orienteering in the olympics?

[Arnold]

On a slightly different (but related) note - I'd like to start a campaign to remove all the weird orienteering language and replace it with something more modern / understandable

Like for instance:
- Assembly -> race arena
- Final details -> race information
- Planner -> course setter

And so forth. Surely that would be a first step in making it less weird particularly to newcomers?

[drobin]

In the early days (I'm browsing results from 1970), the planners were called 'Setters'.

[mrmoosehead]

I believe it's still setter in the US?

[Gnitworp]

In the early days (I'm browsing results from 1970), the planners were called 'Setters'.

....... and Controllers, 'Vetters': far more apt in my opinion (redolent of a less regulated society perhaps?)

[SeanC]

Remember though, that the language this only makes us look weird online. The referred to dog walkers were talking about us looking weird (I assume).

I don't think I helped. When I arrived late I realised I'd only got one gater, so borrowed another. Odd coloured gaters, one 2 sizes too big.

[Angry Haggis]

On a slightly different (but related) note - I'd like to start a campaign to remove all the weird orienteering language and replace it with something more modern / understandable

Like for instance:
- Assembly -> race arena
- Final details -> race information
- Planner -> course setter

And so forth. Surely that would be a first step in making it less weird particularly to newcomers?

Yes, I agree completely.

Event -> Race
Assembly -> Race arena or Race HQ
Final details -> Race information (I notice that the JK is producing multiple editions of the supposedly "final" details...! Surely the concept is redundant anyway in the days of updateable websites rather than pieces of paper in the post)
Planner -> Course designer
Controller -> Referee or senior official
Start boxes -> Start line
Organiser -> Race director
The start kite -> Have it at the start line or move the start line to the kite. After 20 years in the sport, I still don't understand...

Some of these ideas I've tried out for the City Race in years past. However traditional forces have resulted in some not making it through.

[mharky]

Let's not forget the biggest one...

control point = check point

And get rid of club abbreviations

[Gnitworp]

I see Nope still doesn't let me type in d----r rather than SI Card

[Sunlit Forres]

remove all the weird orienteering language

Anyone who reads my stories in the Moray press will know I avoid orienteering language like the plague. I try to copy the language I hear beginners using at events. The odd "control" creeps in every now and again but mostly it's checkpoints, course designers and routes.

One of our recent newbies called their EMIT brikke a zapper. Goodness knows what they'd have made of an SI card. I wonder whether that might catch on.

[Angry Haggis]

I see Nope still doesn't let me type in d----r rather than SI Card

"Timing chip"

[MIE]

I see Nope still doesn't let me type in d----r rather than SI Card

"Timing chip"

Then you have an "Emit timing chip" or a "SI timing chip" if you want to be precise.
(In most road races, because they "belong" to the organiser, you haven't a clue
what timing chip is used)

[Copepod]

Working at a Half Marathon and 10k on Sunday, I met disposable timing chips, for the first time - attached to race numbers, safety pinned to runners. No need for chips to be downloaded, handed in etc. I asked the timing guy about costs of disposable chips, but he didn't know.

[Oldman]

Disposable timing chips are often used at 10K road races.

[roadrunner]

The difference (as I understand it) between the chips used in road races and those in orienteering is that, for road races, it is the "controls" (i.e. timing mats or the like) that record who passes over them and when; the chips store nothing and are never "downloaded". This is fine for a race, where in general you're only interested in total time, and it isn't too bad to do (say) 5km splits as well (which is sometimes used as a check that people haven't taken a short cut); however, it wouldn't really work for orienteering events. Because the chips are simpler, they are indeed a lot cheaper than SI or Emit (I suspect they're made in much larger quantities, which also helps); when I was involved with this a few years back, the cost of chip timing a road race (which included the chips and the hire of the start/finish equipment and people to operate it) was of the order of £4 per entry.

[SeanC]

I think SLOW's efforts at modernising their orienteering language are great.

Particular pet hate, clubs that call themselves Klubb*. It shouldn't annoy me as much, it's just that the "why can't you spell club?" question is one of the first beginners ask when you're in a Klubb, and I guess it feels a bit ... weird.

Orienteering jargon is a particular problem for flyers (see that's more old fashioned jargon) which are mainly read by experienced orienteers, but also a few (often baffled) newbies and people that would come along but get put off. The language is often (unintentionally) unwelcoming, confusing, intimidating (to the newbie).

I think the problem is that organisers are generally experienced orienteers and find it hard to write something brief that make sense to newcomers. I think it's hard to get right.

Do any clubs have systems to improve their quality? Perhaps have people checking the fliers (newcomers, juniors etc), or asking a controller to review the fliers.

* I know that changing a club/klubb name is likely expensive and likely to cause a row or two.