What Orienteering Is….. and a few things it is not

Orienteering...                                                                                                                  An excellent definition

• is a sport requiring navigation using map and compass around a preset course through unfamiliar terrain.
• takes place in forested (ideally) settings as events (meets) organized (usually) by local orienteering clubs.
• originated, and is most popular and most advanced in Scandinavia.
• events require a highly accurate and detailed map drawn specially for the sport.
• events consist of courses designed to test navigational and running ability.
• courses are a series of controls (check points) marked on the map and in the forest with flags (markers).
• controls are actually accurately mapped features and the markers are clearly visible as identified.
• strives to minimize the element of luck. There are no tricks, riddles, gimmicks. Locating the controls is a matter of straight forward navigational skill.
• controls are fully described on description sheets (sometimes inappropriately called "clues") which are provided to the competitors.
• competitors typically start alone and navigate on their own, ideally without influence by others.
• competitors prove they have all of the controls by using the unique needle punch  located at each control to mark cards carried for that purpose. "Electronic punching" is now becoming the standard..
• skill is a combination of map reading and running abilities with the use of the compass of relatively minor importance.
• events usually include many courses designed for varying levels of ability and fitness.
• objectives include finding and following the best route to complete the course as quickly as possible with a minimum of errors.
• appeals to a wide range of interests no matter how competition or recreation oriented and the sport is essentially the same for all.
• is governed by rules emphasizing fairness, navigational challenge and a range of prescribed standards for maps, course length and difficulty and event administration.
• events are at their best where the terrain is technical, runnable and well mapped, courses are fair and correctly designed, the element of luck is minimized and the participants do well and, consequently, have fun..
• like baseball and other major sports has its sandlot, semi pro and big leagues counterparts but unlike those sports, combines participation at all levels at the same events.
• events typically offer several courses and competitive classes. White or Yellow courses are designed for novices and younger age groups. Color coding indicates technical and physical difficulty levels. Larger events offer a wide range age/gender group competition.
• is NOT like a "treasure hunt," an "Easter egg hunt" or a "road rally on foot" but, perhaps, with a similar sense of adventure and discovery.
• is NOT merely finding your way with map and compass. Nor is it those compass and pacing exercises you may remember from the military or scouts.
• is NOT finding hidden markers in the woods.  Controls are marked with flags which are clearly visible upon reaching the control point.
• in its classic form takes place on foot but there is also ski-orienteering (which is well established) and other offshoots sanctioned by their own body of rules.
• championships in the US are conducted in standard orienteering, short course, long course, night, relay and other formal versions.
• is often presented in modified form at informal events for training or novelty, the most popular which is probably "score" orienteering.
• athletes are among the fittest of any sport and the best can physically outrun the top Kenyan track athletes in forest terrain while navigating and the Kenyans only following.
• is best learned by starting with the easiest course and advancing only as you have mastered the necessary skills, advice that applies even to newcomers with good map reading ability and the strongest runners. With few exceptions, the newcomer who ignores the standard advisory ALWAYS DO THE WHITE (BEGINNING) COURSE FIRST and insists on intermediate or higher learns the hard way. It's like attempting the expert slopes your first time skiing.
• allows slower runners and hikers to often finish ahead of strong runners through superior navigation.
• has a large following of "non-competitive" participants, particularly in the US, who enjoy the sport for health, recreational, educational and social benefits.
• is a great way to learn map reading, keep fit, travel and meet great people, have regular family outings, and get to know the out-of-doors.
• welcomes newcomers of any ability, particularly if you are willing to help with the organization of the sport. Join a club near you.

More What is Orienteering and some "how to do it."
http://orienteer.com 3/18/99, rev. 5/24/99, 8/30/99, 10/14/99, 4/29/05

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