About Orienteering ...
Contents : About orienteering - your basic questions answered About O who, where, what, how sports links on orienteering Orienteering gallery Lengths of course and types of event My results log Daily Telegraph article	Tell me a bit about orienteering, how does it work? .. with some explanatory photos

Orienteering, sometimes known as the 'thought sport' or 'cunning running', involves the use of a specially prepared, highly detailed map to filid your way to a number of check-points (controls). It's like a cross-country race, but you have to do your own navigation instead of following a set route, and you don't have to run - many people enjoy it as a walk with a little brain exercise thrown in.

HOW CAN I JOIN IN?

There are several events in different parts of the country almost every weekend throughout the year, varying from small informal local events to highly competitive championships. They are usually held in woodland, sometimes open heath and parkland, but invariably in beautiful countryside.  Most events have colour-coded courses of lengths from about 1km to 12km, with the navigation varying in technical difficulty. There is usually a 'string course' too - this is a short course with the complete route laid out with string or tape, so that youngsters don't get lost. They have their own special large scale map.

Maps are usually at scales of 1:10 000 or 1:15 000 (roughly 6 or 4.5 inches to the mile) and this large scale means that every significant feature will be on the map - every path, fence, stream, spring, marsh, depression, knoll and boulder. Obvious changes in vegetation are shown as well as contours to show the shape of the terrain. The maps are specially surveyed and printed in several colours. Sometimes, the map is already overprinted with the course - but usually you have to copy the controls from a master map onto your map (being careful and accurate!) at the start.

HOW DO NOVICES COPE AT EVENTS?

Levels of difficulty and distance on colour-coded courses increase as the colour gets darker. White courses are very short and very easy - the idea is that everyone should be able to complete the course. The route is obvious, all paths, with no possible route choice, and all controls almost within sight of each other. Yellow, orange and red courses gradually get longer, introducing more route choice and the possibility of ignoring paths and other 'handrail' features, such as fences, streams and ditches by going on a direct bee-line.

Light green, green, blue, brown and black courses are technically more difficult, using point features such as depressions and boulders as controls, requiring more careful navigation with compass and pace-counting in areas of reduced visibility. Route choice requires some thought whether to go round or over a hill for example or to go cross-country or use the paths.

TALK ME THROUGH A TYPICAL CLUB EVENT ... WHAT DO I NEED?

OK, so you're going to your first orienteering event. What do you have to take with you? Suitable clothing and footwear for the time of year and weather and according to whether you're going to run, jog or walk. Forest paths are often muddy. Full arm and leg cover is advised to avoid scratches if vou venture off the path - every forest has its bramble patch and you're sure to find it! Pre-marked maps are sometimes provided in sealed clear plastic bags, but usually you will be given an unmarked map so bring an A4 sized polythene bag with you - if it rains, you can't find your way looking at a piece of papier mache!  A red ballpoint or fibre-tip pen is needed to mark your map with the circles indicating the controls and the numbered order of visiting them. A protractor-type compass (e.g. Silva) is useful but not essential, unless you are going for the technically difficult courses and
a whistle is useful in case you get lost (what, me? - yes, even the champions make mistakes sometimes). Finally, for after the event, some food and drunk is advisable and perhaps a change of clothing if the weather warrants it.

The organiser has provided details of place and time and either an Ordnance Survey map reference for the assembly point, or road directions on how to get there, or both.  Sunday morning events usually have start times available from 10:30 to 12:30, so you need to get there in sufficient time (say up to an hour beforehand) to find out what courses are available, register your entry, get your map and nose around! There will be officials only too glad to help beginners and explain what to do - just ask.

The entry fee varies, anything from £1.50 to £3 for adults and 50p to £1.50 for children (the string course is often free!), and covers the cost of the organisation, landowners charges and the map (which you keep). Envelopes are available for addressing and you can have the full printed results posted to your home later for a smalll fee. Alternatively, find out the URL of the organising club as most events' results are available this way as well.

Participants usually compete on their own but pairs and small groups are permitted. Starting at minute intervals to allow the previous competitor to get out of sight of the next one, you have to decide on a route to each control and successfully navigate to it. Depending on the course colour, there may be a choice of different paths or (using a compass) going direct and ignoring the paths completely.  Each competitor carries a control card which is punched at each control as proof of finding it. Controls are usually unmanned and consist of  an orange and white banner hung at a siginficant feature marked on the map. (String course controls are normally painted hardboard cutouts of well-known cartoon characters.) The route from the last control to the finish is usually marked by tape. Here your control card is handed in so that your card may be checked and your time calculated. A cold drink is provided and your result will be displayed in the assembly area.

If you have enjoyed yourself you can ask officials of the organising club about future events.  They will also have details of club membership, although it is not necessary to join straight away.