Gauteng O season begins

The Gauteng orienteering season begins on Sunday, 24 January 2010, with a much-loved short-course event at the Jo’burg Zoo. As the first of the eight-event series, this Zoo event – held at a location that is familiar to many – is the perfect place for beginners (adults and children) to try this fun map-and-compass navigation sport.

The other seven events take place from end-January,  through February and March and into mid-April. And, with events in the Centurion and at the Tshwane University of Technology, even Pretoria-based orienteers get to attend events on home soil.

Two courses are presented at each Short Course event; the shorter is around 2.5-kilometres and the longer is around four kilometres.

A special feature of the Short Course Series is the Young Orienteers Challenge (YOC). Young Orienteers receive a certificate and collectible EMIT Buddy badges – like the cub/scout system – after three events completed (either alone, with their folks or with a friend). There is also a short ‘string course’ for children under 5. Playful control characters entice children to follow the course.

A series of colour-coded events, which are longer and more technical (5 courses of different length and difficulty are presented at each event to accommodate all ages and skill levels) will follow the Short Course Series from late-April.

For more on the sport of orienteering, events and club, visit www.orienteering.co.za.

 

2 Comments

  1. Hi – we are very keen to start orienteering but a little lost already!! Do we just arrive an hour before the start at the event, what should we bring and most importantly should I learn to read a map before or can we run as a family ages ranging from 8 – 15 plus aged parents!!!

    Thanks – for your help

    • There are people at each event who will help you – like tomorrow morning I am one of the helpers. Just arrive a bit early, announce yourself as a beginner to the powers-that-be (you’ll spot them looking all official) and they’ll help you (or send someone to help you). You learn to read a map at the event – orienteering maps are different to other maps and also different for each venue. And, yes, you can run as a family – but i would recommend going in pairs rather than a bigger group.
      Don’t overthink this – just rock up and we’ll take it from there. See you soon 😉

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