Beyond,
'classic' orienteering there are several other orienteering formats
to create different levels of challenges. The most common of these are
described below:
- Score
O - An orienteering event where participants are given
a time limit (usually one hour) to collect as many controls
in any order. This events makes for some interesting route
choices. Orienteers must find as many controls as possible without exceeding
the given time-limit or penalty points will be awarded.
- Sprint
O - A very fast-paced orienteering event usually organized
in an urban area or non-technical terrain such as a park or university
campus. Controls are relatively easy, with good route choice and running
speed being the deciding factor in achieving the fasted time.
- Canoe
O - Usually set up as a score O, except participants
use canoes or kayaks to collect controls only reachable by water or
to access points requiring the orienteer to travel a short distance
on land to the control.
- Night
O
- Orienteering in the darkness with the aid of a headlamp.
- Goat
O - This is a unique event set up using a classic event
format, however, orienteers start with a mass start and are encouraged
to 'follow' each other. The trick is that orienteers are permitted to
skip a control of their choice. This format makes for a fast hectic
start, and some interesting discussions at the finish as to which control
was the best to skip.
- Memory
O - Orienteers carry no map, but are required to memorize
their route to the next control by looking at a map segment located
at each control flag.
- Rogaine
- This is a form of extreme endurance orienteering with events typically
lasting 6, 12 or 24 hrs. The event structure is similar to a score-O
in that controls (50 or more) can be collected in any order, but the
event covers a wide area and requires strategy and stamina in order
to collect as many points as possible.
- Street
O - An orienteering course set up in an urban environment
using city streets, and parks. Great event for when the weather makes
it more difficult to venture into more wilderness areas.
- Armchair
O - This is not an actual orienteering event, but an
indoor training session where map interpretation, orienteering strategy
and route choice are discussed using maps from past events. These gatherings
are usually fun social activities designed to help improve the 'mental'
aspects of orienteering.
Explanation
- Types of Meets:
A-Meet
- An A Meet is an
established competition style event, where participants compete in many
different course levels based on age and gender categories.
- Examples of an
A-Meet include the BC Orienteering Championships and the Western Canadian
Orienteering Championships.
B-Meet
- A B-Meet is a
local event featuring usually 3-4 different levels of courses.
- A typical B-Meet
usually includes four courses ranging from C-1(Novice), C-2 (Intermediate),
C-3 (Advanced - Short Course) and C-4 (Advanced - Long Course).
- Beginners are welcome
at B-Meets and can participate in C-1 or C-2 courses based on experience.
- Members of other
clubs, who are looking for a new terrain to orienteer, are also welcome
on the advanced courses.
C-Meet
- A C-Meet is a local
event that usually only has two courses. A typical C-Meets consists
of a novice course and one other more advanced course.
- The nature of these
events is more informal with the aim being recreational, training and
practice.
X-Meet
- X-Meets are special
events, with usually only one course available.
- These are special
meets that can include different orienteering formats such as Night-O,
Canoe-O and Score-O as described above.
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