Orienteering
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that involves participants following a course marked on a map and finding their way to a series of checkpoints. It is up to participants to decide which way to go, which is all part of the fun and sets it apart from just a walk or run.
With current guidelines such as social distancing and restrictions on numbers limiting some sports, orienteering is very well placed to offer a family-friendly adventurous challenge for all ages and abilities. From courses with permanent markers to discover, to virtual courses that you can complete with your smartphone or GPS watch, there has never been a better time to start your next outdoor adventure with orienteering.
How can I get involved?
Permanent Orienteering Courses
Permanent Orienteering Courses are exactly that - permanent. Checkpoints to discover are in the form of posts or plaques, in forests, heathland, parks and green spaces across the UK. A Permanent Orienteering Course is the perfect opportunity right now for getting active, enjoying the scenery and stunning locations with your family. You can also try a course as part of your training routine. Courses can be completed at any time, and at your own pace. You just need to download a map either from the British Orienteering website or your local orienteering club and away you go!
Virtual Orienteering Courses
Some clubs have also developed these virtually, so you can simply complete courses with your smartphone or GPS watch. Check out our virtual orienteering page for more information.
Orienteering Courses are great for…
Enjoying the fresh air and getting outdoors and active.
Discovering a different area.
Learning new life skills like navigation and map reading.
Available at a time or day that suits you best.
British Orienteering and orienteering clubs around the UK are working together to promote Permanent and Virtual Orienteering Courses as a way of discovering the outdoors in a socially distanced way.
For more information and how to find a course click here.
If you want to talk about how you can experience orienteering or how you can get involved, click here to find your local club.
Find out more and download free orienteering activities to do at home, in your garden or in local green spaces, visit: www.britishorienteering.org.uk/Get_Active
With thanks to British Orienteering for this article.
