Orienteering is a sport in which you race against the clock as you use a topographical map and a compass to get from checkpoint to checkpoint to reach a predetermined goal. You are presented with a control card at the beginning, mark it in some way, usually electronically, at each control point, and then present it at the end. Originally designed as a military exercise, orienteering is now practiced by all ages from children to seniors for fitness and survival training, in competitions, and just for fun. Events are organized at international, national, and local levels. An internet search would probably locate an orienteering club or society near you.
There are several types of orienteering. Here are some examples:
- In foot orienteering, the oldest form of the sport, you walk or run through unfamiliar terrain.
- Trail orienteering focuses more on accuracy in map and compass reading rather than racing. Since you move on predetermined trails and you need to be accurate, not fast, it is a good variation for older people and even for the disabled.
- In mountain bike orienteering you race along a predetermined trail which has various levels of difficulty and obstacles. You would want to try this only if you are an experienced cyclist and in very good shape.
- Ski-orienteering also involves racing along a predetermined trail, only using cross country skiing techniques. This would be difficult for most seniors.
There are other variations, such as canoe orienteering, mounted orienteering, and car orienteering, but these are the four methods governed by the International Orienteering Federation. As you can see, some are more suitable for seniors than others.
If you want to try orienteering you need the following equipment:
- A thumb compass, or a protractor compass with a wrist cord;
- A clear map case to protect the map you’ll be given;
- Light, waterproof shoes made of tough fabric; usually they have cleats on the bottom to aid traction;
- Appropriate outdoor clothing. Internationally it needs to be full body covering, but in the US usually you can wear what you want. However, you should keep in mind that if you are crossing unfamiliar terrain being fully covered protects you from scratching yourself on undergrowth.
In conclusion, orienteering may be challenging, but at the same time it is a lot of fun. It might be the right sport for you.
