Orienteering in South Africa

Western Cape Champs in April

This year, the Western Cape Orienteering Championships, presented by the Peninsula Orienteering Club (PENOC), takes place over the weekend of 10 and 11 April 2010. Middle and classic distance events will be held in the Lebanon South area of the Grabouw forests.

175 participants and sunny skies

For the first time in the 2010 Short Course season Gauteng was blessed with perfect weather for the Zoo Lake event, hosted by Adventure Racing Club. And, to mark the occasion, we had a wonderful turnout with around 125 cards and 175 participants.

Three down – GOC and YOC news

The Gauteng Orienteering Clubs (GOC) Short Course series is now three events down following the Valentine’s Day event at Brescia House School (14 February 2010). Although rain threatened, the event was well attended by adults, juniors and Young Orienteer Challenge (YOC) children.

200 orienteers at the Zoo

The first event of the 2010 Gauteng Short Course Series took place at the Jo’burg Zoo on Sunday, 24 January. With its many paths and road, open gardens, dozens of buildings and enclosures and interesting features, this is fast-running terrain with navigation suited to all levels.

Orienteers get Fair Play Award

The athletes Thierry Gueorgiou (FRA), Anders Nordberg (NOR) and Michal Smola (CZE) will be recognised by the International Committee for Fair Play for their sportsmanship during the World Orienteering Championships relay in Hungary in 2009.

Short Course Series, Jo’burg

The 2010 Short Course Series has kicked off in Jo’burg. With events in parks, schools and even the Jo’burg Zoo, this Series is rockin’ the city. There are events most weekends from now until mid-April. Whatcha waiting for? Get punching!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may take part? Anyone! Orienteering can be enjoyed by men, women and children, whether old or young, fit or unfit. As you set your own pace, it is ideal recreation for individuals or groups.

Useful tips & techniques

A Control Description Sheet will be given to you before your start containing all the necessary information about the control sites you will need to visit on your chosen course. On beginners’ courses words are used, but internationally accepted symbols are used in the advanced courses.

Safety guidelines

Always stop and assist a fellow Orienteer clearly in distress. If the person is able to move (e.g. minor cut or sprain) – assist them to the finish area. In more serious cases (e.g. broken limb), call out for assistance from other competitors in the area.

Some Basic Navigation Techniques

Handrails’ are linear features, which can be identified on the map and in the terrain and used to assist in navigating from one control point to another. These include paths, tracks, fences, powerlines, streams and clear vegetation boundaries, but can also be features such as lines or cliffs, ridges, and valleys or re-entrants.