Kwak Czech O-Tour 2023 in the Final. What to Expect in mountains of Šumava?

Just a few hours left until the start of this year’s last round of the Kwak Czech O-Tour series. What not to forget when packing for Šumava, and what to look forward to?

The weather forecast looks very promising, but you’re heading to an arena at an altitude slightly over 1000 meters above sea level, so it’s definitely worth bringing warm clothing in your backpack. And don’t forget winter tires.

If you still get cold, a warm emulsion from the company Alpa or nutritious YO!Pro yogurts will be waiting for you at the finish line.

Read the Bulletin, where you can find information about parking, routes to the start, or restricted areas. Or at least read the lines below. Saturday features middel distance, while Sunday offers long distace.

Bring a mug, a glass, or a bottle. Otherwise, we won’t pour you a drink at the finish line, and you’ll have to rely on rain, local springs, or a club colleague. You can also use it at the coffee stand – there, if you bring your own mug, you’ll get a 5 CZK discount. Novinárna will give you the same discount if you take food in your own lunch box.

Download the latest update of the OTour app (Android, AppStore), where you can find starting numbers, results, or tips for trips in the area.

In the O-RUN stand, they are lending new orienteering shoes, Bagheera Feral or Bagheera Claw for free throughout the weekend. You can test them during the races in the Šumava forests, and they might become your companions for winter running.

For map familiarization, you can use the prepared training map at Vodník from Friday 8:00 to Saturday 12:00, with parking at the Skiareál Vodník (49.0604N, 13.7617E). Download the map from the event’s website.

Come by train! Don’t hesitate to come by train; the arena is just 300 meters away. The local train station is the highest in the entire Czech Republic. Anyone who presents a train ticket at the organizer’s buffet will get a free pastry.

Do you have items in your closet that you haven’t seen in a long time? Try offering them at the orienteering bazaar. Perhaps you’ll see them on your club colleague on Sunday.

If you bring a companion, you can show them orienteering in the Sporticus labyrinth. Or you can run it yourself. Can you beat the day’s time?

After the Saturday awards ceremony, things don’t end; on the contrary. At 17:30, there will be an exclusive screening of the film “Voda ztracená a vrácená” (Lost and Found Water) at the Kulturní středisko Vimperk, exclusively for Czech O Tour competitor.

Fencing basics workshop – You’ll discover interesting facts, try medieval fencing, or have your picture taken. You can experience all of this in the O-RUN stand on Sunday, October 29th, from 9:30 to 10:30 and 13:00 to 14:00. It’s for all generations!

Daylight Saving Time will end on October 29, 2023. The clocks will move back an hour during the night from Saturday to Sunday, from 3:00 AM to 2:00 AM. So, you’ll get an extra hour of sleep.

On Sunday, the awards ceremony will be longer than usual. We will also announce the best competitors in the entire Kwak Czech O-Tour series and the top 8 clubs of 2023.