Is it time to ditch the word "Orienteering" from our sport?

[Copepod]

Interesting exhange yesterday - I spotted a 1965 edition of "Know the Game - Orienteering" on a market stall and bought it from a woman, aged in her 50s, I guess. So, I mentioned something about liking maps and being an orienteer. She seemed interested, so I mentioned the name of local orienteering club and said that beginners were welcome at nearly all events / races, just recommended making herself know as a beginner at registration, and she seemed interested. No idea if she will come along, but hopefully she now knows a bit more about the sport and that a woman juts a few years younger than her also takes part.
By the way, first sentence of the book is "Orienteering is the rather cumbersome but internationally-used term for competitive way-finding, usually (but not necessarily) carried out acorss country on foot." Written in 1965, remember

[Clive Coles]

Andy & Tatty

I didn't invent the Club name, nor was I a member of Mole Valley when they re-branded from MVMCFRS to MVO.

A little bit of our heritage went with the need to clarify what we are all about. And we are still obviously not sure.

[Tatty]

I loved the name, just a bit of a mouthful when I was typing up, very slowly, the SE League reults

[epocian]

Interesting exhange yesterday - I spotted a 1965 edition of "Know the Game - Orienteering" on a market stall and bought it from a woman, aged in her 50s, I guess. Written in 1965, remember

Hope you didn't find any spelling mistakes - I was a proof reader for that book when I worked for Educational Productions in the 60s

[Copepod]

Epocian - I'll let you know. I mis-copied "across" as "acorss" in my earlier post.

I was intrigued by the early symbols - eg 2 dark triangles separated by a lighter diagonal stripe, instead of the square divided into 1 dark / red and 1 light / white triangle; squares for start / finish on maps; control stamp pictured as a letter carved in wood - like a large version of a metal type piece etc

[Miner]

I found this video on YouTube which I think might get the juniors interested - although I'm quite certain we wouldn't be able to show it on grounds of Health and Safety!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm8-SS10gkQ&feature=related

[Roger]

I found this video on YouTube which I think might get the juniors interested - although I'm quite certain we wouldn't be able to show it on grounds of Health and Safety!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm8-SS10gkQ&feature=related

What's the symbol for 'crag, crossable in one direction?'

[Tatty]

That is incredible, but not too sure of how he then came out of the water with it only calf deep having jumped in (hopefully) with it at a greater depth.

[the.cap'n]

Why change the name it says exactly what it's all about
I took part in my first "Orienteering" event in 1964 and won the NE Scotland under 20 champs in 1965.
I understand Orienteering to be any event where a course is set and has to be navigated by the means provided. This ranges from making a map of the garden for the kids to find "treasure" or easter eggs and walking events for us less able right through to fully athletic events.
As Orienteering has the ability to cross between being a pastime, hobby and sport depending on the level at which it is being under taking I do not consider Orienteering to be the preserve of "elite" athletes, very much the opposite is fact. Orienteering can be enjoyed by great cross section of the population and does not always have to be a "race".
If there is an image issue perhaps those "in charge" of Orienteering should look to themselves to broaden the appeal to the general public and encourge youngsters to come though in easy stages.

As for the image of Orienteering I always described it to my peers as "a forest rally without a car" that usually got their interest and stopped any derisive remarks.

[mharky]

That is incredible, but not too sure of how he then came out of the water with it only calf deep having jumped in (hopefully) with it at a greater depth.

if only there was some way of moving underwater

there are some many of those videos. teenagers pretending to orienteer, but actually just running as fast as they possibly can, sometimes pretending to punch... wow.