LA orienteering club
Welcome - FAQ - What, where and more
CONTACT RESULTS PHOTOs SCHEDULE O-LINKS FAQ-$ VENUES YOUTH HOME
Please read all you can find on this web-site, follow all links and menu buttons, then pick an event from the schedule and come along.

Some common questions and topics: For more specific questions, after reading this page please contact our Youth Groups (BSA, GSA etc) liasons or our other officers / committee chairs using our CONTACTS


WELCOME / MEMBERSHIP   |   WHAT is Orienteering    |    WHERE, WHEN etc

WHAT to expect at an event    |   YOUR SAFETY    |    COSTS    |    TIMES

Local SCHEDULE    |   Wider SCHEDULE


EVERYONE IS WELCOME at LAOC events. Come on out and try it - it is the best way to learn Always a beginner's course and someone to help you. For a specific event contact the Meet Director listed in
Schedule

Do I have to join the club to participate? No. Events are open to all who are interested in having fun. When you do join the club you will receive a discount on events and the news letter that will give you photos and results, plus the dates and location of up-coming events. Plus a vote in club business.
Well, how do I join the club? Print the Membership application form and follow the directions.

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WHAT is Orienteering?

Orienteering is an organised sport for individuals, navigating a course by hiking or running to find your way through the trees and fields. Map Reading, Navigation and Route Choice are the key. Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or experience. At advanced levels it is very competitive. Others, while learning, often go in small groups . It is done at your pace, whether you run or walk it is the Satisfaction of finding your own way. Sample 'O' maps will show you more about Orienteering than any words see maps

-- Orienteering, the sport, is not GPS, is not backpacking nor A/R nor topo reading. It is not following a line with a compass and pace counting, although it will improve all those skills. . It is detailed map reading and fine navigation using your best route choice. Courses are graded by their challenge to navigation skills. A good topo reader could possibly start with an Orange course, and stay with it until in top results for several events, learning skills along the way.
-- Read these COURSES/CLASS descriptions

There are categories for casual hikers through elite athletes. You can walk or run, just dont lose yourself! Take a friend or family. And unlike many sports, at EVERY EVENT there are special courses for beginners

  • You will have FUN of competition or leisure, and at the same time:-
  • You will develop your decision making skills.
  • You will become more observant
  • You will gain confidence, especially with maps!
TRY IT FROM HOME NOW! Click and enjoy

What does an "Orienteering Map" look like? An Orienteering map is much more detailed and on a larger scale than USGS Topo maps, showing prominent rocks, trees, vegetation, anything that aids in navigation. It will have some 'check-points' circled on it which vary by course difficulty. The plan is to get from point-to-point by choosing your own route and exercising your navigational skills.(map-reading, pacing, compass, contouring). Sample 'O' maps,

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WHERE are these meets(events) held?
The LAOC holds events at various locations ranging from Los Padres forest to Orange County to San Bernardino/Big Bear [see VENUES] for description and location maps.
When are events held?
Approximately one event month . Usually the second Sunday. Sometimes a 2-day event. [see LAOC SCHEDULE].
Other nearby clubs and events: see COMBINED SCHEDULE: CA+AZ + NAtional A and Rogaine
How long do these meets(events) last?
As a beginner, expect to spend from one to 3 hours out on a course of between 1 and 2 miles*, and save time to discuss your route afterwards - that's part of the fun! *advanced navigation courses can be 10k Everyone starts at their own time, from 10am to Noon (unless noted). There are courses offered for each skill level and families are welcome at most events. [see TIMES]

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What can I expect at an EVENT?
When you arrive at an event the procedure is really very simple. There will be members around to welcome you and notices to help you see what the courses are offered that day (always a beginners course). You will see a registration table where you sign-in , pay a small fee and can rent a compass. You will be given a map and a small control card. After a brief instruction session, you will be given a start time, and off you go, finding the controls and punching the card at each one to prove you have reached it. You must check back in when you finish , and your total time is recorded.
    There is a time limit, usually 3 hrs, so bring a watch. The easier courses will take you about 1 1/2 miles in an hour or less, keeping mostly to trails. So come and try your first course, and maybe even do a second slightly harder one on your first outing.
Can I bring my children? Would there be something for them to do? Bring your children and introduce them to Orienteering with our string course designed just for them.
Can I do the sport with a partner? This activity can easily be enjoyed by more than one, two or more in a group. As you develop your skills you may prefer to become competitve and go it alone
How much do I need to know before I show up? Can someone at the meet teach me how to orienteer? There are always members available to help you learn the basic information needed to participate. There are courses offered for each skill level.
Do I have to be in great shape to enjoy this sport? You complete the course entirely at your own pace. Many just stroll along the course and there are some who will run competitively
What do I wear? start with ordinary hiking clothes and shoes

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  • YOUR SAFETY

We do keep track of who is out on a course, and try to make sure you are not in over-your-heels! But please:-

Choose the right course for your skill level and enjoyment
In consideration for the organisers, and again for your safety,
you must return and check-in within 3hrs of your OWN start time!
Off trail hiking can be dangerous - be careful, please view waiver here.

Remember These Four C's: - >
      1C. CHECK-OUT   - before leaving,   - ALWAYS!
      2C. COURSE   - Choose right course for your skills
      3C. COURTESY   - Be quiet,   - Don't distract others,    - use WHISTLES for EMERGENCY only
      4C. CLOCK - be back within 3hrs, or before course closure whichever first
      5C. is 1C. always CHECK-OUT   - before leaving,

What Course should you try?

Courses are set by degree of technical navigational difficulty, not by length . Never choose above your skills until you consistently rank high at that level.
All courses are set with the expected winning time of one hour (Although most courses allow a 3 hour time limit):

POINT -TO-POINT Courses are named by COLOR.W,Y.O etc
What skills each Color Course expects of you, and what you can expect to learn from it: find out here
White, for beginners, all on trail,
Yellow, next up, still close to trails and other handrails (fences. streams)
Orange is for intermediates, where you go cross country, challenging but still with safe navigating features. Stay with the Orange course until you know all the advanced techhniques, and regularily come in near the top 3.

Br,G,R and B Brown, Green, Red and Blue are all equally technically advanced, with Brown being the least physical, and Blue being a long tough haul.

In Sprint-O you run very short courses as quickly as possible. Make decisions quickly.

In Trail-O Nodes of multiple controls are set in the same vicinty. You view them from a nearby path and chose the one which matches the description on the race clue sheet. This event was started to help physically disabled people enjoy the sport. It has turned into a mental challenge even for the elite athletes.

In Score-O you try to find as many mapped features as you can within a time limit with the more distant and/or more difficult features having higher point values.

Motala format is used where the area is small. You do 3 or 4 loops out from the start, each loop often has only 4 controls.

see also USOF course descriptions

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  • TIMES:

   COME EARLY! expect to stay 3 hours or more
Any LARGE GROUPs, please notify the Meet Director ahead of time
   Beginner Instruction starts around 9.30am

   Start times from 10am to 12noon unless noted (Individual starts are every few minutes )
   Courses close at 2.30pm unless stated otherwise

   REGISTER from 9.30am.
   you will save time if you register ahead ON-LINE here

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Event Entry

  • ePunching


  • SConet
       member e-mail

    HOT LINE


    Membership

    SCHEDULES:
      Calif. plus
      USOF
      Rogaine

    MAP
       of S. Calif. Orienteering Venues

    Other Clubs:
      SDO San Diego
      BAOC (SF)
      GCO Sacrmnto
      SConet
      Pacific Region
      Western Clubs
      USOF

    MD-CS GUIDES
       Checklists, Forms,
       Displays, Equip.

    Helpful Info:
       Skills
       Course and Color
       A- meet rules
       Bylaws

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