OAHK Logo Organized By

Orienteering Association of Hong Kong

LCSD Logo Subvented By

Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Colour-Coded Orienteering Events 2004/2005 Series No. 3 - Event Information

Date : 2005-4-3 (Sunday, 2 days before Ching Ming Festival)
Venue : Lamma Island
Type : Cross-country
Map : 1:10,000, with 5-metre contour interval colour orienteering map (Dec 2003 version). IOF Control Descriptions Symbols are used.
Prizes : The first 3 places in each colour class and family class will be awarded
Organizer : Orienteering Association of Hong Kong (Enquiry : 25048112)
Co-organizing Club : New Direction Orienteering Club
Event Controller : Chan Chi Shing, Clement
Event Organizer : Michael Sy
Jury : Chung Wai Nang (HKOC), Ng Hon Chung Sunshine (SOC), Lee Siu Kong (Akinallliance)

Correction Notice

  1. From Central to Sok Kwu Wan, competitors should aboard ferry at No. 4 Pier instead of No. 5 Pier. The organizer apologize for any confusion caused.

Event Day Summary

  1. At Central No. 4 Pier, aboard 7:20, 8:35 or 10:00 ferry to Sok Kwu Wan. Sailing time is 25 min. (or aboard ferry at Aberdeen Pier)
  2. Walk 30 minutes to Event Centre.
  3. Get Number Bib (self service).
  4. Fill in E-card Usage Consent Form. Then queue up to collect E-card. (If lost or damaged, pay $300.)
  5. Walk 30 minutes to Start Area (bring compass and whistle).
  6. Enter first box of the "2-minute Zone" according to your start time.
  7. Enter second box, read and check the map.
  8. Place E-card on "Start Unit" at least 6 seconds before starting.
  9. Beware of hikers and people near graves when competing.
  10. Return to Finish Area within time limit of 150 minutes.
  11. Return to Event Centre for result processing.

Download

  1. E-card Usage Consent Form (doc, 24k)

Note on Ching Ming Festival

Ching means clear, and Ming means bright. The Ching Ming Festival, also known as the Grave-sweeping or Spring Remembrance, is when Chinese families show their respect by visiting the graves of their ancestors to clear away weeds, touch up gravestone inscriptions, make offerings of wine and fruit, and burn paper offerings.

Unlike western countries which concentrate all burials in a graveyard, many graves in Hong Kong are scattered in the country-side. On Ching Ming Festival (and around that time), many families visit these graves to carry out ceremony, and competitors should avoid them. If they become annoyed, they might interfere with competitors. Even worst, they might remove the "offending" control points near their ancestor's grave.

For Hong Kong orienteers, the burning of paper offerings is most concerning. Every year around this festival period, there are many wildfires associated to carelessness when burning paper offerings. For your safety, watch out for sign of wildfire when running.

Since many graves are located in the country-side, public transit may become crowded. Spare enough time for transportation.

(Ref: 1, 2)

Event Programme


08:15   Event Centre opens
09:15   Start Area opens
09:30   First start; Finish Area opens
13:15   Start Area closes
15:30   Competition Area and All Controls close; Finish Area closes
15:45   Final Result announcement
16:00   Prize presentation
16:15   Event ends

Transport

  1. Transportation will not be provided. Competitors should take ferry to Lamma Island.
  2. Competitors must enter the Event Centre from Sok Kwu Wan pier. Any competitor who enter the Event Centre from Yung Shue Wan pier will be disqualified.
  3. Ferry Information :
    1. Central Number 4 Pier has ferry going to Sok Kwu Wan. Sailing time is 25 minutes. Fare is $18. On event day morning the ferry sails at 7:20, 8:35 & 10:00 with capacity of 300 persons each. For further details, browse HKKF website or call 28156063.
    2. Aberdeen Pier has ferry going to Sok Kwu Wan. Sailing time is 30 minutes. Fare is $12. On event day morning the ferry sails at 8:00, 8:45, 9:30 & 10:15. For further details, browse Chuen Kee Ferry website or call 23757883. (Pier location map)
  4. It is a tradition for family on Ching Ming Festival to pay tribute to past relatives at their graves. Some people do so before the festival day to avoid congestion. Lamma Island has many graves, and therefore many visitors are expected to take the ferry on event day. Since ferry space is limited, competitors are advised to arrive at the pier early.
  5. There are 1161 people / 1016 team in this event. As a result some competitors are required to catch the first ferry in the morning. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
  6. The Event Centre is a 30 minute walk from the Sok Kwu Wan pier (1500m apart with 20m climb). Signage will be erected at road junctions.

Event Centre

(Event Centre Supervisor : Jim Wai)
  1. Event Centre is located at the Lo So Shing Beach. (GR KK033582) (with life guard on duty)
  2. Event Centre has toilet, changing room and outdoor showering facilities.
  3. Physiotherapy and first aid services will be provided at the Event Centre.
  4. The official time will be shown at the Event Centre.
  5. Bag checking service will not be provided. Please take care of your own belongings and do not bring valuables.
  6. The concrete area next to the beach is small. It is recommended to bring your own ground sheet for use on the beach.
  7. Do not start any fire outside of the barbecue area next to the beach (with 6 stoves).
  8. Be a responsible and healthy orienteer, please do not smoke nor litter at the Event Centre and in competition area.

Course Information

(Course Setter : Lee Yu Ming)
  1. Course details of each class are as following:
    Class Length (m) Climb (m) No. of Competitor/Team
    Brown 6400 265 139
    Blue 5200 200 86
    Green 5100 185 112
    Red 4300 160 165
    Orange 3500 110 202
    Yellow 2800 80 217
    White 1800 60 32
    Family 65
  2. The "IOF Control Description Sheet" of each class will be available at pre-start area. Scissors and tape will be provided.
  3. Time limit will be 150 minutes.
  4. Two (2) maps will be provided to each Family Class team, regardless of how many family member each team has.
  5. There will be a water point in the competition area (location shown on map). Supply is limited. Please bring sufficient water with you.
  6. There are hawkers operating within the competition area. Location is not shown on the map, and their operation hour is unknown. Their motto: "no money, no drink."

Competition Area and Map Information

(Competition Area Supervisor : Lee Yu Ming)
  1. The competition area consists of several small hilltops in central Lamma Island, with one concrete-paved hiking trail (foot path) passing through.
  2. Competition routes mainly pass through rough open land and slow-running vegetation. Dense vegetation usually is not a required route.
  3. Some area is covered with loosen sand without vegetation. Also watch out for gullies.
  4. Some area has new "baby" tree plantings. Please take care when you land your footing.
  5. There are many graves in the competition area. Some visitors may carry out ceremony near one during Ching Ming Festival. Be respectful to them.
  6. The competition area has a popular hiking trail. Competitors should take care of other hikers and yourself. Competitors have no priority in path access.
  7. There are motor vehicles and bicycles traveling on main foot path. Occasionally mountain biker rides on small foot path too. Please beware.
  8. The map is 1 year and 4 months old. Some vegetation may have changed. New grave may be built and not shown on map.
  9. It is recommended to wear long sleeve clothings and sport shoes with good grip. Depending on weather, competitors may wear hat or windbreaker as well.
  10. A portion of the foot path running from last control point to finish line is small and narrow. Please be patient and take care of others when passing.

Steps to Collect Number Bib and E-card

(E-card Supervisor : Mable Tsang)
1) Get number bib by yourself -> 2) Fill in E-card Form -> 3) Queue up to collect E-card

  1. Upon arrival at the Event Centre, competitors can get their number bib by themselves. (Pins available)
  2. Next fill in the E-card Usage Consent Form. With the form and number bib, competitors can queue up to collect their E-card and backup label.
  3. To save time, competitors are encouraged to download and fill-in the E-card Usage Consent Form in advance.
  4. The E-card is property of OAHK. Competitors are responsible for the safe-keeping of the E-card during the event. In case of lost or damage of the E-card, competitor must pay a replacement fee of HK$300 to OAHK.
  5. Competitors must use the provided E-card. Exchange of E-cards with other competitors is prohibited.
  6. For "Essential Information for Electronic Punching and Timing System", refer to Appendix.

Start Area and Starting Procedures

(Start Area Supervisor : Tsang Ho Ming)
  1. Note to earlier starter: due to the large number of participants, please allocate sufficient time to pick up your E-card and avoid late start.
  2. The Start Area is a 30-40 minute walk from the Event Centre (1500m apart with 100m climb).
  3. Please put on number bib in front of chest and have compass, whistle and E-card ready. Competitors without any of the above items will not be allowed to start.
  4. A "2-minute Zone" system will be used at Start. The time shown at Start is Entry Time. Competitors should enter the first box of the "2-minute Zone" according to their own start time. For Family class, all team members should be present before entering.
  5. After 1 minute enter the second box. Competitors may read their map here. Competitors are responsible to check if the information on their map is correct.
  6. At least 6 seconds before start, competitors must activate their E-card by placing them on the "Start Control Unit" until the red light flashes, and otherwise no running time will be recorded. Competitors who fail to activate their E-card will be disqualified.
  7. Competitors must remove the E-card from the "Start Control Unit" when the starter gives a long beep signal for starting.
  8. Latecomers must report to the start officials. They will be arranged to start at the late starting line. The time lost will not be compensated.

Finish Area and Finishing Procedures

(Finish Area Supervisor : Joey Lo)
  1. All competitors must report to the Finish Area or to the Event Centre within 150 minutes after starting or before 1530 hours, regardless of course completion or lost E-card. All controls will be closed at 1530 hours.
  2. Finishing time is the time when competitors cross the finish line and place their E-card on the "Finish Control Unit". For Family class, all team members should cross the finish line together. Please remove the backup label here and give it to the Result Officials.
  3. Competitors who crossed the finish line cannot return to competition area. They should proceed to Result Processing Station (located at Event Centre) and download E-card data at their earliest convenience. Competitors bear their own responsibility of lost or damaged E-card during the way back to the Event Centre.
  4. Competition map will not be withheld at the Finish Area. However finishers must not show their map to competitors waiting to start. Violator will be disqualified.
  5. It is a 20 minute walk from the Finish Area back to the Event Centre.

Result Processing

(Result Processing Supervisor : Cheung Chu Fai)
  1. The Result Processing Station is located at the Event Centre.
  2. Result will be displayed at the Event Centre.

Prize Presentation

(MC : Calvin Wu)
  1. Prize presentation ceremony will be held on the same day of the event.

Rules and Regulations

  1. The Orienteering Competition By-law of the OAHK shall apply to this event.
  2. Competitors who lost their E-card is considered as "Did Not Finish" (DNF), and is required to report to the Finish Area or to the Event Centre.
  3. No aids other than those mentioned in this event information bulletin may be used.
  4. You must not move or damage any facilities; otherwise the organizer may claim compensation from you.
  5. Competitors may not enter competition area prior to start of this event.
  6. Competitors must obey the instructions of event officials.
  7. If any of the competition rule is amended, the organizer will notify competitors in advance. If such notification could not be made in time, the amendment will be post on competition day at the Event Centre.
  8. Violation of competition rules will lead to disqualification.

Complaint and Protest

  1. Competitors can complaint against infringements of the Orienteering Competition By-law of the OAHK or the organizer's instructions. The complaint shall be made in writing to the organizer as soon as possible. Complaint relating to competitor's result shall be made within 15 minutes after the release of their result. Their complaint will be adjudicated by the organizer and they will be informed of the decision immediately.
  2. Competitors can protest against the organizer's decision about their complaint. The protest shall be made in writing to the organizer/a member of the jury as soon as possible and within 30 minutes after the release of the organizer’s decision about the complaint.

Safety Guideline

  1. Competitors should ensure their own safety and belongings. The organizer undertakes no liabilities to any personal injuries or loss of properties during and as a consequence to the competition.
  2. Competitors should process basic knowledge about the orienteering sports, and be physically fit to enter this competition.
  3. In case of injury or under emergency situation, use the whistle to blow the distress signal (6 beeps repeated every minute). In the meantime stay calm and wait for help from event officials.

Response to Bad Weather

  1. If Typhoon Signal No. 3 (or above), the Thunderstorm warning, or the Red/Black Rainstorm warning is announced by the HK Observatory at 0600 hours on the day of competition, the competition will be postponed. Arrangement will be announced later at OAHK website.
  2. If the Thunderstorm warning is announced at 0600 hours, with effective time till 0930 hours, the competition will be held as scheduled.
  3. If Typhoon Signal No. 3 (or above), the Thunderstorm warning, or the Red/Black Rainstorm warning is announced during the competition, the competition will be stopped immediately and will not be rescheduled. All competitors should follow organizer's instruction and return to Event Centre and return their E-card. Result of competitors who finished their race will be included.

Response to Wildfire

  1. Don't panic and stay calm.
  2. Note the following for quick evacuation from the scene of fire:
    1. The direction in which the fire spreads - avoid escaping in the same direction of the prevailing wind.
    2. The height and density of the vegetation nearby - find a place with less vegetation for escape.
    3. The gradient of the paths nearby - choose the one which is easiest for escape.
  3. It is easier and quicker to escape through existing foot paths.
  4. If the fire is imminent and there is no way out, you should cover your exposed skin with wet clothing and then make for the burnt area. This can minimize the chance of getting injured.
  5. Don't run into shrubs or grass grown areas. Fires usually spread rapidly and the temperature may soar in these areas.
  6. Never run uphill if the situation permits.

Acknowledgment

Appendix: Essential Information for Electronic Punching and Timing System

  1. This Event will use the Emit electronic punching and timing system.
  2. No Competitor may refuse to use the electronic punching and timing system unless the organizer has issued the "Notice of Malfunction" of the aforesaid system.
  3. The running time will be calculated based on the records in the E-cards. If the organizer has doubt on a particular punch record of an E-card, records of the backup label will be considered as a valid counter-check tool. In case both of them have no record, that particular punch record will be deemed voided.

Start

  1. At least 6 seconds before start, competitors must activate their E-cards by placing them on the "Start Unit" until the red light flashes, and otherwise no running time will be recorded.
  2. Competitors must remove the E-cards from the "Start Unit" when the starter gives a long beep signal for starting.

During Competition

  1. It is the competitors’ own responsibility to insert the E-card into the control unit correctly. In fact, E-cards can only be inserted into the control unit in one direction. If both the E-card and backup label cannot record a particular punch record, system malfunction will not be considered as a valid reason for appeal.

Finish

  1. As soon as competitors arrive at the finish line, please place the E-cards at the "Finish Control Unit". The time-count will stop accordingly.
  2. After that, please follow the signposts/indication cards to return to the Event Centre and report to the Result Processing Station. After our officials have collected your backup label and have downloaded the records from your E-card, you may obtain your result slip from the mini-time recorder for reference.

Result Processing and Display

  1. Please do not insert your E-card into "Start Control Unit" or other control units after the completion of your race. By not doing so, your punch records will be retained for counter-check purpose.
  2. Results of late starters will be processed separately. The final results displayed by the organizer will be conclusive; results from the mini-time recorder are for reference only.
2005.3.23 Prepared by NDOC
2005.3.31 Updated