Guide to BOC Summer Events

This short guide is for anyone who has just started doing some of the Summer events or might be interested in trying one.

First of all, some points.

1. These events are open to anyone. You do not need to be registered or a member of a club.
2. You do not need a compass.
3. There is a choice of courses so you can start off on the easy one.
4. You can go at whatever pace you like - run, jog or just walk.

So, what is Orienteering?

Basically, there are points called "Controls" which are scattered throughout the woods (usually on or near paths). You need to find all the points on your course. Think of it as a puzzle that you need to solve.
 
 

This is what a control looks like. Each control will have a code like the one shown above.	On each control, you will find a punch.  You use this to punch the relevant box on your control card.

Where is the event on?

You may be familiar with some of the places where the events are held like Currabinny and Farran. We have a webpage on this site called Location of Events which will give you instructions on how to find each event. Most summer events are held within a 20 mile radius of Cork City.

What time is it on?

Between 6pm and 7pm, although if it is your first event, you may be better off getting there before 6:30pm.

What next?

Well, when you arrive, you first have to register. There is usually someone in a car doing the registration. You need to decide what course you want to do, Sprint or Score. If you are a beginner, you should probably do the Sprint course. I'll explain the difference below. The cost for the event is usually €4 for an adult.
You will now recieve 2 items, a 'Control' card  and a 'Control Description' card.

First of all, lets look at the Control Description card. Depending on which course you have chosen, the Control Description should look like one of those shown below. As you can see, the 'Sprint' course has fewer controls than the 'Score' course and nearly all of the controls are located on or very close to paths.
 

Sprint Course	Score Course

This is what a blank Control Card look like. You then fill in your details.  As the summer events are inter-firm, you normally fill in your place of employment where it says 'Club/School/Company'.  As for the 'Competition Class/Age Group', You just fill in M or F (Male/Female) for the Summer events.

Most people write the control codes and descriptions onto their 'Control Card' so they dont have to carry the control description card as well and it makes checking the code at the control a lot faster. See below.
 
 

In the example shown above, I have used written descriptions for numbers 1 to 5. You can use this when you are starting off. As you get a bit more experienced, you will get to know some of the orienteering symbols like those shown in 6 to 10 above.

When you have your 'Control Card' filled out, you need to go to the start point to get a start time (This is often the same as the registration point). You will be given the map about 20 seconds before your start time which you can then examine. You start when the person in charge tells you to go.

As you can see below, there is a difference between the 'Sprint' course and the 'Score' course.
 

Sprint Course	Score Course
Note that the start point is always the red triangle. With the 'Sprint' course, you need to find the controls in numerical order. See how there is a red line joining the controls, showing you what order you need to do them in. Usually the fastest runner will win the 'Sprint' course. The 'Sprint' course will usually suit beginners or anyone who just wants to go for a light jog or walk in the woods.	Again, the start point is the red triangle.  With the 'Score' course, you need to find as many of the controls as you can in under 1 hour. You need to decide what is the best route to take. See the map above, what do you think is the best route? Remember, going uphill takes time and effort. You need to take distance, terrain and gradient into account when deciding what is the best route. As a result, the fastest runners do not always win. The 'Score' course will usually suit those with a bit more experience and want a bit more of a challenge.

Note that the finish point is usually back at where you started.

The results of each event are usually put up on the website within 24 to 48 Hours. See the Fixtures and Results page on this website.

Still Confused??

The best thing is to try a few events. You are bound to make mistakes at the start but it wont be long before you get the hang of it.

Back to the Bishopstown Orienteering Club Main Page