About Orienteering

The Thinking Sport, the Family Sport

Orienteering is a running-navigation sport. Participants find their way to control points on the ground (usually marked by orange and white flags), using only a map and sometimes a compass. Orienteering can either be a highly competitive individual sport or, when family or friends do a course together, a totally recreational activity. It is suitable for all fitness and experience levels and for ages from 3 to 83. At orienteering events, there is usually a choice of half a dozen courses that take between 20 and 120 minutes to complete. Easy ones are no more than 2 km long, on tracks and are suitable for beginners, children and the not-so-fit. The most difficult, hilly ones are up to 13 km in length and are designed for fit, experienced athletes. Orienteering differs from running in that navigation is required, so brains as well as fitness come into play. No special equipment is needed to start, just comfortable outdoor clothes and footwear. Compasses are not necessary for beginners. Most people soon master the map reading skills and help is always available.

Dunedin Orienteering Club

The Dunedin Orienteering Club (DOC) was formed in 1976 (11 years before the Department of Conservation). It currently has a membership of about 100 and is one of 20 clubs affiliated to the NZ Orienteering Federation. Events are held on Sundays throughout the year in different areas including the Town Belt, Logan Park, Ross Creek, Otago Peninsula, Waihola-Milton and Sutton-Middlemarch areas, Seacliff, Waikouaiti and Naseby. As well as regular foot events we also hold Ski-O, MTB-O, Adventure-O, and rogaines (long distance). We also run a Wednesday evening promotional summer series, and age-graded club and schools championships. Some of our members compete in South Island, National and International competitions.

Almost all events are open to non-members, but members pay lower event fees, get a newsletter and volunteer their time to help plan and organise events.

What next?

See the latest info, events and results on the home page. Check our membership page to find out about costs and membership, the maps page to see where we get out and about to, and the calendar to see what's coming up.

Directions to the start area of each event are listed in the Otago Daily Times Sports Draw on the Thursday before an event. Or you can sign up to the club's email announce list on Yahoo to get an email of the ODT notice. We hope you'll give orienteering a go, and look forward to seeing you and your family or friends at an event soon. If you have any questions, feel free to email anyone on the committee for further information.

See also the At an Event... page