Newcastle Island Social Event Social

Organizers: Caoimhe Murray (Event Director), Robyn Rennie (Assistant), Ingrid Weisenbach (Permit)

Come join us on beautiful Saysutshun (Newcastle Island, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhS3LdwEPjY for pronunciation) for a great weekend of orienteering, socializing and camping! Saysutshun Park is a no-vehicle provincial park a short water-taxi ride from Nanaimo.

This will be a social event with some fun but casual orienteering. The events will be pin flags only and you should be warned that the map won't be updated so some areas might not be entirely accurate. If you're not expecting competition standard orienteering and you bring your adventurous spirit, you should have a great time!

Newcastle Island is boat access only so you can bring your own boat or canoe or take the Island Ferry ( https://newcastleisland.ca/ferry-info ). We've got one group campsite booked for Friday and Saturday night, which can accommodate 50 people max. It'll likely book out so don't wait to register! Or you can come over for day trips from Nanaimo.

Schedule

The following schedule is preliminary and might change. Please confirm closer to the event.

Friday

• Camping at group campsite (check in after 4pm)
• Note that the last ferry to Newcastle Island is 8pm (per schedule available on 5th May)

Saturday

• 3hr Score-0 (but feel free to do a shorter run around if that's more your style)
  
  • Open from 11:30am to 3:30pm (registration closes 1:30pm but you will still need to be back by 3:30pm so later starters won't have the full 3 hours)
  • Fastest runners will likely finish in under 2 hours
  • There will be a mix of controls, some near the ferry and campsite area which will suit families or those who want a shorter outing and some further out on the island for those that want a longer adventure.
  • There will also be a mix of less technical controls on or close to trails and some more challenging controls further off trail
  • Note that the vegetation can be very dense in areas and the map hasn't been updated in quite a few years so it might be worth keeping your plan a little bit flexible!
• Camping at group site for those who are staying

Sunday

• Check out of campsite by 11am
• Shorter loops (1 - 2km) in the area by the ferry open
  • 4 loops available
  • Open 9am to 11:30am
  • Recently mapped (2024) sprint map
  • Lots of controls on trails and grassy areas for families and beginners

Map Notes / Disclaimer: The existing forest map of Newcastle island might not be the same quality as other maps we are used to. It’s generally inaccurate, vegetation is outdated and the hand drawn contour features leave lots of room for interpretation. Nevertheless it’s a very fun place to orienteer, requiring all your skills and senses. First time visitors to the island and less experienced orienteers should approach the off trail controls with a healthy dose of caution though.

Due to logistic challenges of being on a small island, we will not use SI timing or standard orienteering flags for this event. There will be mini orienteering flags (15cm) or pin flags at the control locations. For timing, you can either use your GPS track (don't forget to charge your GPS watch) or we can record your start and finish time manually.

Accommodation / Food

We booked group campsite G2 for both Friday and Saturday night.

GVOC will not provide any food or drinks. There is a concession stand available, but don’t expect it to be open all day. Basically come prepared to camp and bring anything (food and comforts) you may want.

There are washrooms, drinking water taps and coin operated showers available on the island near the campsite.

Additional Notes for Camping:

• DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE.
• DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOOD OR GARBAGE IN THE TENTS.
• Store all food at any time in the food cache on the group shelter. Dispose of garbage immediately in the garbage bins provided.

Travel

If you're coming from Vancouver: Take the Nanaimo Ferry from Horseshoe Bay (see https://www.bcferries.com/routes-fares/schedules/daily/HSB-NAN) or, alternatively the Hullo ferry from downtown Vancouver, (see hullo.com)and then walk/bus/taxi/drive to the Saysutshun Newcastle Island Ferry Terminal at Maffeo Sutton Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ptqmmQjryyhSp7cPA).

There will likely be a queue of Newcastle Island goers if the weather is nice. Schedule and info here: https://newcastleisland.ca/

Additional Orienteering Opportunities

If you are interested in additional orienteering, have a look at some previous events and bring some printouts to go exploring by yourself.

https://gvoc.whyjustrun.ca/events/view/2946

https://gvoc.whyjustrun.ca/events/view/2074

Cost / Registration

You have to be a member of GVOC or another Canadian orienteering club to attend this event. The software will prompt you with the membership options if you aren't already a member.

Full Weekend (includes camping Friday and Saturday night and orienteering Saturday and Sunday)

• Adult: $45
• Junior: $20
• Child: $0

Single Day Orienteering

• Adult: $10 per day
• Junior and Child: $5 per day

Registration for camping & orienteering closes on Wednesday July 8th, 23:59. Register here

There will be additional cost for transportation to/from Saysutshun (Newcastle) unless you bring your own boat:

Saysutshun Ferry (see https://newcastleisland.ca/ferry-info)
Adults: $15 return
Children: $7 return
Extra cost for bicycles & extra luggage (Note: no electric bikes allow on the island)

BC Ferries (see https://www.bcferries.com/routes-fares/schedules/seasonal/HSB-NAN)
Adults: $21.50 one way
Child: $11 one way

Hullo (alternative ferry from downtown Vancouver, see hullo.com)
Adult/Child: $39.99+ one way

Location