SELOC Orienteering Club

Most Beginners need very little equipment, just old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, and a sense of adventure. It doesn't matter how young, old or fit you are, you set your own pace. Orienteering is a sport which involves finding your way between control points that take you around the course in the quickest time.

Local events normally put on courses that are graded, using a colour coded scheme according to their difficulty as follows:

White	(1.0 - 1.5km long)	Very easy, all on paths, mostly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
Yellow	(1.5 - 2.5km long)	Uses simple linear features (Paths, walls, streams, etc.), mainly for under 12's and families.
Orange	(2.5 - 3.5km long)	Ideal for novice orienteers progressing to basic use of compass and route choice.
Red	(3.5 - 7.5km long)	Similar technically to an orange course but longer. Used by beginners wanting a longer run.
Light Green	(2.5 - 3.5km long)	The technical ability requirements needed to complete this course begins to increase. Need to be able to cross terrain using simple contours and 'point' features like boulders. Ideal for improvers
Green	(3.5 - 5.0km long)	Techncally difficult, using contour features and 'point' features. Used mostly by experienced under 18's and adults wanting a short but challenging course.
Blue	(5.0 - 7.5km long)	Technicallly difficult but longer and more physically demanding course when compared to green. The distances are more varied between the control points.
Brown	(7.5 - 10km long)	Physically demanding and technically dificult. For experienced adults only.

Newcomers to orienteering should read the clubs Information Pack, or Oli Johnson's Beginners Guide to Orienteering for a complete description of the types of event, which courses are easy or difficult, what equipment you need to take part, etc.

The best way to start orienteering is to visit one of the many local introductory events, where you can get advice on the types of course and what would be suitable for you. A full list of forthcoming orienteering events that are being put on by SELOC and other local clubs are given on the fixtures page.

Another way to begin is to visit one of the many permenant orienteering courses (POCs) in the Greater Manchester and surrounding areas, normally in large parks or country parks. They are called permenant courses because the control site markers are left permenantly in the ground so that anyone can turn up and have a go at any time. In nearly all cases, the permenant course maps and instructions can be purchased at a café or shop in the park.

Watch a brief introduction to orienteering on YouTube, filmed at Moss Bank Park, Bolton.