How to Do Orienteering
Orienteering is a sport that combines using a compass, reading a map and fitness. Participants run, walk, ski or bike to a series of points marked on a map. You choose your own route, hoping to complete the course in the shortest amount of time possible. Orienteering is a sport for everyone, including beginners that are learning how to read maps, and competitors in wheelchairs.
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Instructions
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Practice With Your Map and Compass
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1
Learn to use your compass. The red end of the compass needle will always point to the magnetic north pole. Hold the compass flat in your hand with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you.
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2
Turn the compass housing until the "N" is lined up with the red end of the compass needle. Turn the housing so the "E" is lined up with the direction of travel arrow on the compass.
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3
Use the map and compass together. Align the edge of the compass with the course's starting/finishing point. Turn the compass housing until the orienting arrows and lines point north on the map.
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4
Rotate the map and compass together until the red end of the compass points north. Then turn the edge of the compass so it is pointing from your starting point to the first stop on the course. Next turn the compass housing so its orienting lines are aligned with the north/south meridian lines on the map.
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Hold your carefully aligned compass in your hand and walk in the same direction the direction of travel arrow is pointing. Find a large tree, rock or other feature in the terrain as far ahead in that direction as you can and go there. When you reach your landmark, find another in the same direction and walk there; continue until you reach the first target on your map.
Participate in Your First Orienteering Event
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Register with event organizers. You will receive your map, a set of control descriptions and an electronic timing device.
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Use your map and your compass to move as quickly as possible to each of the controls. You can choose your own route between controls as long as you visit each control in order.
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Check in at each control. In some events participants have electronic timers that record when they reach each stop. In others, you will be given a small hole punch to punch a piece of the control flag.
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Complete the course by stopping at the finish table to check in. This lets the course organizers will know you are done so they won't go looking for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful not to turn your compass housing until you reach your target.
