Event lessons learned notes
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Topic created by FredR on Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 7:55 pmI've been thinking through what could be learned from my experience as Director and Course Setter, as I'm still a relative novice at both. I'd be glad to hear alternative viewpoints or better ideas. Here are some notes from the Springton Event:
- It was probably a mistake to set a control on that island for Brown and perhaps Yellow. WIth the recent rain, the water was higher and rocks wetter, which could have been too dangerous for some runners expected on those courses.
- If anyone else wants to try creating training courses like I did, keep them really short (it might have been too much to do a training and competition course, particularly in the heat), and clearly mark the maps to distinguish training from competition.
- Buy more cookies.
- When hanging controls, take down the streamer so people don't see it before the flag (I hang my streamers high so I can find them easily when hanging controls). Ed Scott (I think) suggests laying them next to the bag as evidence.
- When picking up controls, make sure people grab the streamers too. I don't think the parks appreciate our streamers left hanging all over the place.
- Make sure people picking up controls have suitable bags/packs to securely stow what they pick up.
- Be prompt about picking up controls at the stated time, and creative when trying to start earlier. I've always felt grateful to people who stick around that late and cover all that ground to pick up controls. Try to show that gratitude in valuing their time as much as possible.
Thanks again to everyone that made the day a success. Fred
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Reply by edscott on Sat Jul 28, 2012 at 5:50 amRe the streamers: Back before we used epunch stands I put them exactly where I wanted the string to be attached. Now I often tie them to a stick and put where the pin for the stand is to be stuck in the ground. I know Mark Frank and probably others used to hang them high and move them down when the flag was placed.Re the island.. the water felt good.
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Reply by anniemac on Sat Jul 28, 2012 at 9:16 amI liked the island control. There was fair warning about getting wet, but the rocks were there for those of us too dainty to take the plunge (me!)
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Reply by Len on Mon Jul 30, 2012 at 11:57 amI liked the island control. It was unique but I can see the need for the non-island course. One of my sons relayed an interesting story of an orienteerer trying to get over to the island. I also liked the training course as I usually dont... (almost never) take the time to set a bearing and pace count. This gave me a chance to slow down and think about what I was doing - and not doing. And as an added bonus I got to have Sandy F. follow me to point things out on the map, ask thought provoking questions, and answer mine.
I thought you were an old pro Fred, so thanks for the huge effort in putting it all together. It came off very well. -
Reply by kathyu on Mon Jul 30, 2012 at 5:32 pmI liked the island control too, although I was glad we didn't have heavy rains. I saw a little Bambi splash across the creek and up the bank right before me! Really a pretty sight.
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Reply by randy on Fri Aug 3, 2012 at 4:20 pm>> When hanging controls, take down the streamer so people don't see it before the flag <<
The mindset is supposed to be "find the feature, not the flag". So long as the flag is visible from the point in space described by the feature, you are good to go. Don't sweat it; random streamers in space occur, and are the same for everyone (therefore any question of fairness or unfairness, which much be the the only concern of querent, are obivated). Just make sure the flag is visible from the point in space described by the feature.
That said, it would be nice if the flag were only visible from the point in space described by the feature, but such standardization is unlikely, and is out of scope of the querent's query.
As for the island question, a friend of mine liked it. Its all good.
