bring all the gear that is required, as they won't let you race. Please let me know if you are having trouble with finding any of the items on the list.

Each person will need:
a weatherproof parka,
thermal gloves and hat,
polypropylene or thermal long sleeve shirt and long johns,
a survival blanket ( I can supply these)
, and a whistle.
compass,
torch,
bike pump,
bike toolkit
mobile phone (a waterproof bag to keep it in)
Mountain Bike
Helmet

Get2Go Regionals

Hey Guys and Gals,
Welldone to the all Juniors who competed in the Get2Go regional s on Tuesday. Some fantastic results across the day, and with the amazing 1st place overall. Welldone to Grace, Daniel, Bill, Tia, Madi, Julia, Bradely, and Connor. Your team consistently performed throughout all the activities and showed fantastic teamwork.
Now we are onto the next event, on the 7th of September. Please make sure that you let me know if you are keen to attend. Hopefully we can get good numbers down, to what is a highlight on the adventure racing calander.

Liv

Moutain bike clean up has been canelled

hey team, due to bad weather, the parahaki clean up day has been cancelled. will let you know the change of date.

Get2Go Gear Lists and info

Hey Team
So only one more week until the big event. Please make sure that you are at girls high gym at 7.30, so that we are all packed and ready to go by 8am. Thankyou to all the parents who put there hands up to help out, I ahve Mrs Hill and Mrs Pollock, to support me on the day. However please feel free to come and support our kids. The race briefing is at mains rd at 8.45.
Here is the gear list for Get2Go regionals on Tuesday. Please make sure that you have all the gear, as failure to do so means that you will not be able to compete. Let me know if you have any difficulties with gear, and I can help.


Gear list (individual )
Clothes and footwear (appropriate for running and biking in that may get wet and
muddy)
□ Solid running/sports shoes
□ Warm layers of clothes (bring spares just in case it is really cold)
□ Warm hats/gloves
□ Sunhat/sunscreen
□ Spare socks
□ Shorts/t-shirts…etc
□ Raincoat/windbreak jacket
A spare set of warm dry clothes and a towel for after the water activity (be prepared to
get totally wet. You never know!)
A wetsuit for the water activity (optional but highly recommended!)
Plenty of food and water (for the whole day)
Personal medication – inhalers…etc
A whistle
A camera (optional)

Gear List (Team)
A basic bicycle repair kit to fix punctures, including a pump that fits both bikes. You
never know tyre changing might be part of the activity!
At least 4 safety approved mountain bike helmets, to be shared by the team.
At least 2 compasses (for the orienteering challenge)
A least 2 watches that work for timekeeping
Pens/pencils and paper may be useful
.

Parihaka MTB Park

Hey Guys and Gals,
This weekend on Sunday is the Parahaka MTB Club working bee, which is taking place at Parihaka MTB Park (Abbey Caves Rd). I would really appreciate it if people could attend it for an hour to help give back to the club that creates alot of the MTB tracks we cycle on. IT starts at 9am, and they ask that you bring your own tools, gloves, and sturdy boots, however they have got some there. BBQ afterwards.

Training This Weekend (4th of August)

Hi Team,
This weekend we will be heading to Huanui College for a rogaine. Please be there at 9.30 so that I can get you into teams. Cost will be $3.00 per person. Please bring a thermal, fleece, water, running shoes, snacks, and personal medication. It is really important that you come to this event, as it will be good training for other events.

Once we have finished at Huanui at 11am, we will head down to Mains Rd, off vinegar hill rd. YOU MUST BRING A REFLECTIVE VEST!!!!!!!! This training will finish at 1pm. We are able to transport students, but you need to let me know when you arrive at huanui that you require a ride.

This is for seniors and juniors.

WARTS @ NZSSOC

Here are some photos from the 2013 New Zealand Secondary School Orienteering Champs. Welldone to all students who took part, with some impressive results, and a big congratulations to the Hill Boys!!!! Had a wicked time away, Napier really put on some spectacular weather.