AIRE and CLARO look forward to seeing you all at the British Middle Championships this coming weekend. 

You have entered in greater numbers than we anticipated, but we have adapted to cater for you all as best we can.  Both Danefield and Kilnsey Moor is a lovely places in the Spring sunshine and we really hope the weather is kind so that you can enjoy it at its best.  The technical woodland of Danefield is in sharp contrast to the fast open areas of Kilnsey.  You should enjoy some great orienteering on both days.  Str8 compasses is sponsoring a lot of prizes for the Northern Championships and the British Middles so run well and good luck.

Start times and final details are published, maps are printed and lots of equipment is ready to move.  No controls are out yet, but we have been busy at Kilnsey as you may be able to see from a picture.  There are a variety of crossing points on Kilnsey Moor – many of you will only encounter this one.  There are no stiles to cross at Danefield you’ll be relieved to know.

We will be able to accommodate you all in the parking areas for both events, but as always, it would help if you car shared as much as possible.  The Danefield field has remained in good condition throughout the winter, but as some rain has been forecast over the coming days we will have some tracking available.  Kilnsey has the delight of hard standing in the quarry.  We can’t promise that you will keep your feet dry, but at least cars should not get stuck in the mud as might have happened at some recent events.  We’re hoping that’s true for Danefield.  Definitely true for Kilnsey!

Anyone wanting to carry a club tent to Danefield, could reduce the distance to carry the tent by 800m by using the drop off point suggested in the event details.  It would need to be a rapid drop-off as there are often no parking bays available. They are all quite uneven, and the road is very narrow.  To get back to the parking field it is best to not attempt a 5 point turn but to drive in an anti-clockwise route with LH turns for 2.5k to get back to the parking field.  This should take no morfme than 5 minutes.

Have a great weekend.

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Full details on the British Middle Championships are available via this link. Visit the CLARO website for more details regarding the Northern Championships. Good luck to everyone taking part!

As agreed at the AGM 2023, from 1 May 2024 British Orienteering would like to offer an exclusive part-year Membership to new members.

New members are individuals who have not been members of British Orienteering in any of the previous four calendar years.

Part year membership fees 2024

Seniors – £10

Young adults – £7.50

Juniors – £3.00

Families – £25.00 (all members must be new members and not on the database to take up this offer).

No memberships will be merged with existing memberships.

Please note from 1 January 2025, any “new” members will need to renew their membership for 2025.

Find out more about how to join online today. 

The GBR teams for the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) and the European Youth Orienteering Championships (EYOC) are announced.

The JWOC races are in Plzeň, Czechia from 1 - 6 July and the EYOC races are in Szczecin, Poland from 21 - 24 June.

All named athletes are selected to all disciplines at each competition.

In alphabetical order of surname, the JWOC team is:

Non-travelling reserves: Adam Barrie and Emma Crawford

In alphabetical order of surname, the EYOC team is:

British Orienteering has many activities to keep you and your family entertained. 

More and more people are discovering that orienteering is a fun and challenging activity that gets them exploring the great outdoors. They are gaining new skills in finding their way in unknown terrain and crossing rough and sometimes hilly ground. You are always discovering somewhere new! It's a sport with something for everyone from 10-year-olds to grandpas and grandmas.

What is orienteering?

Orienteering is an exciting adventure sport suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Participants have to navigate their way between a series of checkpoints (called controls) shown on the map. There’s no set route, you find your own way using the map.
What sort of areas are used for orienteering? Anywhere from the streets of Central London to wilderness areas in the Scottish Highlands. Venues including forests, parks, moorland, town centres, and university campuses.

Will there be an orienteering course for me?

Almost certainly. Most events have several courses of different length and difficulty graded by colour. ‘White’, ‘Yellow’ and ‘Orange’ courses are designed for complete beginners. Some events use the equally beginner friendly ‘score’ format, where you choose the controls to visit in the time limit.

What do I do at an event?

Orienteering clubs pride themselves on their welcoming approach to newcomers, so will happily spend time helping you. Here is a rough idea of what you’ll do:

• Find the event registration area and look for the large club banners and signs, choose a course and fill out a registration form.
• Hand in the form and event fee. You will be given a map, control description sheet. You may also need to hire an electronic timing stick (called a dibber).
• Start. Controls are marked with an orange-and-white flag.
• At the finish, your time is recorded. For events with electronic timing, you get a ‘splits’ printout of your times between controls.
• The host club will be happy to debrief you: discussing your route choices, help you with mistakes you may have made on course, queries about the map, etc.

What equipment do I need?

If you intend to run you’ll need running clothes and trainers, including long-running trousers if the event is in the countryside. If you intend to walk, walking boots or trainers are OK. A compass is very useful particularly for the more difficult courses (you can use a smartphone compass).

Don’t you get lost all the time?

No. Everyone gets lost sometimes, but you work out where you are sooner or later. Orienteering controls are closely spaced, so you can always retrace your steps to the previous control. After a few events, you'll spend less time making mistakes and can progress to more challenging courses.

Do you have to be able to run for hours?

No. Courses come in a variety of lengths and navigational difficulty. Participants can walk, jog or run, can treat the event as a competition or as a leisure activity.

Can I run in a pair or in a group?

Yes.

Do I need to be a club member?

No. Newcomers normally join a club after about 3 events.

Can children do orienteering?

Yes. Younger children often start the sport in family groups or are shadowed by a parent/guardian.

Can I practice orienteering without going to an event?

Yes. There are many permanent orienteering courses around the country where you can practice. Alternatively, many clubs run regular coaching sessions, often at mid-week ‘club nights’, or on weekends.

Is orienteering affordable?

Yes. Adult fees are typically £5 for a small event, to £10-£15 for a medium/large event. Low cost doesn’t mean low quality though. Club orienteering events are typically very well organised with plenty of experienced volunteers.

Sounds great! Where can I find out more?

If you know what event you are going to, you can contact the event organiser. UK events are listed here.

Otherwise, you can contact your local club. UK orienteering clubs are listed here.

Xplorer is also suitable for young families looking to get into orienteering. Xplorer activities are listed here.

Permanent Orienteering Courses are a great way to get outside and go orienteering at a time and place that suits you. Permanent Orienteering courses are listed here.

If you have any additional questions which have not been covered please do not hesitate to contact British Orienteering and we will be happy to help. Email: info@britishorienteering.org.uk or Tel: 01629 583037.

Whatever you do this February half-term we would encourage you to get out and about in the great outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and try orienteering.  Give orienteering a go!  And tell us and others how you got on.   

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