Walk this way: Orienteers Heather Leslie and John Gavens.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
FOR the cartographically-challenged, there may yet be hope.
The sport of orienteering usually elicits visions of maps with complicated contour lines, compasses, hiking boots and rough terrain.
But the Geelong series of park and street orienteering events is, well, a walk in the park comparatively and literally.
Park and street orienteering is ideal for the average walker seeking a little exercise – mental and physical.
Geelong coordinator John Gavens explained that anyone who could walk to their nearest shop was fit enough to participate.
“You don’t need a compass or any special map-reading ability. Just wear running gear or lightweight clothing and shoes and you’re ready to go,” John said.
“The beauty of these events is they cater for everyone.
“Some competitors are elite athletes using it as variation in their training. Others are walking the dog, walking with friends or getting around with the family, including babies in prams.”
Geelong Street O runs a series of events each season. Next up is a six-event winter series starting on July 7 and another 10-event series with legs at Lara and Torquay.
John said the recent summer series achieved record participation.
“We’re always trialling new courses with different maps and we attracted 65 participants on average per event.”
Street orienteering events usually features three courses for runners, ranging from three to 10 kilometres, plus a walking course.
Most events use a “scatter” format in which participants search for a designated number of controls in any order in the fastest time.
The controls can have differing points value, with the aim to obtain as many points as possible in a set time. Points are deducted for late returns.
Events start at 7pm, with registration and a briefing 30 minutes prior.
Entry fees are a nominal $4 for adults and $2 for juniors.
John said street orienteering often enabled participants to discover parts of the city and region they had never seen before.
“We’ve discovered the bayside beauty of Rippleside, the intricate web of streets and cut-throughs at St Albans and the coastal beauty of the Jan Juc cliffs. One summer event was held almost entirely within Eastern Park.”
For the more adventurous, the sport also offers mountain bike orienteering and rogaining, both on a state-wide basis.
John said more information was available at vicorienteering.asn.au/parkstreet/geelong or by emailing lesgav@gmail.com or phoning 0427 840 816.
