Well, who would have thought that the coaches and juniors alike would survive a week's training in the Wilds of wet Killarney ??? But there are now a group of "dead sexy" orienteers who can boast about this feat. I am proud to be one of those juniors!!! The coaches however might need another week to recuperate from the trauma !!!

Yes folks, on Saturday 21st August 1999 some of Ireland's top juniors congregated on an altar in the outskirts of Killarney. But not to start a new bible bashing cult - no, we gathered there for a higher purpose - to learn the necessary skills to avoid losing our way on those "Holy Grails" which mere mortals refer to as maps !!!

The training course took place in the renovated Muckross Church - now rebaptised as Muckross Venture Centre. Frank Ryan who lived in the sacristy for the week, sorting out the many problems associated with the SportIdent system, headed the coaching staff.

The mere presence of this system impressed even the most cynical of juniors - yes, this course was going to be a learning experience. Underneath the watchful eye of Frank was his talented team of coaches. These included Toni O' Donovan, Damien Cashin, Justin May, Paul Dunne, Brendan Cryan, Ian Lockington, Mick Kellett and Nigel Foley-Fisher. Our palates and empty stomachs were catered for by Deirdre Ryan. She did an excellent job and a testament to the good food was that no one was ill during the week. At this stage I'd like to extend many thanks to her from all the juniors and the coaches aswell.

And if you thought that only two members of the Ryan household helped with the coaching you're mistaken. The third member of the family - Joseph - worked as Cameraman and Kayaking Instructor. An intrepid Director as he is Joseph stalked all of us through the trees, along the paths and even across the lake!!! The main purpose of the camera was to show us all how much time was wasted at control sites and to finally satisfy our own vanity - yes we are all gorgeous!!! The outcome was quite amusing. We had juniors who sat down at controls to plan their next route. One nameless person stood wondering if the control, which lay before him, was on his course. (A wise idea if the control was in a re-entrant or the like - but this was on a gate !!!) We also heard some interesting phraseology as well as seeing some great rear end shots !!!

Believe it or believe it not, the Juniors not only availed of the Sport dent system - Joseph Ryan also provided kayaks. Damien Cashin led the kayaking lessons and being the talented Juniors that we are, we shocked him by all being able to paddle (well, most of us anyway) - some of us experienced dizzy after effects from going around in circles!

On the Tuesday fifteen intrepid paddlers, one instructor and one show-off (Joseph????), headed for a quick 3 km kayak on the Upper Killarney lake. Needless to say no sound was heard after our 23.59 lights out. Wednesday saw our introduction to Kayak-O - this was a new experience for all of us. The event was held on the "Watery Commons" Map recently surveyed and drawn by Damien Cashin. It was a score-O event with ten controls out among the reeds and rocks of Killarney's Upper Lake. There were four teams of four; each team had two kayaks at their disposal and forty minutes to collect the ten controls.

On the Thursday afternoon we were once again immersed in orienteering culture. Damien Cashin again held an event of a different kind - Mountain Bike-O. Bikes were supplied by Damien himself and everyone enjoyed the events. If you haven't tried this before I'd recommend it!!!. Trying to grip a map between your teeth, pedal the bike, keep your balance and navigate at the same time can prove quite hazardous to your health!!! (and Joseph has the footage to prove this!!!!).

Friday was the last training day and just in case you had assumed that we had tried it all - well, you're wrong: while on a quiet stroll through Muckross grounds some of the Juniors, who shall remain nameless, decided to revive the age old sport of "Skinny-dipping-O". Later, when discussing the prospect of this becoming a recognized sport, we came upon some suggestions namely - one should wear leg cover, events should be held late at night away from local tourist attractions and one should be careful when punching controls!!!!!

Despite all the variations of orienteering which we experienced, we picked up some invaluable practical information. Relocation, compass work and speed dominated the week's training programme. The areas that were used were Muckross, Crohane Mountain and Blue Pool. Crohane was great for the technical area and proved a very testing area to train in.

All in all the week was a wet, wild and wonderful experience. For all those Juniors out there who couldn't partake in the week they should seriously consider it next year. As for all the Juniors who did survive the week - fair play to you!!!!

Many thanks again to all the coaches, landowners and drivers for all their hard work, patience and understanding. Hopefully, with the knowledge acquired during the week, we'll be able to redeem ourselves at the JHI this year !!!!!

By Niall Bourke (With a little help from his Friends)