Physical Education. 3º E.S.O. I.E.S. Nicolás Copérnico

ORIENTEERING NOTES. 1. Definition.

Orienteering is a sport that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from one point to another in unfamiliar terrain.

Participants are given a map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. It was originally a training exercise for military officers, but it has now become a federated sport.

2. Types of orienteering.

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) recognises four types of orienteering:

 Foot orienteering. Usually, is a timed race in which participants start at staggered intervals, are individually timed, and are expected to perform all navigation on their own. The control points are shown on the orienteering map and must be visited in the specified order.

 Mountain bike orienteering. Is an orienteering endurance racing sport on a mountain bike where navigation is done along trails and tracks. Compared with foot orienteering, competitors usually are not permitted to leave the trail and track network.

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Physical Education. 3º E.S.O. I.E.S. Nicolás Copérnico

 Ski orienteering. Is a cross-country skiing endurance winter racing sport. A successful ski orienteer combines high physical endurance, strength and excellent technical skiing skills with the ability to navigate and make the best route choices while skiing at a high speed.

 Trail orienteering (in wheelchair). Is an orienteering sport that involves precise reading of an orienteering map and the corresponding terrain. It is conducted usually on trails and because the objective is accuracy, not the speed of physical movement, the sport is accessible to physically disabled competitors on equal terms as able-bodied.

However, many times, orienteering is included in adventure raids or mixed with other sports, as horse riding or canoeing.

3. The compass.

Orienteering compasses are different from most other types of compasses, such as boating or military compasses. This one is the same as the ones we use in class. It is very important that you remember the name of its parts.

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Physical Education. 3º E.S.O. I.E.S. Nicolás Copérnico

1. Baseplate 2. Direction of travel arrow 3. Magnetic needle 4. Orienting lines 5. Orienting arrow 6. Compass housing with degree dial

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