Orienteering - world champs style!
Orienteering - world champs style!
Orienteering is a sport in which people, generally on their own, navigate their way around a course using a map (although children and beginners often orienteer in groups). It can by done on foot (Foot-O), mountain-bike (MTB-O), skis (Ski-O) and wheelchair (Trail-O). Orienteering in Ireland is almost entirely Foot-O, but some MTB-O & Trail-O have taken place recently
Orienteering is a sport suitable for all from the chronic unfit couch-potato to the most committed athlete. It can consist of a nice leisurely 2 or 3 kilometer walk on paths or a gruelling 10 kilometer race cross-country over harsh terrain - the choice is yours! Most people don't take it too seriously, but orienteering is a competitive sport, that can be competed in up to the highest international level, with Ireland sending teams every year to the Foot-O World Orienteering Championships. Orienteering originated in Sweden towards the end of the 19th century, and is still most popular in Scandinavia. Not surprisingly, the sport is dominated by the Scandinavian countries, other Nordic countries, especially Finland & Russia and the Alpine countries, especially Switzerland.
Competitors run a course consisting of a series of control flags, marked on their map, which must be visited in a specific order. At each control there is a punch which must be used to mark a control card, or an electronic station to electronically 'punch' an electronic control card. Competitors are timed, the winner being the one to have successfully punched all the controls in the correct order in the shortest possible time!
More information on orienteering can be obtained by visiting some of the great websites listed in the 'LINKS' section of our website, such as the Irish Orienteering Association (IOA) and International Orienteering Federation (IOF). But the only real way to get a true understanding of orienteering is to come to our next event, check the fixtures list in the 'EVENTS' section of the website for details. People at every event are more than happy to explain everything that the beginner needs to know to have a great day out!
An interesting control feature :o)
Kerry Orienteers, or KerryO, is the local orienteering club covering County Kerry in the Southwest of Ireland. It was established in 1982 (the first Kerry map, Cappanalea, having been completed in 1981). It is affiliated to the Irish Orienteering Association (IOA), the governing body for the sport in Ireland.
We hold about 10 events each year, 5 in the Autumn and 5 in the Spring. Our maps are spread around Kerry, but a large number of them (like our membership!) are in and around the Killarney region. Which is not surprising really since it's home to the highest mountains in Ireland and much native woodland too. That makes for great orienteering conditions, as well as the spectacular scenery! The sea features prominently too, with a number of maps on sand dune systems adjoining excellent beaches such as Inch, Rossbeigh & Banna. There really is plenty of variety orienteering in Kerry.
Events are open to all. As well as members of KerryO, we get many competitors coming from clubs in the neighbouring County Cork and other parts of Munster. Not to mention members of clubs from other parts of Ireland and other countries too! And even if you're a beginner and not in a club, you can come & try out an event. If you like it, you can join KerryO afterwards. All you need to bring to try the beginner courses are a change of clothes (tracksuit best - don't orienteer in jeans) and waterproof jacket in case it rains. A towel is handy to dry yourself should you get wet. And don't forget a packed lunch; you could even bring it out with you on the course & stop for a brief picnic!