Orienteering became, if not the Sport of Kings, then at least the Game of Princes when Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark took part in the 'Find your Way in Denmark Day' recently and introduced his children to the sport. Orienteering was invented in Sweden by the army, and is much beloved of the Scandinavian countries and is now widespread around the world, with 73 nations members of the International Orienteering Federation. Thousands of people of all ages and levels of fitness take up the challenge every year. So what is this sport all about?
Orienteers navigate across country using a specialist map, making their way as quickly as they can between control points. Reading the map accurately and puzzling out the best route to take is as much the challenge as the physical element of covering the distance of the course. This need for brainwork rather than just physical ability means that people can compete in the sport competitively for many years. In a recent World Masters Championships there were nearly 100 runners over the age of 80! In orienteering there is plenty of room for everyone; it does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and finish at your own pace. As well as the traditional foot orienteering other forms of the sport have proliferated; there is Ski-O, Mountain Bike O, Trail O and even Horse O.
Orienteering courses are set in all sorts of places - from city centres to remote bushland, from urban parks and school playgrounds to farmland. Orienteering clubs bring together groups of people in their local areas, who love the sport. Clubs organise and run the events giving an opportunity for club members to make friends and work together. Events can be simple affairs with a limited number of courses, to race series such as the Sydney Summer Series run in the summer around urban areas, to State level multi-day carnivals with high quality bush maps and course setting available. Newcomers are always welcome. Get in touch with your local club, or just come along to an event. There are always club coaches on hand to help you get started. The full schedule of events can be found on the Events page of this website.
And now you don't even have to wait for an event to try out orienteering. Orienteering NSW in partnership with Centennial Park Sydney, launches their first public permanent course in inner Sydney this weekend. Uringa Orienteers President Linda Sesta has been working hard with the Centennial Park management and the Conservation Volunteers Australia to set up courses which can be used for all levels of orienteers, from absolute beginners to the more experienced. Map and instruction packs will be available from the Centennial Park Visitors Center in July and then off you go!
Photo shows from left to right :Peter Hadfield - Executive Officer of the Centennial Parklands Foundation, Linda Sesta - President, Uringa Orienteers, Paul Prudhoe - President Orienteering NSW, Kim Ellis - Director and Chief Executive of Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust
Michael Ellison - Sydney Region Manager for Conservation Volunteers Australia
