Table of Contents
OOC - Resources
Table of Contents
The club will lend the use of its flags, punches, etc. to other organizations who wish to organize their own orienteering event. Contact for availability.
For a pdf of the international symbols used on our control descriptions click HERE;
For a really entertaining control symbol learning game try: http://www.fortnet.org/icd/
To relate these symbols to the map, see section 4 of this pdf which gives mappers directions on symbols to be used on their maps.
OOC frequently uses an electronic timing system from the German company SportIdent (SI) for its meets. This system is used throughout North America and Europe.
The orienteer carries a small chip on her finger – the SI card - that she inserts at control stations to record the fact that she was there and the time. At the finish she downloads the contents of the chip, receives a printout with split times and total time. Results of all competitors are posted on the web within a day or two. After the event, competitors can compare individual legs with others, chat about route choices, and better determine which was the better choice.
SI cards can be rented ($2.00 per event) or purchased at OOC events.
OOC’s purchase of this system was made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture that awards $100 million per year, generated through Ontario’s charity casino initiative, to community organizations.
We have some club jackets from previous orders. If there is sufficient interest for a new order of jackets or shirts we will organize a re-order. If you are interested please send your information to
There are no permanent distributors of specialized orienteering shoes or clothing in the Ottawa area. There are several mail-order companies in the U.S. who will deliver to Canada. They are:
A&E Orienteering at: http://www.aeorienteering.com
or, Orienteering Unlimited at: http://www.orienteeringunlimited.com
Simple base plate compasses can be bought at several of the outdoor/wilderness sports stores such as Trailhead, Bushtukah, Fresh Air Experience and Mountain Equipment Co-op. World of Maps has them too. When purchasing a compass move it around and upside down, move yourself around. Check that the compass finds north quickly - you don't want to be waiting for a compass in the woods while others are running past you. You are looking for speed, accuracy and a 1-3 cm measure. You do not need declination or other added features.
For thumb compasses (used by many seasoned orienteers), see O-Store - a web based but local provider.
If you own a watch size GPS that you want to carry with you to track your route here are 2 software packages that will allow you to overlay your route onto an O map.
Both are free software
Here is one person's assessment of the 2:
I have been using Quickroute for almost a year. I find it is very good and user friendly.
O-GPS is developed by orienteers in Manitoba. It does the same thing as quickroute and more. Apparently O-GPS allows the user to enter more than one track on a map and then have the icons race each other around the course similar to Route Gadget.
If I had learned of O-GPS before I started using Quick Route I probably would have chosen it.
In any case I use quick route for more than orienteering. Using the NCC ski map as a base I tracked all my XC skiing this winter and using a county road map I tracked all my biking in the Pinehurst area last month.
Use this to speed up your registration at our meets. Be sure to fill out both sides of the form
find full membership information and forms here
Both OOC and COF publish their newsletters on their web sites
There is only one "orienteering specific" magazine published in North America.
Orienteering North America magazine
Orienteering North America (ONA) is the only magazine covering orienteering and other map and compass sports in the USA and Canada. ONA offers advice on training, nutrition and sports medicine, coverage of major events, a comprehensive calendar of local and "A" events, and much more. For more information you can contact publisher Donna Fluegel by
For subscription information and on-line payment go directly to: http://www.us.orienteering.org/ona.html
There is no local or even Canadian source we can recommend currently for books or training aids. You are best to contact the US companies listed under Shoes and clothing.
The club produces high quality, detailed maps specifically for the sport of orienteering. The club retains copyright privileges on all the maps it produces. We generally do not sell copies directly to the public but we will sell copies to other sports or recreational organizations if they are to be used to stage orienteering events. Contact the to make a purchase.
This guide gives meet directors guidelines, reminders, resources, links, contacts, past meet results (for number estimates) to help you plan and run your meet. Are you thinking you would like to become a meet director? Do you wonder just how much work it is? Have a look at this guide but don't be frightened by the work involved. It can be very rewarding to be a meet director and planning courses will improve your own orienteering. If, after reading this, you are interested in becoming a meet director send an email to the