Deeside's Guide to Orienteering HOW TO START

1. At the registration car, choose a course from those available. Yellow (or white if available) is the shortest and easiest.
2. Pay the appropriate fee and choose a start time. Make sure that you allow time to copy down any map corrections and to walk to the start. You will be given a map, a control description sheet (clues) and a control card. The control description sheet is a list of the control features you will be looking for together with the codes you will find on the control markers.
3. Fill in your name and age class on both the control card and stub (if not already done by the registration official), and copy down any map corrections especially out of bounds areas.
4. Make your way to the start with map, control card, description sheet, whistle, red biro or red waterproof pen and compass. A polybag is useful to protect map and control card.
5. When your start time is called, hand in your stub to the start official. Go to the master maps when the whistle is blown. Make sure you find the right course.
6. On the master maps, the start is shown as a red triangle. Copy it onto your map, followed by the red circles that show where the control markers are hung. The finish is shown on the master map as two red circles, one inside the other. Make sure that you copy down the right course and put the control circles exactly in the right place on your map.
7. Walk (or run) to the first control. Check that the code is correct and punch your control card in the first numbered square using the pin punch hanging at the control. If punches are not being used, copy the hanging symbol onto your control card. Continue round the course to the final control.
8. YOU MUST ALWAYS REPORT TO THE FINISH WHETHER OR NOT YOU COMPLETE THE COURSE. At the finish, hand in your control card.
9. You can find out how you did at the results display.
10. If you want a copy of the results, address an envelope to yourself at registration, and pay the small charge for postage.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!