Welcome to the Winter and School League (WIOL) Series!

ABOUT THE SERIES
These concurrent and popular series run from November through February. The Winter Series is open to all, while WIOL (Winter Interscholastic Orienteering League) is designed for students from Elementary-age through High School.

Events in the first half of the season are held in beginner-friendly venues, some of which are trails-only, while events in the second half move to more forested and challenging venues. The season is capped off with a championship event and an awards ceremony to recognize top participants and school teams in both the series overall and championship event.

As with all of CascadeOC’s series events, while it is fun to participate in the entire series, it is not required. Each event is a stand-alone event and open to all!

  • Registration for the SCHOOL LEAGUE is done through paper forms. For more information, visit the School League (WIOL) page.
  • Registration for WINTER SERIES (open to both kids and adults), can be done at the link below or at the event!

COURSES

WINTER SERIES

CourseControlsDistanceClimb
Beginner101.7 km45 m
Intermediate103.1 km135 m
Short Advanced134.2 km210 m
Long Advanced145.9 km330 m

SCHOOL LEAGUE (WIOL)

CourseControlsDistanceClimb
Middle School92.4 km100 m
JV Girls103.1 km135 m
JV Boys North102.9 km125 m
JV Boys South93.0 km160 m
Varsity144.3 km210 m

How are courses measured?

Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel up to 5 miles.

COURSE NOTES

Get ready for “open” western WA woods and kettle terrain at Ft. Ebey.  Prepare to go off trail by brushing up on your contour reading skills and compass use.  Kettle terrain is unique so remember to answer this question before you show up to the event: What direction does the contour tick-mark always point?  Hint: It’s not North. Don’t miss out on orienteering at one of the best venues in western WA.  We hope to see you there on beautiful Whidbey Island.

SCHEDULE

There will be a shuttle from parking to and from the start.

**Check back closer to the event date for a shuttle schedule**

9:30am – Registration opens & Newcomer instruction available
10:00am – Start opens
11:00am – Newcomer instruction ends
11:30am – Registration closes
Noon – Start closes
3:00pm – Course closes

Why is there a start window?

This event uses an interval start, which means that participants are started in waves instead of all at once. When you arrive at the start tent, find the chute for your course and follow the start volunteer’s instructions.

Those participating in School League (WIOL) will be provided a specific start time, and should show up at the tent several minutes before their designated time.

PRICES

PRE-REGISTRATION PRICES
$17 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch

DAY-OF-EVENT REGISTRATION
$20 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch

Become a member for $5-20

Buy your own e-punch for $38

 

SCHOOL LEAGUE (WIOL)

Registration for the School League is done through paper forms. For more information, visit the School League (WIOL) page.

What’s an e-punch?

An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that show which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”

Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!

SIGN UP

Online pre-registration closes: 9pm, Thursday, January 19

Day-of-event registration is available by cash or check, made payable to Cascade Orienteering Club

Registration for School League (WIOL) is done via paper forms. See the School League page for more information.

Learn more about volunteering

Volunteers make these events happen! You can volunteer and participate on the same day, plus earn volunteer points to earn a free meet.

LOCATION

PARKING

There will be a shuttle to and from the start. Be sure to allow yourself extra time!

Off site parking will be at Coupeville Elementary School at 6 Main St in Coupeville. Parking is in the back of the school.
Two shuttles, a Bethel HS Bus and a 15-passenger van, will begin running between Coupeville Elementary and Fort Ebey State Park around 9:00am. The round trip takes 20-25 minutes. The last bus run will be around 1:00pm, and the 15-passenger van will remain until the course is cleared.

CARPOOL

Looking for a carpool? Join the Yahoo listserv and share your request to find a ride.

THE MAP

Navigational Challenge: 7

Physical Challenge: 8

SAFETY & ETIQUETTE

Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.

Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.

Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.

Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.

If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.

Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).

If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.

If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.

Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.