The SA Schools Orienteering Championships took place this week at Belair National Park, after two false starts due to severe weather warnings. The over 200 enthusiastic students representing 26 schools did not seem concerned by the slight drizzle that gave way to clear skies during the presentation ceremony. When waiting for their races to start, they practised their navigation skills in the new Orienteering SA maze, with boundless energy.
Special mention to one of the Heathfield High students who by labouring on for over 90 minutes and being one of the last competitors to finish, successfully completed the course and thereby secured the trophy for Heathfield High for another year, proving that perseverance pays off!
Our individual results with 74 prize-winners on the podium, can be seen online: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/ResultList?eventId=22978&groupBy=EventClass
The Williams (Primary School) trophy was won by Coromandel Valley PS 45 points, second Crafers PS 25, third - Woodside PS 20.
The Wale (Secondary School) Trophy was won by Heathfield HS 20, St Johns Grammar SC and Urrbrae AHS both 18 in second place.
Our special guest, local Belair National Parks and Wildlife ranger Joseph Gallasch, presented the awards for all the winning students. Our SA State Team Junior Development officer Kate Marschall presented our current 2025 State team. She also handed congratulatory packages to all the winners.
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The much-loved Friday evening Twilight series returns, kicking off on 14 November and running at convenient locations across Adelaide. It’s the perfect way to enjoy warm summer nights while sharing our great sport with friends, family, and newcomers.
Grab the program — download and share, or pick up a printed copy at your next event.
Enter on Eventor — use the all-in-one link for November/December to make signing up quick and easy.
SA Orienteers have competed over the last week at the Australian Orienteering Championships and the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships in and west of Brisbane. Warm to hot weather for most events necessitated early starts, in particular for the schools team at the ASOC events.
The carnival began with the Australian Sprint Championships at the University of Qld, and great arena at their soundshell. The following South Australians who made it to the podium - Robin Uppill - 1st W70A, Paul Hoopmann - 1st M75A, Zoe Carter - 2nd W21E, Emily Sorensen - 3rd W21E, Lexie Ashforth - 3rd W40A.
Zoe, Emily and Leith Soden have made it into the top 8 fastest for women's elite and men's elite and are about to race in the Dash for Cash!
The Australian Long Championships at t Platypus Cliffs in the catchment of the Wivenhoe Dam, was a long and hot event for many. To say courses were tough is a huge understatement. Conditions were hot, the grass was long (where it hadn't been burnt) and the hills were hilly. Very hilly!
Congratulations to the following South Australians who reached the podium:
Emily Sorensen - 1st W21E
Bridget Uppill - 1st W21Sport
Toby Cazzolato - 1st M21AS
Simon Uppill - 1st M35AS
Euan Farquharson - 1st M14A
Adrian Uppill - 1st M75A
Paul Hoopmann - 3rd M75A
Duncan Still - 3rd M18A
Lexie Ashforth - 3rd W21AS
Lan Kelly - 3rd W55AS
The ASOC events comprised a very technical sprint map at Forest Lake Senior College, a Long Distance event at Old Hidden Vale and a Relay on a small area with deep erosion gullies – Deebing Creek. Most of the SA team found the courses challenging, however congratulations the SA Senior Boys - 2nd in the 2025 ASOC!! Amazing orienteering by Duncan Still, Ben Marschall, Austin Clem and Marcus Cazzolato.
Orienteering South Australia is extremely proud of Austin Clem who was named in the Honour Team at the ASOC closing ceremony on Thursday! Congratulations Austin!
The Final ASOC points: ACT 75, Tasmania 63, NSW 58, Queensland 46, SA 36, Victoria 30, WA 16.
Final SCJC points: Harua 87, ACT 87, Tasmania 72, Karahiwi 68, NSW 65, Queensland 48, SA 38, Victoria 33, WA 19.
The second weekend of events commenced with the Australian Relays, with an afternoon event for all non-elite classes, followed by a Twilight – Night relay for the senior and junior elites.
Australian Relay Champions from South Australia were
1st W21AS - Susanne Casanova, Adeline Richmond, Lexie Ashforth
1st MenOpenB - Cade Richmond, Eliana Midgley, Aylwin Lim
2nd M55AS - Andrew McComb, Paul Hoopmann, Teri McComb
3rd W45A - Elise Clem, Kate Marschall, Keren Faulkner
The final event was the Australian Middle Distance Championships, where first places for SA went to Eliana Midgley in Women Open B, Duncan Still in M18A and Paul Hoopmann in M75A.
All results are in Eventor, along with links to courses in LiveLox – you may need to change your search period to September to October to see all events.
Some SA Orienteers at the Sprint
ASOC Honour Team - Austin Clem at the back (tallest boy)
Orienteering SA is making it easy and fun for newcomers to our sport to get out of doors, with 4 different Learn to Orienteer courses on offer, starting in October and November.
Our team of volunteer coaches can’t wait to show people how much fun they can have with a map and a compass. If you have a friend that might enjoy orienteering – or tried it once and wants to know more – now’s the time to get them involved. And if you wish you knew more of the basic skills yourself there’s an upskilling course for you too.
The courses are available at various times to suit different lifestyles, with a choice of midweek and weekend, evening and daytime.
The beauty of Orienteering is that it's a lifelong sport that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age or fitness level. Help us get the word out by sharing the link with your friends and family. Or choose the course that best suits you and register to join in the fun. https://sa.orienteering.asn.au/coaching-training/learn-to-orienteer
