Search
Related Links




 

 

Informative Articles

Football 101 – A Girl’s Guide To Football – Why The Game Matters
Can I tell you how tired I am of single women complaining about how hard it is to meet a decent man? The problem is not a dearth of quality men, in fact I know quite a few single gems, but rather where the ladies are looking. You aren’t going to...

Golf Gifts: For the Experienced Golfer
Whether it be Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas, birthday, or any other gift giving occassion, a golf gift for an experienced player is a sure winner, if it's the RIGHT gift. Let me start by saying that experienced golfers and novice golfers are...

Music's Outstanding Benefits to Your Health: Seven Reasons to Listen to Some Music Now
Copyright 2005 Linda Slater Dowling It's no secret that college students love music. Whether on your way to class, heading to the gym or hanging out with friends, music just makes us feel good. And depending on the style you choose, it can...

Odds & Ends (Jan 11)
Super Bowl XL still is nearly a month away and football fans don't even know who the combatants will be. Nevertheless, the Las Vegas Hilton -- which attempts to be first with the most for bettors throughout the valley -- has posted odds on...

The Old Town Canoe company offers you the world's largest selection of canoes.
The first Old Town Canoe was inspired by the Penobscot tribe in 1898 and for the first two years the canoes that were made out of wood and canvas were called "Indian Old Town Canoes". Old Town is situated in Maine in an area of small rivers...

 
Why Orienteering is Hot!

So, you didn’t know it was hot did you? Do you even know what Orienteering is? It is one of the most thrilling activities available for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and here’s the good news – it’s inexpensive. If you enjoy spending time out of doors and you are looking to break out of your regular routine, Orienteering may be the challenge you’ve been hoping for. Thousands of men, women and children around the country are addicted to the mental and physical rush of Orienteering. Let’s find out why.

First off, what is Orienteering? Orienteering is an outdoor sport where you use a map and a compass to find your way through a cross-country style course either leisurely or competitively. Here’s basically how it works: By using only a compass and a map, participants will move from one control point to another until reaching the end of the course. Each participant – an orienteer – uses a special device, a unique one is located at each control point, to mark their scorecard thus proving they have actually visited the required control points. The orienteer who reaches the finish line first, with all control points visited, is the winner. Sounds easy doesn’t it? So what’s the catch?

There are two main challenges to the sport. First, the route is not marked. Therefore the orienteer must personally navigate from control point to control point using only a compass and a map. To successfully do this, you will always need to know how far you have traveled and in what direction. Their map, provided at the event, gives detailed information on the terrain such as hills, landmarks, bodies of water and other obstacles. Secondly, to be successful in


orienteering, the orienteer needs excellent map reading skills, the ability to focus mentally and the ability to make decisions. If the event is competitive, all of this is done as fast as possible.

The most popular type of Orienteering is Foot Orienteering – abbreviated as Foot-O – and it is an Olympic sport. World-class Foot-O athletes typically have endurance and strength characteristics similar to marathon runners. Other Orienteering types include Mountain Bike, Skiing, Trail, and Night Orienteering. To find out more information on Orienteering in your city, contact the United States Orienteering Federation or visit our online Education Center. Competitive orienteering has been called the “thinking sport” and has been likened to “running while playing chess.”

With Orienteering, you’ll improve your problem solving skills, your decision making skills and you will push yourself to new levels of accomplishment. All while having a great time. While leisure Orienteering is not nearly as fast paced or as pressure-packed as competitive Orienteering, you’ll still get an adrenaline rush when you’ve successfully found your way through the course – and that’s why Orienteering is Hot! Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!


About the Author
Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the “Best Gear Out There” and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to “Get It Right The First Time” with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, "FreshAir.” (800) 316-9055.

Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.