Orienteering “The Thinking Sport”

1. Orienteering“The Thinking Sport”

2. What is Orienteering? • Sport of using a map and compass to navigate a set course through unfamiliar terrain • Can be competitive or recreational • Competitive objective is to be the fastest to complete the course correctly • Simple to learn but difficult to master

3. Challenges Mind and Body • Analysis of very detailed information • Quick decision-making • Concentration • Physical endurance, strength, and agility • Physical exertion impacts thinking ability

4. Equipment • Map - participant keeps • Compass • Watch • Long pants and shirt recommended • O-Suit and shoes - optional

5. Typical Event • Held in a state or county park • Run by volunteers • Beginners are welcome • Free instruction available • Array of courses for different levels of physical ability and navigational skill

6. Typical Course • Designed so the winner should finish in about an hour. • Beginner courses designed so winner finishes in about 30 minutes • Composed of “controls” located on mapped features • Controls are orange and white bags with a unique code and metal-toothed punch

7. Typical Sequence of Events • Registration - pay, pick up punch card and control descriptions • Start - competitor sees map for first time • Participants are started at intervals • Rules • Self-powered • No following or receiving help • Navigate through controls in sequence

8. How to Follow a Course • Identify start triangle • Navigate to first control • Check control code • Punch control card • Navigate to next control, etc... • Finish - card is checked for accuracy

11. Basic Techniques • Handrails – features that you can follow. • Collecting Features – collect you before the control. • Catching Features – catch you after you have passed the control. • Attack Point – a feature near the control that is easy to find.

12. Parts of the compass • Magnetic needle -- the red side always points North. • 360 degrees dial with North arrow -- the dial turns to line up North on the compass with the magnetic declination lines on the map. • Base plate with direction of travel arrow -- lines up the compass with the desired route on the map.

13. Using the compass • Most important use: orienting the map • Lay the compass on the map with the long side edge of the base plate along the intended route on the map with the direction of travel arrow pointing toward the destination. • Holding the base plate still, turn the dial until the North arrow on the dial is parallel to the magnetic North lines on the map. Kjetil Kjernsmo's illustrated guide http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/lesson2.html

14. Using the compass (cont.) • Your compass is now set; pick it up and hold it with the direction of travel arrow pointing in front of you. • Turn your body around until the red end of the magnetic needle is over the North arrow inside the dial on the compass; keeping the needle over the arrow, follow the direction of travel arrow to your next position.

15. Other Event Formats • Short and long events • Score orienteering - time limit, no set sequence, controls worth points • Mass start events • Relays • Night events • ROGAINEs - 24 hour score-O team events

16. Other Forms • Ski-O • Mountain Bike-O • Canoe-O • Horseback-O • Trail-O - no physical component

17. Information Sources • Orienteering Utah • www.o-utah.org • Contacts, schedule, and other information • US Orienteering Federation (USOF) • www.orienteeringusa.org • Local clubs across the US • International Orienteering Federation (IOF) • www.orienteering.org

18. Now a few words from today’s Meet Director, Suellen Riffkin

19. O-Utah 2011 Partial Schedule • Next next Saturday – April 23rd – Sugar House Park – 9-11 a.m. • April 30th – Scout-O-Rama • May 14th – Hidden Valley Park, Sandy – 3-5 p.m. • June 11th – Jordan Parkway, Draper – 10-12 • June 25 – Kaysville Mountain Park – 10-12