In a nutshell
Lots of people trying to get from A-Z in the right order without the use of a sat-nav!

Tell me more!
Orienteering is a great way to fill a day and keep fit at the same time. The basic premise is that you use a marked out map and your powers of deduction to get yourself to each control (fancy name for a registration point) in the right order, swiping (known as punching) your electronic card along the way as proof you made it from start to finish. Start times are staggered so that no one really knows how well or badly you are doing whilst being timed may give you the push needed to stand and think for a minute where you need to go instead of randomly wandering off in a vague direction!

The stuff you need
Getting started is low cost as the basics are comfortable clothes to walk or run in (long trousers are a must to protect yourself from potential scratches, stings or bites), trainers, a compass, pen and possibly a whistle. Maps are usually provided at the start and as with all sports, you can upgrade your start up clobber to proper orienteering stuff. You can invest in an electronic card for punching but these can usually be hired at the event for as little as £1.

Cool things you can do
There are local, regional and national events organised which can include training, night, relays and score events. Courses are graded by technical difficulty, (TD1 easiest, TD5 hardest) and some follow a colour coded system which measures the difficulty and length of the course. This means you can go for a stroll with the family on a yellow course and perhaps break out into a run with a mate on a more difficult blue route which will include harder terrain and longer distances; it’s a great way to progress as you stop getting lost and start getting faster! There are also permanent courses set up around the country which are great for beginners and can help hone the skills of the more experienced. Joining a club will introduce you to new people with the same interests who can pass on handy tips such as suitable courses to bring your dog along to or accessible courses for the less able.   

People in the know!
britishorienteering.org.uk
trailo.org

Interested in this? Why not check out climbing and mountaineering, geocaching, slacklining, trail and fell running, walking and hiking

Images courtesy of britishorienteering.co.uk

Pick up a few tips before you join your first event!