Is Orienteering a sport?

[Mrs H]

Oi graeme - what's your game? I may have missed out the word "was" from before "taught", but the last time I looked nopesport was not a newspaper and there were no regulations preventing me from indulging in a stream of consciousness style narrative, so bog off!

[SeanC]

I never thought this would generate so much response.

I'm in two minds about complaining. I might do... after the event the press release was about. I suspect a complaint might lead to the reporter's bottom being spanked, but perhaps only for stupidly committing his opinions to email. He could have just ignored me or fobbed me off with "not enough room in the paper". But I'm glad he's been honest as at least I've learnt something about non-orienteers perceptions.

Do local commercial papers really have an obligation to inform beyond a moral obligation? Is there any legal requirement for them to provide news... or can they just churn out any old cobblers so long as it doesn't breach PCC guidelines?

Anyway all has ended well. A nice lady from "Greenwich Times" (different paper) has rung me in response to the press release. They are putting an article in, and want to do reports about any of our events in Greenwich in future. It's a council newspaper which has come in for a lot of criticism for being a waste of money (delivered to all homes in Greenwich). But their defence is that local commercial newspapers don't do a good enough job of informing local people about council services and things that will help local people. mmmm.

On a different note, after searching the YouTube clips, would be good to see some more exciting/fast/action type clips on Orienteering. How about a movie taken from camera mounted on of our faster orienteers heads as he/she raced through some tough Scottish forest. Is that possible? Might help improve our brand image?

[andypat]

Good idea - although I suspect a video on any old orienteers head speeded up might do!

[pyrat]

Orienteering is definitely a sport, no question about that.

However, sports can also be hobbies. Although many devote a lot of their time / live to this wonderful sport (including myself), it is predominantly a hobby.

Im sure there are some that would say there are a lot more 'useful' things we can all be doing with our time. That orienteering is pointless.

I dont agree. Its a great way to see the world, gives purpose to travels, meet great people (mostly), drives competitive behaviour, gives you an excuse to drive along some great roads, keeps you from the grave, gives you wilderness experience and finally provides an environment where a competitive sport can function.

[DJM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport
A sport is commonly defined as an organized, competitive, and skillful physical activity requiring commitment and fair play. It is governed by a set of rules or customs. ...

QED

[GML]

On a different note, after searching the YouTube clips, would be good to see some more exciting/fast/action type clips on Orienteering. How about a movie taken from camera mounted on of our faster orienteers heads as he/she raced through some tough Scottish forest. Is that possible? Might help improve our brand image?

Like these ones of Thierry you mean?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YrNWVzdKGk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWxTIyFEFqc

[rosco]

o·ri·en·teer·ing   
[awr-ee-en-teer-ing, ohr-]
–noun
a competitive sport, originating in Sweden, that tests the skills of map reading and cross-country running, in which competitors race through an unknown area to find various checkpoints by using only a compass and topographical map, the winner being the finisher with the lowest elapsed time.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/orienteering

[Scott]

The OED gives

orienteering, n.

[< ORIENT v. + -EER suffix² + -ING suffix¹. In sense 2 probably after Swedish orientering (1931 or earlier in this sense); compare MOUNTAINEERING n. Compare later ORIENTEER v.]

2. A competitive sport in which runners have to find their way across rough country with the aid of a map and compass. Also (occas.) with competitors using skis, riding on horseback, etc. Also fig.

1948 Amer. Ski Ann. 1949 146/1 Senior Scouts representing 15 Boy Scout Councils from New York and New Jersey met at Snow Ridge Ski Center last winter to compete in the first official Ski Orienteering race to be held in America.
1954 Time 1 Nov. 58 Known officially as ‘orienteering’, the sport dates back to 1918 when the first Swedish club was formed to hold formal competitions.
1973 Whole Earth Catal. 23/1 Within recent years, Orienteering as a sport, in the form of ‘Orienteering Races’ has swept Europe... Orienteering events have become regular features in many athletic and outdoor clubs.
1999 Scouting Mag. Nov. 40/1 (advt.) The National Trust Campsites have special facilities for Youth Groups including the use of Pioneering poles, ropes & orienteering equipment.

That's the June 2008 draft revision - it's a shame they haven't replaced "horseback" with "mountain bikes"

[AlanB]

Orienteering is definitely a sport, no question about that.
Im sure there are some that would say there are a lot more 'useful' things we can all be doing with our time. That orienteering is pointless.

I would also disagree. 'Play' is one of the most important, and useful, things a person can do and, especially as adults, we forget that at our peril. Sure most of us are very serious about getting the best performance we can out of ourselves, and some have the greater ambition of being one of the best, but what we do is still play; as is football, tennis, cricket, etc.

Play is essential for our physical, mental and even spiritual health and well-being, and the sport of orienteering is, IMO, one of its best forms, and one that can be enjoyed throughout life.

That should be reflected in local newspapers where appropriate!

[DaveK]

Play is essential for our physical, mental and even spiritual health and well-being, and the sport of orienteering is, IMO, one of its best forms, and one that can be enjoyed throughout life.

That should be reflected in local newspapers where appropriate!

Orienteering is undoubtedly a sport, but I also quite like this notion of 'play' - at least for those of us who are a bit less competitive. Always enjoyed a good treasure hunt. Anyway just off for a bit of night-time play in the woods - just the Kent Night Cup I hasten to add.

[Sunlit Forres]

We can all throw up our hands in horror about how misinterpreted our sport can be. The fact is, however, that there are still plenty of people about who think of orienteering as boys scouts, cagoules and map cases. It's of our own making.

We've done the image of the sport no good at all by banging on in the past about the family sport where you go at your own pace, so it's not that shocking to me to come across a sports editor who really hasn't a clue that we're a sport. To him an orienteering event is no more worthy of sports coverage as a village hall car treasure hunt. Completely misguided he may be, and certainly lacking in any form of tact, but doesn't the fact that everyone else in his office shares the same lack of insight tell you something?

What I suggest, Sean, is that you send in a post RACE report with a couple of really dynamic action shots showing the better athletes. A press release is no good. Write the report yourself; make it sound exciting (using white lies if necessary), and emphasise the competitive side. If you have a local runner that might be recognised at the race, mention him. Get a quote from them (or make one up).

And don't make this a one-off. Send a report for every event your club is involved in and before long you'll start to be taken more seriously. I know it works - I've been doing it for years in Moray starting from nothing, and would be happy to send you some cuttings of stuff that has got past the editorial defences.

Treat this as an opportunity and a challenge! And the very best of luck to you.

[EddieH]

And believe Sunlit Forres when he says "make up the quotes"

[eddie]

I managed to get a bit in the Daily Express today

Apologies for the photo (not my choice!) and hindsight I should have supplied them with one. The article isn't too bad and does answer everyone's question. The first line is 'Orienteering is a sport'

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/204 ... way-is-fun

[SeanC]

Yes, and the word "race" is there too.

General point about pictures. Is there any way Orienteers can share our really good pictures? I'm not talking about the run of the mill ones, but the real head turning ones that might get published even without a story, and would definately draw readers in.

Somehow I'd like to be able to view some kind of portal where I can log in, then search through the pictures for the one that suits the story or publicity. It might not matter if the picture was somewhere else in the country or world. I have about half a dozen really good pictures taken from fellow club members that I'm sure I could get permission for general use by all orienteers, and I don't want to keep re-using the same ones. This might be particularly useful to new publicity officers who don't have a stock of good pictures.

[the exile]

I'm sorry Ed, but if I was the sports reporter in question, the description in the Express would not do anything to make me change my view that orienteering is just a fun activity and not really a sport..... And that photo is just too shocking for words...

We, as orienteers, know that our sport can be done by everyone, no matter the age or speed we compete at. But we really do ourselves no favours by forever reinforcing this "fun activity for everyone, the walkers can even beat the runners" image that I would say most people who have never competed in an orienteering race (I refuse to use the word o-event, it's not an ****ing jamboree for god's sake). Why do we insist on not promoting the running aspect of our sport? Nobody advertsises a 10km road race or a marathon by saying - "don't worry, you can just walk if you want". Yes, people do but the majority of competitors know that they have to and do train for the event, hence all the training programmes constantly promoted in the running and normal press leading up to a major race

The pioneers of orienteering in the UK were well-respected international athletes and tough fell runners. The sport did attract runners in the early days and in the 70s and 80s was certainly a running sport with the Chiltern Challenge for example often attracting upwards of 120 runners in the M21A class, and they were actually all in this age group. Or the JK relay in 1982 with 2 classes in the Open category as there were thought to be too many teams!!

My view always has been that our image and profile went downhill after BOF in the 80s started promoting the 'wayfaring' aspect of the sport instead of what it is, and should be promoted as - an exciting, adventurous, challenging running sport for the toughest and smartest!!!

Why do we insist on promotong orienteering as the "sport" for everyone? It is and can be for everyone, regardless of physical ability, but we don't have to promote it as such.
If something is open and suitable for everyone, no one wants it. On the other hand, if you make something exciting and exclusive, then lots of people want a part of the action. Ifirmly believe that we need to change direction in terms of promoting orienteering. If I was a youngster today, I really don't believe I would be tempted to start orienteering with all the other sports and activites available and the current un-cool image our fantastic sport unfortunately has to fight against.