Who can orienteer?
Orienteering is an inclusive sport. Whether you are 8 or 80, novice or elite - you can orienteer. Many events have "string" courses for even younger children.
What do you do?
In orienteering, you use a special map to follow a route. The route goes through a number of control points to the finish. Beginners courses will follow strong features such as paths; while the experts will have to nagivate through the forests or across the moors and fields. Each "control point" is a distinctly mapped feature, such as a path junction or hilltop. It is marked with an orange-and-white flag.
The Thinking Sport
Most events use staggered starts, to help ensure that you get to navigate on your own without interference. The route you take between controls is up to you. You select which way of travelling between controls will be the most efficient for you. The element of route choice is what makes orienteering a mental challenge. It is not enough to simply be able to move faster than other orienteers, you must out-think them as well. Because of this, Orienteering is often called the "thinking sport" because it involves map reading and quick decision-making in addition to athletic ability.
What do I need
To get started at our Wednesday Evening Events bring yourself and the family. A clear plastic bag to put your map keeps the map dry if it rains.
What should I wear
- Shoes to run in - they may get muddy
- Long trousers covering the legs are best
- And you may want a change of clothes for after - you can get muddy and dirty orienteering
And if I come to a Sunday Event
The next scale of event up from our "local" Wednesday Evening Events are typically "district" or "colour coded events" run on Sundays. If you go to one of these it also helps to bring with you some food and drink for after your run. If the event uses electronic punching - you will need to hire a "dibber". If the event uses control cards - it helps to bring some safety pins to attach the control card to your clothes.
How do I prove I completed the course
It depends...
Many events now use electronic punching. It's easy to hire the equipment at the event. Typically it only costs 50p to hire the electronic punch.
At some smaller events you use a punch hanging from the flag to mark your control card (which is given to you when you register on the day of the event). The patterns of the punches vary - so the patterns show you have been to the correct control.
What next
We look forward to seeing you at an event. Please make yourself known and ask for help .. we are a friendly bunch.
For further descriptions of how to get started -- read the SOA's (that's the Scottish Orienteering Association's) "What to do". The link is on the left. Hopefully, their advice is consistent with ours!
