COW Stage 3 at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline 2018

Day 3 of California Orienteering Week (COW) 2018

Mar 19, 2018 (Mon)

BAOC

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Richmond, CA

Director: Vicki Woolworth (510.407.1876)
Course Setter: Steve Gregg

Type A: National Ranking Event (NRE). Offers courses in all the OUSA competitive classes (see section A.39) and are counted in the national rankings. Note, however, that these events also have courses for recreational orienteers and do welcome beginners, and sometimes an event will consist of a combination of NRE and non-NRE events.

Stage 3 of California Orienteering Week (COW)

Past events:
2017 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005

Related events:

Schedule ↑

Packet pickup: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Recreational registration open: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Beginner clinics: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Start window: 10:00 AM to noon
Courses close: 2:00 PM
Mapping Workshop: noon to 5:00 PM

Arrival Logistics ↑

This section provides comments about getting to the Start on time, with time estimates for the various steps. See the driving directions below for how to get to the event venue.

Please carpool if possible, since parking might be limited—it's a popular park even during the week.

From the parking lot, the Assembly Area (Palms Picnic Area) is a 600 m walk up the hill and over the railroad tracks to the meadow.

You should plan to arrive at the parking area at least an hour before your scheduled start. Walk to Assembly Area (600 m, 10 min) Walk to Start (1 km, 15–20 minutes, flat road, restrooms and water at the halfway point) Check in at the Start 3 minutes before your start time Extra clothing left at the Start will be carried back to the Assembly Area.

Notes for Competitive Entries ↑

  • Start times are pre-assigned (except for event-day registrations). They are available here.
  • Times over 2 hours will be recorded as overtime (OVT) per OUSA rules.
  • You must return to the Finish by 2:00, and then go to the download tent, even if you have not finished your course.

Notes for Recreational Entries ↑

  • At registration, all juniors must be accompanied by parents or legal guardians, or bring with them a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian (the registration form is available here (PDF/100KB)).
  • You can register and start on courses anytime during the open times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be "punctual" when registration opens (but you can if you want, but please don't show up earlier and expect to be served).
  • Beginners' clinics are short, repeating sessions that introduce the sport of orienteering, and provide enough instruction to be able to complete the beginner (White) course.
  • You must return to the Finish by 2:00, and then go to the download tent, even if you have not finished your course. If there are unaccounted people after 2:00, we must initiate a search for them.

Courses ↑

Here is final course information:

    Course    Length    Climb   Controls
    White     2.4 km     50 m      13  
    Yellow    2.2 km     50 m      11
    Orange    3.8 km     65 m      17
    Brown     3.2 km     70 m      17
    Green     4.0 km     85 m      21
    Red       5.0 km    105 m      25
    Blue      6.0 km    115 m      31

All the courses have roughly 2% climb.

Recreational (non-competitive) entries will be allowed on the beginner-level (White and Yellow) and intermediate-level (Orange) courses.

Beginners should note that the course Length is simply the sum of the straight-line distances between controls. Your actual distance will be somewhat longer, and will depend on your route choices (and any errors you make). (A rough rule of thumb is to mentally replace "km" with "mi", so a "2.4 km" course might cover about 2.4 miles.)

Climb is an estimate of the cumulative "up" that would be encountered on the optimum route, with no regard for any "down" along the way. As with course length, the actual climb you encounter will depend on your route choices (and errors).

Start Procedure ↑

The same start procedure will be used at every Stage of the COW event. It is described here.

At Pt. Pinole, you will not be in the Start Triangle when you punch START, pick up your map, and start your course. You must go 100 m down a wide road to get to the Start Triangle.

Note that there is a 1 km walk from the Assembly Area to the Start. Be sure to allow time to get there before your start time.

Assigned start times for competitive entries are available here.

Mapping Workshop ↑

There will be a mapping workshop at this event. The details are available here.

Driving Directions ↑

The approximate coordinates for the parking lot are 37.992,-122.356. (Note: If you look for the park by name in Google Maps, you'll get wrong final directions.)

To get there, take the Richmond Parkway exit off Interstate 80 in Richmond, and go west for 1.3 miles. Immediately after the stoplight at San Pablo Avenue, turn right at the next light onto Atlas Road. After 0.8 miles on Atlas, you will cross over a set of railroad tracks and encounter a stop sign. Turn left onto Giant Highway at this intersection (do not go straight). You will pass a detention center on your right, and the park entrance will be immediately after that, also on your right.

Note: You want the Giant Highway entrance, not the Atlas Bridge entrance, which we are not permitted to use.

There is an entrance kiosk, but they are currently not collecting the $3 fee.

Please carpool if possible, since parking might be limited.

There's a map here that shows the location of the Assembly Area.

Updated: Jun 13, 2026, 3:56 PM PDT • Edit