Discussion: Hopewell Rocks Sprint

Running on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks was WAY more fun, WAY more cool, WAY more spectacular than I imagined possible. Great course planning by Mike Smith. Absolutely fantastic.

I think it should get a bonus 10 points in the North American Sprint standings for being the coolest sprint of the year (bumping Lehigh into second place).

I agree with AZ, and think anyone who missed the Hopewell Rocks sprint definitely has to plan to attend should NB hold another A meet there. So cool! Thanks so much to all the NB clubs for a very enjoyable weekend.

And I also agree the Lehigh sprint was worthy of high mention in O-sprint history. Mostly downhill, but boy, did you have to pay attention!

I also agree with the comments regarding Orienteering Rocks! I've never had so much enjoyment at an O event.

I ran as a pre-runner, and then was on the ocean floor taking photos for the rest of the race. It was pretty amazing to see the same people passing by several times, each time appearing more puzzled than the next.... Some runners really "got it" and seemed able to run through at a nearly-normal pace. But others, wow - it was entertaining.... The fantastic backdrop of the huge pillars and flowerpots sure didn't hurt, along with the perfect weather.

I also vote for a +10 point bonus for this World-First.

Anyone have a map of this event? I was there today and tried to figure what area was mapped, what the map would look like and what the courses might be. Sure would have been a cool sprint. Went a little bit further in the search for a map, found one and boy it would have been a fun sprint! Cool map.

On first glance it looks as if it is a very easy area. But Wait! Twists and turns and flower pots and caves and seaweed covered knolls come at you much more quickly than expected.
I ran there again last summer and was doing very well until I almost caught up to another Ottawa orienteer and boom my concentration slipped for a second and I was lost!
The Canadian Nationals are going back down east in a year or two. I hope they will arrange for a pre-event at Hopewell.

That would be awesome!

It was a very fun sprint -- last year, and in 2008!

I hope they will arrange for a pre-event at Hopewell.

You can count on it! Not only that but racing in three provinces - including PEI (which will be a first time for just about everyone).

PEI? Been there; done that (as part of the 1977 COC week in Nova Scotia. That year we also raced a three loop/ three map course in Halifax's Point Pleasant Park.)
I guess that means I've been in orienteering races in all 10 Canadian provinces. Thanks AZ for allowing me to cross SK,my last province off the bucket list. Now on to Nunavut and NWT! The Yellowknife, NWT area should be great for orienteering. And in Nunavut we could hold a race right on top of the magnetic north pole.

So can we see a map sometime?

Will the Nationals visit Fundy, by any chance? That would be epic!