Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport that exercises both the mind and the body. The aim is to navigate in sequence between control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time.

So in order to record that you have actually visited all the controls on your course you will be given a control card.

 Top Tips for Beginners

Below are four basic skills that you need to practice to help you progress with orienteering.

1. Fold your map – Always make sure that you fold your map so that you can easily see the part of the map where you are.

2. Orientate your map – Always make sure that your map is the correct way round or orientated. This means that the features which are in front of you on the ground are in front of you on the map.

3. Check your control card – Once you have found a control you always need to check that the code on your control description sheet matches the code on the control.

4. Have fun and enjoy yourself – This is the most important skill to remember.  Orienteering should always be fun and enjoyable.