What Is Orienteering?

Orienteering (sometimes referred to as “O-course” or “O”) is an adventure sport in which participants navigate using a map and compass to find their way between control points of various natural and man-made features marked on a specially drawn map.

If you like excitement, fresh air, and adventure – orienteering is the sport for you.  And it won’t cost you a fortune!

It doesn’t matter how young or old or how fit you are, orienteering caters to all ages with a range of courses to cater to recreational walkers to elite athletes.  You can go on your own or with friends and family, and you go at your own pace.

Orienteering offers people the chance to learn how to navigate confidently – whether it is through local streets and parks of Melbourne or out in the state forests in Victoria.

Course lengths vary from about 1km for beginners and children to over 10km for experienced adult orienteers.

Orienteering takes place in a variety of outdoor places, from town and city parks to forests and bushland. Each event may have a number of courses of different lengths and levels of difficulty occurring at the same time.

The skills required for orienteering is in choosing the best route between control points. Beginner’s course may not offer a choice, but as you progress you will learn to decide between options. Over a hill may be shorter in distance but take longer than going the long distance around the hill. The metal challenge as well as the physical activity makes orienteering a popular sport.

Orienteer with your friends and family and share your experiences afterward.  Many events are within a few kilometres/miles of your front door!

The best way of getting started is simply to contact a club or go along to an event.  There will be lots of experienced orienteers to help and advise you.  There will be courses for everyone and it won’t cost a lot.  The entry fee may vary. You don’t even need a compass or any special kit to try the sport.

Get off the beaten track and discover a different type of adventure! Join millions of enthusiasts and explore the great outdoors as you navigate using a map and compass to find your way between control points of various natural and man-made features marked on a specially drawn map. Orienteering will take you on a route through some stunning terrain – no two courses are the same.

The History of Orienteering?

Orienteering is an adventure sport popular in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It was introduced to the United States in 1960 and has since grown in popularity. Orienteering is an exciting sport where participants navigate using only a map and compass to find their way between control points of various natural and man-made features marked on a specially drawn map.

Who can do Orienteering?

Don’t let the word adventure scare you. Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of their background. Orienteering is a free and easy pastime that anyone can enjoy. There are no officials or referees – you’re totally self-sufficient, using your own initiative from start to finish.

The basic idea is simple – use the skills you learned in school or on the sports field and make your way between special markers, over any mix of terrain – hills, bogs, forests, and plains. All you need is a compass, a watch and your sense of direction! Orienteering actually teaches you about map reading and navigation.

Why Orienteer

• It’s an adventure sport and people love adventure.
• Fitness – It is an enjoyable way to get fit and stay fit.
• Challenging – It is mentally challenging as well as physically challenging.
• A sport for all ages – Your age does not matter as courses cater for all ages.

Conclusion

Today, orienteering is alive and well, both as a sport and as a means of helping people get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Almost everyone has an opportunity to try it, for better or for worse, and you don’t have to be a survivalist or an experienced hiker to have fun doing it. Many orienteers are just everyday folks like you who want to get outside and enjoy some time in nature. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and it gives you an opportunity to meet other people and make new friends. And although there are many disciplines within the sport of orienteering, at its heart is the same simple activity: using a map and compass to navigate through unfamiliar terrain.

Wild Earth