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How to do Orienteering

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How To Do Orienteering

Orienteering's unique mix of fun, fitness, mental challenge, and immersion in natural beauty make this the perfect sport for kids and adults alike. I hope you enjoy this lens on how to do orienteering, find it useful and I hope that it provides you with information on the skills needed to compete in this exciting outdoor sport.

Image Mountain Bike Orienteering.

how to orienteering

Because a lot of the running in orienteering is not on paths, but over rough ground, and up and down hills, it is very important to work on strengthening your legs with resistance exercise, and vary the intensity of your cardio work with interval training, taking in hills where you can.

Practice Your Map Reading Skills

how to do orienteering

For even the most experienced orienteers, running and map reading simultaneously is not easy. Practice how to take the maximum amount of information from the map each time you look at it. The map should always be orientated in the direction you're running, using a compass, and you should stay 'in contact' with your map, looking at it every 10 seconds or so, and keeping your thumb over your current position.

Balance Excercises

how to do orienteering

Good balance is very important for staying upright over rough terrain. One great tip or exercise to do is to throw a weighted ball between you and a friend while standing on one leg, throwing it out to the sides of each other.

Practice Post Race Analysis

how to do orienteering

In orienteering, as with any sport, post-race analysis is one of the key tools for improving. Mark your route on the map, then analyse where you did well, where you could have done better, and why. Always take time to talk to others about their route and opinions.

Take Your Time

how to do orienteering

The best orienteers are generally good runners, but that doesn't mean it always works the other way around. Take it easy, particularly if you're new to the sport, and make clear, calm decisions and run only as fast as you can orienteer.

Learn To Read The land

how to orienteering

An orienteering compass is essential, but you must also learn to navigate without it by looking at the features of the land. This is a vital skill, and enjoyable part of the sport, and you never know when your compass might break.