Waikanae School pupils win two top placings in orienteering event for Kapiti Schools

June 27,2010

Waikanae School pupils Sam Selby-Rickets and Jesse Pearson took second equal placings in the annual orienteering competition for Kapiti schools.

More than 430 boys and girls  from five schools took part in the event at Waikanae Park.

Luckily there was fine weather for the event, which demands map-reading skills and co-operation as well as athletic skills.

Teams like the four shown right ( l to r: Takaniti Abraam, Shaevarni Parata, Paige Edwards and Courtney Scholey) have to check in at 16 control points along the way.

The best time in the event went to a St Patrick’s School pupil, Dino Rutten (Year 8) who recorded a time of 17 minutes and 2 seconds.

Councillor Ellis, who organised the event says he would like to see even greater participation — this year no pupils from Raumati or Otaki schools took part.

And in many ways it’s an ideal event for primary schools because girls can compete on a fairly even footing with boys.