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There are eight standard orienteering courses. Every forest event will have a course
1, suitable for newcomers and families with small kids, but not all other courses may be offered at all
events.
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The courses:
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1 2.0 - 3.5 km, suitable for beginners and families with small children.
The course follows 'handrails' such as paths, fences, cutlines. A compass
may be helpful to help orient the map.
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2 2.5 - 3.5 km, suitable for
novice orienteers. The controls are placed
50 - 100m from 'handrails'. You decide which 'handrails' (trails to use to
get close to the control and where to leave the handrail. A compass will be helpful to orient the map,
or to take an emergency bearing if you get completely lost. Wednesday
medium & long courses are at this standard.
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3 3.5 - 4.5 km, an intermediate level course. The controls are on larger
features such as a marsh or hill but are away from 'handrails', such as
trails and fences. There are 'catching features', such as a big hill, large
depression or trail beyond the control to stop you from getting too lost.
There will often be more than one route between controls. A compass will
be needed to orient the map, take rough bearings or to take an emergency
bearing if you get completely lost.
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4 4.0 - 5.5 km
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These are technically advanced courses, with controls on smaller features
such as knolls, pits, shallow depressions etc. There will be some longer 'legs'
between controls to allow for maximum route choice. A compass will be needed
for orienting the map, precision and rough bearings, or to take an emergency
bearing if completely lost.
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5 4.5 - 6.0 km
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6 5.0 - 7.0 km
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7 6.0 - 9.0 km
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8 9.0 - 12.0 km
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All course lengths are approximate; courses are designed so that a
Canadian Championship level orienteer will win in a particular target time.
- Do NOT choose your course by length alone (being able to hike 20km will
not necessarily mean you can successfully complete a 6km orienteering
course!).
- Advance to a higher level only when the one you usually do is easy time
after time. You may do the same level as long as you like - forever, if you
want!
- If undecided between two courses, choose the easier one; you and the
event officials will be happier if you come back successful.
- Take into consideration the weather, how you feel (tired? suffering from
allergies? etc)
- Course lengths are measured as 'the crow flies' and you will probably go
farther. Lengths vary according to the terrain (eg steep, with thicker forest
= shorter course)
- An event official will be happy to help
you choose a course.
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Competition/age classes
At major ‘A’ events, competition or age classes are offered. These age
classes are placed on appropriate courses.
Age is the age you will be at 31 December of the current year.
M = male W=women (or F = female)
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Junior categories/classes
The youngest usually offered in Canada is for 12 and under. Then the classes
go up in two year increments eg M13/14, F13/14, M15/16, F15/16, then a 3 year
class of M17-19 and F17-19.
Juniors may enter their own age class or the next older class. To enter a
higher class, they must obtain permission of the Event Director.
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Adult categories/classes
All adult classes are on technically advanced courses (ie courses 4, 5, 6, 7
& 8) with the oldest participants on course 4 and M20+ being on course 8.
M20+ and F20+ classes are for men and women 20 or older.
M35+ and F35+ classes are for men and women 35 or older.
M45+ and F45+ classes are for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and so on, in
10 year increments.
Anyone 35 and over may enter their own age class or any younger adult
class. eg a 46 year old man may enter M45+, M35+ or M20+.
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Open categories/classes
Open courses are open to anyone, and are offered so that you can choose a
course to fit your abilities. eg a 36 year old woman who enjoys intermediate
courses will choose Open 3. A 25 year old man recovering from an injury might go out on an Open
5.
Open classes are
suitable for:
- those going out on just one day of a
'two day total time' event
- those who want the challenge of an advanced
course without the length of their age-based category.
You can choose
your open category by:
- approximate length
- on the same course as a particular age category
- on the same course as a particular person.
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Recreational categories/classes
Recreational courses are for those going out for a hike or stroll or who are
less competitive. A group
going out together is sometimes referred to as Map Hikers or Wayfarers. Usually, recreational classes are not
timed and results not posted.
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REMEMBER - whichever course you choose, you must report to the finish,
whether you complete the course or not.
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