Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival
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Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival 2026
The Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival is a two-day schools orienteering competition that also incorporates the South Island Secondary Schools orienteering championships. The event is open to school-aged students from primary, intermediate, high school and home education across Canterbury and the South Island. Entrants may compete on one day or both days.
Day one is a park event at Orua Paeroa on Saturday 12 September 2026. Day two is a forest event at Spencer Park on Sunday 13 September 2026. The festival offers training opportunities in the weeks before the event to help students learn and practise orienteering skills.
There are two main entry categories. The Fun category provides simpler navigation for beginners, families and teams, with three course options ranging from easy short to long. The Competitive category is for individual experienced orienteers and is graded by school year from Years 5 to 13; competitive entrants must meet eligibility rules and require school principal sign-off. For Years 10 and above some courses require a compass.
Entry cost is twelve dollars per child per day and includes hire of a Sportident timing stick unless the student brings their own. Entries close on Monday 7 September 2026. After the schools competition the courses will be available for public runs. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
