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Orienteering Training
Beginner Clinics
- Free beginner clinics are offered at most BAOC events.
They are short, repeating sessions that provide an introduction to orienteering, and enough instruction to be able to complete a beginner course. The availability and schedule for the sessions is given on the webpage for each event.
Training Groups
- Junior and Adult Training Programs
Watch this space for Junior Training Programming coming in the future.
Send an email
to register interest.
Email Lists
- BAOC club email list (aka the BayONet)
BAOC has an electronic mailing list called the BayONet. It's used by club members to communicate about events, discuss orienteering topics, and (rarely) organize training events and discuss training techniques. (Other club communications are described on the same webpage.)
Articles
- Shell Ridge Map Quiz (PDF/6.2MB) (http://baoc.org/wiki/images/b/b0/ShellRidgeMapQuiz.pdf) Check out the new map of Shell Ridge, and practice matching terrain features on the map with photographs.
- Navigating Briones (PDF/1.7MB) (http://baoc.org/wiki/images/b/bc/Navigating_Briones.pdf) A guided tour of an advanced course at Briones regional park, with terrain photos and tips for navigation.
- Training Tips, by Dennis Wildfogel
The complete collection of Dennis' excellent training articles, which previously appeared in the BAOC Bulletin.
(Unfortunately, this resource has been misplaced. If you know where to find it, please send email to.)
- Pace Counting, by Evan Custer
Learn to pace count and you can judge distance more accurately.
- Taking Accurate Compass Bearings, by Steve Gregg
- Don't Loiter at the Controls, by Evan Custer
Techniques for improving your approach to controls.
- Build Up Those Quads, by Evan Custer
Prevent knee problems by building up your quad muscles.
- Forked Controls, by Dennis Wildfogel
Learn what forked controls are, and when they are used.
- Description of a Butterfly Loop, by Tapio Karras
Discover how this interesting course variant can make a chase-type event even more exciting.
- Training Tips from the BAOC Bulletin 2001-2005 (PDF/176KB) (http://baoc.org/wiki/images/8/89/TrainingTipsFromBulletin.pdf), compiled by Jeff Lanam
Articles by Steve Gregg, Syd Reader, and Tom Strat.
Online Programs
- RouteGadget
After your course, enter your route to compare with others and analyze your race.
- Attackpoint (http://www.attackpoint.org/)
Attackpoint is an online community for orienteers and adventure racers. It includes one of the best training-log programs you'll ever find, in addition to a worldwide race calendar, tools for comparing results, and an active forum to communicate with other orienteers.
- O-Training.net (http://o-training.net/)
A comprehensive online resource covering all aspects of orienteering technical training.
Computer Games
- Catching Features (http://www.catchingfeatures.com/) is a realistic first-person orienteering simulator. Besides being a fun game, world champion orienteers use this program to train. A free demo is available for download, and the licensed version allows one to compete online, using virtual simulations of real orienteering maps. This program was created by a BAOC member!
- Oriantica (http://www.melin.nu/oriantica/) from Melin Software is similar to Catching Features. It builds on the earlier version called WinOL (http://www.melin.nu/winol/winole_direct.html). (Click on the British flag to get the English version.)
- Orienteering Games (https://orienteering-games.vercel.app/) – Several online orienteering games.
Online Quizzes
- Quiz on orienteering control-description (clue-sheet) symbols (http://www.sporcle.com/games/Steerpike/orienteering-control-descriptions)
Online interactive quizzes for learning or reviewing the IOF symbols used for describing controls.
- Quiz on orienteering map symbols (http://www.octavian-droobers.org/index.php/coaching/on-line-quizzes/294-map-symbol-training)
Online interactive quizzes for learning or reviewing the IOF symbols used on maps.