Wednesday 11th January 2023

Orienteering Joins the Scottish Student Sport Network!

Orienteering has recently been introduced into the Scottish Student Sport Network. Read on to find out more!

Orienteering has recently been introduced into the Scottish Student Sport Network. Although, many of us have experienced orienteering at some point whether it be at a school or an outdoors centre. Not many of us have tried orienteering as a sport. 

 

Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The aim is to navigate between checkpoints or controls marked on an orienteering map. There is no set route so the skill and fun come from trying to find the best way to go. 

 

Orienteering can take place anywhere from urban environments such as the centre of Edinburgh to the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. Orienteering provides a fantastic opportunity to travel around Scotland and connect with nature. If you like being active outdoors in Scotland, orienteering is a great sport for you!

Orienteering at Scenic Balmoral 

Orienteering at Scenic Balmoral

 

What do you do when orienteering? 

 

Using an orienteering map you navigate through a course of control points, marked with an orange and white flag. At each control point you use an electric dibber to record that you have arrived safely at the control. At the end you receive a print out of your overall time and splits between controls. 

 

You can walk, jog or run the course. In competitive orienteering, the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time. Orienteering combines techniques of decision making, navigational skills and problem solving so the fastest runner doesn’t always win. 

 

How do I try orienteering as a student in Scotland? 

GB Orienteer Grace Malloy approaching a control marked by an orange and white flag

GB Orienteer Grace Malloy approaching a control marked by an orange and white flag

 

We currently have four student orienteering clubs in Scotland: 

 

  • Aberdeen University Orienteering Club
  • Edinburgh University Orienteering Club 
  • Glasgow University Orienteering and Hill Running Club 
  • Stirling University Orienteering and Hill Running Club 

 

We plan to increase the number of student orienteering clubs in Scotland over the next few years. 

Relay start at the Scottish Student Championships 2022

Relay start at the Scottish Student Championships 2022

 

If your institution doesn’t have orienteering clubs we have local orienteering clubs across Scotland. Local orienteering clubs host events and training sessions for people of all ages and are a great way to get involved in orienteering as a student. Anybody of any experience level can join an orienteering club. Find your local club through this link: https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/get-involved/find-your-local-club/

 

If you want to try out orienteering before joining a club or going to an event, there are many permanent orienteering courses across Scotland’s parks, cities and countryside. MapRun is another way to try orienteering. MapRun is an app which allows you to use your smartphone to enjoy orienteering. There are MapRun courses all across Scotland and many of which are on university and college campuses. 

How Maprun looks on your phone 

How Maprun looks on your phone

 

What happens at the Scottish Student Orienteering Championships? 

 

We had our Scottish Student Orienteering Championships in November this year. This was our first event to be affiliated with Scottish Student Sport. The Scottish Student Championships are held over a weekend. On the first day we have relay races. Each institution enters teams of 3 to take part in the relay. Each team member runs a different leg in the replay. The relay legs are different levels of difficulty so beginners and elite orienteers can take part in the same race. On the final day of the competition we have individual races. Individual courses have different levels of difficulty so there are courses suitable for beginners and elite orienteers. 

 

There is also a social on the Saturday which provides an opportunity to meet other orienteers from other universities. You can still enter and represent your institution at the Scottish Student Orienteering Championships even if your institution doesn’t have an orienteering club. 

Edinburgh University Orienteering Club our 2022 Scottish Student Champions

Edinburgh University Orienteering Club our 2022 Scottish Student Champions

 

What do I gain through orienteering? 

Edinburgh University men's teams wins first and third place at the Scottish Orienteering Championships

Edinburgh University men’s teams wins first and third place at the Scottish Orienteering Championships

 

Orienteering exercises both the mind and body. Being outside in nature has also been shown to improve our mental wellbeing, making orienteering fantastic for both your physical and mental health. 

 

Orienteering is a social sport. Student clubs will travel across Scotland to events each weekend which makes joining an orienteering club a great opportunity to travel whilst studying. 

If you are interested in starting your own student club please or want more information on orienteering please contact heidi@scottish-orienteering.org

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