LETTERS

The Australian Orienteer welcomes letters. Preference will be given to letters which are concise and which make positive points. The editor reserves the right to edit letters, particularly ones which are longer than 300 words.

Water on Courses

A recent article in The Australian Orienteer promoted a decision by Bayside Kangaroos to ask competitors to carry their own water around the course. I wanted to take the time to clarify Orienteering Australia’s position on the provision of water on courses. Our competition rules, as they have always done, include a clause requiring water to be provided every 25 minutes for courses longer than 30mins (these times are the estimated speed of the winner). Moreover, OA rules require the water to be at a control or a compulsory crossing point. (The IOF has similar rules, except that they do not require the water to be at a control or compulsory crossing point.) People often ask me why we can’t relax the rules on provision of water. My answer is always the same -- it is because provision of water is designed to ensure competitors do not become dehydrated. Thus, it’s a safety issue, and is a greater concern in a warm climate, such as Australia, than it is in most countries. We had a close shave several years ago when a competitor became seriously ill following dehydration; I’m determined to protect event organisers from similar occurrences in the future, which is why I have never considered compromising on the provision of water. The rules above apply at all national events -- badge events and above. State or club level events are governed by different rules, but I recommend in the strongest possible terms that guidelines for these events should include similar provisions for water on courses to those in the OA rules.

Andy Hogg Orienteering Australia Director, Technical

ORIENTEERING PUBLICATIONS

IOF Publications

International Specifications for‑Orienteering Maps . . . . . . . . . . $11 .00 Competition rules for IOF events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11 .00 Control Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . $11 .00 Simple Maps for Orienteering . . . . $11 .00 Trail Orienteering (BOF book) . . . . . $30 .00 Trail Orienteering (booklet) . . . . . . . . $8 .25 Trail O (leaflet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0 .70

Australian Publications

Elementary Orienteering Instructors‑Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13 .20 Level 1 Coaching Manual . . . . . . . . $22 .00 Level 1 Coaching Syllabus . . . . . . . . $3 .90 Level 2 Coaching Syllabus . . . . . . . . $4 .40 Level 3 Coaching Syllabus . . . . . . . . $4 .40 Among the Best Orienteers (video) $19 .75 Sponsorship & Advertising, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . available from states Club Guide, available on disc .

Prices include GST and postage within Australia for single copies. Prices for bulk orders available on request. Orders should be addressed to Orienteering Australia, PO Box 284 Mitchell BC 2911, with cheques made payable to Orienteering Australia. Email: orienteering@netspeed.com.au

State of Origin

I read with interest Kay Haarsma’s letter in the June edition proposing that the National Orienteering League be run on a State of Origin basis. Such a bold and, in many ways, controversial move could not happen unless someone was prepared to stand up and show the real leadership that is a fundamental part of any major reform in any field of endeavour. Such reformist leaders have, throughout history, shown they are prepared to sacrifice their own selfish needs for the greater good. Clearly Kay and, by inference, OASA have put their hand up to be in the vanguard of this change and should be applauded for this. Their offer to have Simon Uppill run for Queensland in all future National Orienteering League events in order to demonstrate the value of this reform is gratefully accepted and we look forward to this brave new world.

Richard Robinson (Queensland)

Orienteering Australia – National Training Centre

VICTORINOX AWARD

The Victorinox Award goes to Kathryn Ewels for her excellent performances at this year’s World Championships. Kathryn will receive a Victorinox Voyager with 20 tools and features including a watch/ alarm/timer; retail value $109.95.

VICTORIAN JUNIOR SQUAD

Rebekah Sunley & Sarah Atkins

James Robertson Jasmine Sunley Mary Fleming

Darian Panter in his Junior Development Squad t-shirt

Close control punching between Jasmine and Rebekah Sunley Anneke Top

Alternatives to those Soft Drinks

Ever read the ingredients label on that can of soft drink? Grab one now and read it. Surprising, isn’t it? Most likely the top ingredients are corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup, two very concentrated forms of sweetener, and a whole list of artificial ingredients. Like sugar-free? What does that label say? Anything “natural” in it? The supermarket has hundreds of delicious, refreshing alternatives to the nutrient-free soft drink. Here are a few to consider: Vegetable juice is one terrific way to ensure you get your three to five servings a day. Most vegetable juices are concentrated forms that equal at least two servings. Green drinks with concentrated forms of greens are fantastic and combination drinks like V-8 come in regular or spicy for a real change to the palate. You can make your own vegetable juices with a blender or a juicer. All of them can be diluted with water. Suggested serving is 100 – 200ml, especially of sweet juices like carrot. Fruit juice is an ideal drink for all ages whether fresh squeezed or bought in concentrated or non-concentrated form. When melons are inexpensive make them into juices; plain watermelon juice, cantaloupe or honeydew melon blended with crushed ice, or any of the great melons on the market make refreshing, filling juices. No need for added anything. When drinking juices at home, consider a fruit spritzer with one-third juice and one-third sparkling water for a sparkling and cooling drink. You can also dilute fruit juice with water that not only stretches the juice, it also stretches the concentration of natural sugars. Suggested serving is 200 – 250ml a day. CAUTION: Lots of fruit juice manufacturers add high fructose syrup and other sugars to both bottled and canned products that are totally unnecessary and only provide more calories. Once you try fresh squeezed or blended juices, you’ll understand why fruit juices are terrific on their own. Teas and coffees refresh the body, stimulate the brain, and give some energy yet the caveat is moderation, moderation, moderation. Both teas and coffees are dehydrating because of their caffeine content and other elements. Over-consumption can mean depletion of essential elements leaving your body dehydrated and, in some cases, over stimulating your nerves. Tea, which has a milder form of caffeine called theine, is preferable because it enters the bloodstream slower and is less jarring to the nerves than coffee for most people. You can enjoy tea or coffee hot or iced. One iced tea recipe is tea sangria, made with your choice of tea, cut up fruit like strawberries, kiwi or stone fruit, and serve over ice. Iced coffees are great with a spoonful of condensed or evaporated milk for extra richness yet way below the typical 400-600 calorie laden coffee and tea drinks you buy at your local shop; consider these special once-in-a-while treats. Enhanced waters can be a great alternative to spring waters. Most come in flavours, with extra minerals and/or vitamins. They’re not without sweetening, but usually in the form of crystalline fructose (which comes from fruits or is artificially made to simulate fructose.) They are excellent cold. Suggested serving is one-half to one 500ml bottle per day. Other waters or juices enhanced with electrolytes do indeed help hydrate the body during excessive workouts or during times of excessively hot weather. In fact, electrolytes in liquids work even better than plain water in hydrating the body. Again, read the labels. Some products like Gatorade® are loaded with corn syrups and high fructose syrups and, while it is tempting to down a whole bottle, dilute it with water and drink a modest amount; 250 – 500ml a day. Even if the electrolyte product has no corn syrups and high fructose syrups, you should keep the quantity consumed per day at 500ml unless requested to consume more by your health practitioner. Sparkling mineral water, domestic or imported, is refreshing, has the carbonation you may enjoy, and tastes great alone or with a freshly cut lime, orange or lemon dropped into the glass. Mineral waters are so named because they do have healthful minerals and no artificial or non-nutrient chemical additives. If you choose flavoured mineral water, read the label to make sure the flavourings are natural. Suggested serving is two to four 250ml servings a day. Spring or distilled waters are your best choice for your daily drink, especially if your city’s municipal water resource is too hard or soft for your taste. Spring waters contain natural minerals; distilled waters contain none. Some people view distilled waters best for irons and hair curlers, but others prefer the taste of distilled, without any elements at all so that’s a viable choice. Perk up plain waters with fresh-cut citrus or other fruit. While the ubiquitous recommendation of 2 litres of water per day keeps popping up, it is not necessary if you eat a well-rounded diet of grains, fruits and vegetables (which contain a lot of water), and get enough daily exercise so that your digestion is regular. If it is not, try for 500ml, then work up to a litre or more of plain waters until you feel you are comfortably hydrated and your body is in “good working order.” adapted from supermarketguru.com