Orienteering Events in Western Australia
New to orienteering? Just visiting the state? Contact us to find out about current event dates and locations or download the latest issue (PDF) of our newsletter, Split Times - this extract provides complete information on current events and full contact details for Council and Clubs.
Wondering where to go for an event? Catching up on results? All that information and more is available via the above links or the buttons on the left of each page.
Winter Series
Orienteering in Western Australia traditionally occurs in winter; our mild winters make it a pleasure to walk or run through the bush.
The winter series -- mostly bush events -- begins in about March and finishes with the State Championships in September.
Serious competitors can appreciate the spring weather. Everyone can appreciate the Western Australian wildflowers.
Metro Series
The metro series of score events -- organised by the Western Nomads elite team to raise funds for travel to interstate competitions -- is held in and around metropolitan parks and reserves. Events are on weekend mornings or evenings between November and March, when it is too hot for running in the bush by day.
At all these family and runner-friendly occasions, anyone who understands the basics of using a map can take part at a level at which they feel comfortable. The events attract many regular competitors, plus there is a pre-start briefing for newcomers. The events are successful if as many people as possible enjoy themselves, so all members and friends are welcome.
There are prizes for the several course winners each week, and sponsors' draw prizes. Series winners in various classes are determined by points for the best few of several events entered, with accumulating results available in the newsletter and on the web.
The Social Orienteer
Every event is a social occasion with, the chance to meet other people who share your interest in orienteering. You are welcome to exchange ideas or just chat. This is easiest at the inter-club events where starts or finishes mostly coincide and most familiar faces are seen together. At other events your club banner is a good place to meet old and new friends.
Each club has a wide range of social events throughout the year, from trying out other sports and pastimes to gossiping in each others homes.
Weekly casual jogging sessions in different parts of Perth are usually followed by socialising while cooling down and are a good way to keep in touch with others during the off season.
Even committee meetings offer the chance for acquaintances to become friends.
The Association's main organised social event is the Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards. This relaxed and cheerful occasion suits all ages with only minimum dress standards required at some venues. It provides a fine way of rounding off the season each year.
Orienteering Beyond WA
OAWA members share some privileges with other Orienteering associations and each year are invited to attend events held elsewhere. These are a good excuse to travel and run on terrain unlike anything available around Western Australia.
Most events that attract entrants from elsewhere are grouped with others over a few days to two weeks, with rest days that may be used for sight-seeing. While standards of organisation and results are high, all events offer B, sometimes C grade and junior courses, so anyone who can manage a course alone can take part.
Self-formed groups from WA often support each other on these trips, sharing transport and inexpensive accommodation. Notices and entry forms often appear in our state newsletter or The Australian Orienteer. They may also be obtained from the Secretary.
Interstate Events
Events that are National Fixtures allow you to compare your abilities with people at your own level from other states. Based on the results, national rankings for various age classes are published in The Australian Orienteer. Good performances may attract the attention of the national selectors when they are considering membership of teams to represent Australia.
Badge Events and State Championships
In other states these are coordinated by Orienteering Australia for different weekends from each other and are open to OAWA members.
Australian Three Days Championships
This event is held over Easter each year, rotating around each of the states. The results are the combined times for the three days. A relay event for family teams of three, but open to unofficial teams, is usually held on Good Friday.
Australian Championships
Usually held together with the host State's Championships, an Interstate Relay and Interstate Schools' Championships over two weekends, this premier fixture of the annual Australian programme also rotates around the states.
International Events
Many of these are open to OAWA members and anyone who is competent on an A-grade course can enjoy taking part. B and C grade courses are usually also available.
The Australia-New Zealand Challenge
This event for nationally selected teams is held alternately in each country, usually in association with another major event and is open to OAWA members. Some of the age classes to be contested by individuals and relay teams are decided by the hosts, and a place on the Australian team in the less popular classes may depend largely on competitors' availability. If you are entering the associated event and have a national ranking, an early word with the State selector may be worthwhile.
Asian Pacific Orienteering Carnival (APOC)
This biennial event alternates between northern and southern hemispheres and is open to any member from a Pacific rim country. It is usually associated with several other high grade events to make it even more attractive to visitors.
Masters' World Orienteering Championships (WMOC)
These championships are held annually (bi-annually in conjunction with the World Masters Games) and are open to members aged 35 or over. Australia takes its turn in hosting this event that is organised by IOF. WMC attracts runners with a wide range of abilities from many countries. Western Australia has 2 Gold and one Bronze medallist from recent WMOCs.
Other Events
Events further afield are often open to any orienteering club member, and some famous ones in Scandinavia, the home of orienteering, have very large numbers of entrants. As an OAWA member, you will usually be welcome to run with a local club wherever you are in the world, climate and weather permitting.