Orienteering

About Orienteering

Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport that exercises both the mind and the body. The aim is to navigate in sequence between control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace.

Orienteering can take place anywhere from remote forest and countryside to urban parks and school playgrounds.  It’s a great sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills or for anyone who loves the outdoors. You can take part singly or in pairs or small groups.

Orienteering - The adventure sport for all!

 

Local Info

See the club web sites for up to date information - beginners are welcome without being a member and there will be someone to help, especially at the local level of ‘event’.

 

Local Contacts

Regional Development Officer: Christine Robinson: chris@britishorienteering.org.uk

Southdowns Orienteers: www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk  

Saxons Orienteering Club: www.saxons-oc.org

 

National Contacts

British Orienteering: www.britishorienteering.org.uk

 

Rules of the Game
 

Most ‘events’ have a range of courses which are colour coded. There may be the following courses on offer: White = short & easy navigation on paths and tracks; Yellow = a bit longer with easy navigation; Orange = medium difficulty navigation and a good starting course for anyone who is confident outdoors with maps up to Green / Blue and Brown courses which test experienced orienteers map reading and fitness. The object is to navigate round the course visiting the checkpoints or controls in the numbered order on the course map.

Some ‘events’ may be designated as a ‘Score’ competition when the object is to visit as many controls in any order in a given time.