Lagganlia is an orienteering training camp organised for M/W14s near Aviemore in Scotland. 12 boys and 12 girls are selected each year from everywhere across the UK and it is a great way to improve your orienteering techniques and meet lots of new people.
Over the week we visited various areas which helped to improve our compass and contour skills. On day 1 we visited Heathfield (near Grantown on Spey) and got to know each other and our coaches. In the afternoon we did a clock relay in teams of 3 and my team won! The other days were the same structure as this but with different fun races in the afternoon. Halfway through the week there was a ‘rest’ day where we did 3 urban sprints, a heat, semis, and a final which I won. Later on we did night orienteering on the Spey valley golf course.
Each night we were put into our coaching groups and talked about our training. We also went over the day’s maps and discussed our mistakes and successes. The tradition on the last night is for the athletes to sneak out and hide in the grounds whilst the junior coaches hunt for them. We managed to survive and then the next day we, sleepily, got on the train home.
It was an amazing experience, I met so many new friends and improved my orienteering lots in the stunning areas.
I would like to thank all of the coaches and the Jack Bloor Fund who have made this week possible.
Jack Bloor Race & Fund 