OOC - Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? Click on the question number to be taken to the answer

1 I am a regular outdoor person and I would like to improve my orientation skills to better enjoy backcountry hikes. I have no interest whatsoever in the running part of orienteering. Also, I wonder if I can do orienteering in French.

2 I would like to know whether or not dogs are allowed to accompany their owners on the orienteering course?

3 Regular "B" meets - are these solo events or can a couple or pair run the course together

4 If I'm a fairly confident adventure race navigator - what level would I have the most fun with at these "B" meets?

5 Can I bring my children? What should we expect?

6 What should I bring? What should I wear?

7 Will there be basic instruction available?

8 Is there anything I need to do before I come to an event?

9 Does your club ever have social events?

10 I am a Youth Group Leader. Can I bring my whole group to one of your events?

11 It's an international sport? I hear people talking of their travels to orienteering meets in Europe, Australia and beyond. They seem to have had a good time. Are they really international calibre athletes, or is this just an excuse to travel?

12 I’ve been to a few events. I’d really like to speed up, and be more competitive. Any suggestions?

13 I have heard of 'electronic punching'. What is this?

14 Is there somewhere I can find coaching tips to improve my skills

15 I have no knowledge of orienteering but would love to try it with my three boys aged 5, 7 and 8. I would prefer them to be introduced to the activity in French with French material.Is this possible at the OOC?

I am a regular outdoor person and I would like to improve my orientation skills to better enjoy backcountry hikes. I have no interest whatsoever in the running part of orienteering. Also, I wonder if I can do orienteering in French.

Yes the sport of orienteering will give you a better feeling of confidence in the woods - use and understanding of a map, sense of direction, use of compass if you wish and just a general good feeling about the woods.

Orienteering is not just for runners. Many folks walk the course (rather than running) and get thorough enjoyment from that (sometimes they do better as well because they take time and don't make mistakes) Our main activity periods are late April to end of June and September to mid November - as the weather allows.

Although the club operates primarily in English, we have many french members. Beginner courses use verbal instruction and we try to have this available in both languages. Intermediate and up use international symbols which you would quickly learn.

I would like to know whether or not dogs are allowed to accompany their owners on the orienteering course?

Dogonit, O is fun! But not for dogs.

Although dogs like to go orienteering, on leash or, especially, off, some runners and the club have concerns. Many folks are uncomfortable around dogs and find their presence a distraction which, at the least, causes them to lose concentration.

In addition, OOC is concerned about land-owner relations. Many of the sites we use, particularly NCC sites, do not permit dogs off leash, or even on-leash if off trail. Although others have their dogs in the woods, we would prefer that orienteers did not , lest we loose our rights – and yes we do need NCC (or other landowner) permission to hold our meets.

OOC Board

Regular "B" meets - are these solo events or can a couple or pair run the course together

Yes - groups of 2 or more (called Wayfarers) are welcome and this is a good way to start, to gain confidence in the woods or to help a friend who is learning. However, orienteering is an individual sport and to be competitive in orienteering you must learn to run as individuals so at some point give this a try as well

If I'm a fairly confident adventure race navigator - what level would I have the most fun with at these "B" meets?

I suggest you start at intermediate and when you do that easily go to an advanced course. Note that you are required to return to the start within 3 hours and we'd like you to be back within 2 as the meet director has to go out and collect controls once everyone is in - and supper gets calling.

Can I bring my children? What should we expect?

Yes absolutely! Orienteering makes a wonderful family sport. You can go out as a group. You can 'shadow' a child who understands the basics and wants some independence. Older children with some experience might tackle the novice or intermediate courses on their own or with a friend - your judgment pending.

Does your club ever have social events?

Yes! However, nothing is very formal. Sometimes we'll have a barbecue following the meet or arrange to go to a local restaurant for supper after an evening meet. At our AGM we have a potluck supper with some orienteering games and or slides. Keep your ear to the ground, and make sure you are on the OOC email list.

I am a Youth Group Leader. Can I bring my whole group to one of your events?

Yes, certainly! But be sure to let the organizer know how many people of what ages and levels of experience will be coming.

Is there anything I need to do before I come to an event?

If the schedule shows a link for pre-registration, please do register ahead of time. This gives the organizer a better idea of the number of maps that will be needed. If you are a beginner and would like a quick orientation be sure to tell him/her. There will be a contact email given with the event information.

Orienteering is an international sport? I hear people talking of their travels to orienteering meets in Europe, Australia and beyond. They seem to have had a good time. Are they really international calibre athletes, or is this just an excuse to travel?

We do have a few international calibre athletes in the club but for most it is more likely the latter! The sport is a great excuse to travel, to explore new and interesting terrain, and to meet new people. Orienteering was developed in Sweden, and some events in Scandinavia have tens of thousands of participants! There are less technical courses for less experienced orienteers, so you really don’t have to be an elite competitor to travel to far flung events. Talk it up, search the web, and start packing your bags!

I’ve been to a few events. I’d really like to speed up, and be more competitive. Any suggestions?

Keep in mind the “golden rule” that you should never go faster than a pace at which you can keep track of exactly where you are on the map at all times. Even if you are superbly fit and fast, until your ability to read the map and choose a route on the fly develops, you will need to keep your speed down. If you don’t, you are quite likely to make major errors or to completely lose track of where you are, and get frustrated. Start slowly, and speed up gradually as your map reading improves. It does take time ...but that’s what makes the sport challenging and interesting.

What should I bring? What should I wear?

Bring a compass, if you have one. An inexpensive (base plate) compass is just fine. If you don’t have one, we usually have rentals available. Bring a whistle, if you have one or we have them for sale. Dress yourself comfortably, as you would for a hike or a run. Keep in mind that, at some events, you may get a little (or even a lot) muddy. As your navigation skills increase, you may start to make route choices that lead you through bushy areas where long and snag resistant pants and sleeves would be an asset.

Will there be basic instruction available?

OOC offers basic instructional courses periodically. Keep an eye on this website for information. You can always get an introduction that will allow you to go out and safely get started. Orienteering is best learnt by doing! A great way to improve your understanding is to compare the exact route that you took with someone else who did the same course as you. At the end of the event, take time to compare notes with others for some constructive sharing of ideas. If you had difficulties or have any questions after your run, don't hesitate to ask the meet director or any others mingling about. We are quiet, secretive folk in the woods but happy to chat after.

I have heard of 'electronic punching'. What is this?

We now have this at many of our meets. The runner carries a small finger-like device that is inserted into control boxes to electronically record the time they reach a control. This gives each runner split times and gives the course setter electronic calculation of results.

Is there somewhere I can find coaching tips to improve my skills

There are a number of good sites on the web with pointers at all levels. Here are some we might recommend. http://www.act.orienteering.asn.au/coaching/coaching.html
http://www.web-ling.com/orienteer/orienteer3.htm
http://www.orienteeringunlimited.com/visualglossary.htm
Read through some of these and don't hesitate to ask club members to discuss further clarification.

I have no knowledge of orienteering but would love to try it with my three boys aged 5, 7 and 8. I would prefer them to be introduced to the activity in French with French material.Is this possible at the OOC?

In the spring we have, for the past few years, held a 'Beginner's clinic' where we teach the basics in a 1 hour evening course in Vincent Massey Park. The group is split into smaller groups of 6-10 folk and we always have a french speaking person ready to take their group in french. So that might be the first step.

At each meet we will do an informal instruction for any new comer(s) (just one on one) and if the newcomer prefers to speak french we will find an instructor who can help in that language. When you bring your boys to their first meet, mention to the registrar that you would like some pointers in french.

On the teacher's page of our website I give a link to a Swiss site - in French. It has instructions and 'games' a teacher might present for a young class.

The junior program may run a program for novice juniors whereby the advanced juniors run short clinics before some of the meets. If there is sufficient interest, and we can find advanced juniors who are comfortable enough in french, this may be another avenue. Our junior coordinators have been notified of your interest.