Competitions

Age Classes and Competition types explained

Age Classes

Age and sex class groupings for orienteering events operate for badge events and state, national and international events. Ages are based on the age of the competitor as at 31December of the relevant year.

For the junior groups aged from 10 to 20 the classes are every two years apart. W-10 or M-10 means that children up to and including 10 years of age can compete in this class. W-12 or M-12 is for children up to and including 12 years of age.

In the adult age classes the Women's and Men's 21 class covers competitors from 21 to 34 year of age. Beyond 35, the classes are grouped at five year age intervals, generally up to 75 (or older if there are enough competitors in the 80+ age group)

Withing many age groupings, there may also be different classes offerent to take into account varying levels of technical ability. For example, a M-14A class would be for boys up to and including 14 years old who are capable of a Moderate standard course, whicle a M-14B course would be for the same age group but for those still of an Easy course standard. Similarly, in most of the adult classes, there are B categories offered for those who whish to compete at a Moderate standard. Classes such as W35-44B are meant for female competitors from 35-44 years of age and are of a Moderate standard.

In some state and national competitions, an AS (A short) class may be offered in particular age groupings. These classes offer a Hard standard of course by offer a shorter distance than what would normally be expected for that age grouping. These classes are proving very popular for those competitors who still want a technical challenge but who are physically limited in how far or how fast they want to go.

For more information please check with your club technical officer for advice on the appropriate class you should enter for these types of events.

Types of Competitions

Come And Try It (CATI)

Come and Try It events are specially designed to meet the needs of those people new to orienteering. The events is usually held in a parkland environment, alternatively, in a suburban area where there is some tempting bush to wet the appetites of those who are more venturous.

The courses on offer for these events are Very Easy, Easy, Moderate and Hard.

Local Club (LC)

Each month or more often during the cooler months, there is a Local Club event organised in your area. Each club is responsible for the organisation and promotion of these events. They are generally held on a Sunday morning between 9am and 11am. This is a good opportunity to meet the people within your area and gain experience from other club members.

These events are usually held where there is more areas of terrain to tempt those wanting more out of their orienteering. It is important to note that these areas will have many prominent features to assist those new to orienteering like tracks and walk ways along with cleared areas so it boost their confidence before making the next step.

There are 4 types of courses that are generally on offer:Very Easy, Easy, Moderate and Hard.

New members are always welcome so don't forget to introduce yourself and be part of the team.

Street-O And Park-O

This is very similar to Foot-O, but involves shorter events in city parks and other more urban settings. As a result, it uses larger-scale maps, 1:10 000 at the smallest (and as large as 1:4 000). These tend to be at faster speeds than bush events due to the more open terrain.

During the hotter months,the Brisbane clubs hold Night events around street maps,starting around 6.30pm.These are held as score events in which competitors aim to visit as many control sitess as possible within a time limit.There is usually a mass start (rather than staggered), with a time limit of 40 mins. Controls may have different point values depending on difficulty and there is a point penalty for each minute late. The competitor with the highest point value (or who has the shortest time after visiting every control) is the winner.

See the Nightnav page

The large-scale, endurance-style version of a Score-O is known as a ROGAINE, competed by teams in events lasting (often) 24 hours. A very large area is used for competition, and the map scale is smaller as a result. The format originated in Australia. The term ROGAINE is often said to stand for Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance; this is essentially a backronym, as the name actually originates from the names of Rod Gail and Neil Phillips, who were among Australian Rogaining's first participants.

Visit the Queensland Rogaine Association website for more information.

Badge Events

Queenland participates in the national Badge scheme which was developed to recognise the achievement of a consistent orienteering standard relative to one's age group peers. To be eligible for a badge standard credit, competitors must run the minimum course or higher for their age class. Orienteers achieving a certain standard - gold, silver or bronze - at three of these events within a two year period may apply to Orienteering Australia for a cloth badge to recognise their achievements. Queensland conducts two Badge events during the year and the Queensland Orienteering Championships also count as a badge event under the scheme. Entry fees for these events are higher as a levy is paid to Orienteering Australia.

The courses that are offered for these events are based on your age.

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