This web site is for members, new members and anyone else interested in orienteering, to tell you about Orienteering Western Australia -- OAWA -- and its activities. We hope it will encourage you to become involved -- or more involved -- in our sport and that it will help you to enjoy orienteering in Western Australia for many more years.

For the latest news and information , you can subscribe to our weekly e-news published every Tuesday night.

 

 

Our newsletter, Split Times, is essential reading; it will keep you up-to-date on our activities and on orienteering in general. Download a copy for complete information on current events and full contact details for Council and Clubs.  To find information on how to improve your orienteering skills, we can suggest several leaflets and books from our comprehensive library, as well as web-based resources.

Suggestions for other information that should be here, or any comments, please send us an e-mail.

 What is Orienteering?

Orienteering is navigation on accurate maps while running, walking, cycling or by other methods of human-powered mobility. Orienteering is a sport for everyone, no matter their age or experience. Orienteering is famous for events in which elite orienteers and recreational orienteers, men and women, aged from young children to over 90-year-olds can enjoy the sport together.

Orienteering is a sport for the whole family -- a real sport for all. It is not an expensive sport. A map and a compass and suitable outdoor clothes are all you need to get started. (And the orienteering association is able to supply the map and the compass!)

Orienteering can be practised almost anywhere in the world, in all kinds of terrain, from parks to deserts. Orienteering terrain varies from dense, impassable bush to treeless areas, and from mountains to plains. There are several different forms of orienteering. The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) is the world governing body for foot orienteering, ski orienteering, mountain bike orienteering and trail orienteering.

Orienteering is an adventure using a detailed map and (possibly) a compass to navigate your way around a course, following designated control points which are drawn on the map. On the route, orange-and-white control markers are set in the places that correspond to the marked control points on the map. Participants punch their control cards (or use an electronic equivalent) at each control point.

In competitive orienteering the challenge is to find the route with the shortest time to visit the control points in the correct order. Fast running alone does not make you a winner -- you must also choose the best route between control points and find the markers without wasting unnecessary time.

At an Event

Orienteering involves using a map of an area to find a series of control points, usually in a set order, choosing your own route between one control and the next.

You can start with a course that is a pleasant stroll in a small group along bush tracks. Later you may progress -- if you wish -- to running alone as hard as your map reading ability and fitness will allow. Orienteering allows you to enjoy any stage in between, from relaxed recreation to competitive sport. actively encourages courses to be designed to suit a wide range of skills and ages, from small children to the elderly, from single competitors to families and groups.

Orienteering events in the bush are held on most Sunday mornings between March and September. (Occasionally there will also be a course on Saturday.) You can usually start your course some time between 9.30am and 11.30am. This does vary, so please check the available start times before you arrive!

Signs near the event, starting on a main road, will direct you to the parking area. Space is often limited -- it helps to share a car with others. Directions and times can be found in Saturday's West Australian, in the "Sports Diary" column, inside the back page. Check this, as last minute changes may occur with the exact location.

What to Bring

To enjoy the event, you will need to be prepared for a walk in the bush:

  • Wear comfortable jogging or walking shoes

  • Long trousers are advised (preferably light weight), as the bush can be prickly, or black from bush fires

  • Wear a hat and sunscreen on bright sunny days

  • Bring drinks, and perhaps a picnic, for after the event

Other items may be bought, or hired cheaply, at the event:

  • A plastic whistle (a simple safety precaution)

  • A plastic bag for the map, in wet weather

  • A compass (not really necessary, for our introductory courses)

Choosing Your Course

You will find the details of courses for the day, and other notices, on the Orienteering trailer at the event site. Nearby you will see instructors, wearing orange "I" vests; They are there to help you. If you are new to the sport, or unsure about what course to choose, or want to know anything else about orienteering, please ask them.

Public courses are graded by navigational difficulty and length to make a series through which you can progress as your map reading ability and other orienteering skills improve. The first few of these courses are suitable for newcomers to orienteering.

  • The Very Easy (VE) course is for novices and is intended to introduce the special type of map, with the scale and symbols used for orienteering. The course is set all along linear features, usually tracks, but may follow fences, watercourses or power lines. If it goes cross country, a route is marked with tapes or cords.

  • The Easy (E) course can also be followed on linear features but offers unmarked cross country route choices that are shorter, to encourage simple bush navigation.

  • The Moderate (M) course needs basic cross country navigation and contour interpretation skills.

Unless you are used to navigating cross country, off tracks, you should choose the VE or E courses at your first few events. Groups of up to five people may go together on the VE, E or M courses, with a small extra charge for extra maps.

(For more detailed information on all courses click here.)

Event Fees are listed here. 

The O Shop

The Orienteering Shop is present at most events. It is the only place in WA  where personal orienteering equipment and clothing is for sale.

The wide range of gear satisfies most requests but unstocked items, shoes etc may be ordered. Fabric for home tailors is available or contact with a seamstress can easily be arranged.

Prices are below normal retail rates and all profits go to the OAWA's Junior Development Fund. The Shop manager is an experienced orienteer who will be happy to help you choose what will suit you best.

Cake Stall

At almost every event there is a cake stall. Soft drinks and slices of cake are available. The stall is run by volunteers, often Juniors. Profits go to support Junior orienteering.

Cakes are donated by members. At each event, one Club is nominated to bring cakes and to run the cake stall.

Occasionally the cake stall may include, or be replaced by, a sausage sizzle... This is up to the Club in charge.

Crèche

In some past years an unofficial crèche was organised cooperatively by the parents of children who needed that sort of attention. If you want your child to be cared for by other parents while you are running, please arrange with them yourself -- and expect to return the favour.

More Information

You can learn some more on the Orienteering Australia's Newcomer's Page