Wearing shorts

[greywolf]

Re: Rules
At an event in the Lakes this Spring I was told by an official "it is ALWAYS compulsory to carry a whistle" - new to me after over 20 years orienteering..!

Your official was wrong:

7.1.4 A whistle should always be carried, but must only be used in an emergency. The Organiser, having regard to the nature of the terrain or weather conditions, may give notice that a whistle shall be carried by all competitors. In such circumstances a
competitor not carrying a whistle shall not be permitted to start the race.

1.4 Interpretation
1.4.1 The word ‘shall’ is a definite requirement.
1.4.2 The word ‘should’ is something that is desirable, but not essential, and which
competitors and officials will endeavour to comply with.

So carrying a whistle is desirable, but not compulsory unless the Organiser explicitly gives notice that you must do so. And it's clear that this notice has to be on an event by event basis: a club or regional association may feel that their terrain or weather is always such that a whistle is required, and decide to have a "compulsory whistles at all events" policy, but this needs to be explicitly communicated to competitors by the Organiser of each event.

[Angry Haggis]

Have just had a quick look at the details for the upcoming London & Lincoln races and I can't find any evidence (sorry if i missed it) that the Organiser has "give(n) notice that competitors are not required to wear clothing which fully covers the legs" so on a strict interpretation of the rules anyone turning up in shorts shouldn't be permitted to start.

So maybe the rules need sorting out? or maybe organisers should read them? or maybe it would just be simpler to have another tick box for "full leg cover compulsory?" on the BOF fixtures list event details page?

The City of London final details haven't been published yet, as entries are still open. The draft version of the final details has a section that reads "Full body cover is not required, shorts and singlets may be worn. Studded shoes are inappropriate for this event – wear trainers or similar."

[MIE]

The UltraSprint (on Sunday after London) has in the final details:


"The competition area is grass and parkland with some tarmac paths. There is no need for full body cover and shorts are permitted. Trainers are suitable although care should be taken if the grass is wet."

If Monday was anything to go by then wearing shorts and singlets may appear to be over-dressing

[frog]

Haven't heard anyone talking of "singlets" since I was in NZ. Interesting that it's become a common word down south.

[AlanB]

Haven't heard anyone talking of "singlets" since I was in NZ. Interesting that it's become a common word down south.

I think it is becoming more common in sports that have links with Aus and NZ (eg training singlets are used in both rugby codes).

[AlanB]

As for whistles I am sure that many, many moons ago (when I was at school) the whistle was as good as compulsory. I seem to remember the strict adherence of 'no whistle, no go!'

[harry]

a club or regional association may feel that their terrain or weather is always such that a whistle is required

Well it's a relief to hear that West Midlands OA are concerned for competitor's safety, those gorse bushes in Sutton Park can be pretty menacing!

[King Penguin]

... and both Titterstone and Brown Clee Hills can be hypothermia-inducing in bad conditions and if the cloud is down visibility can be almost non-existant.

[graeme]

Great fun at ESOC's maze ultrasprint yesterday. But I was annoyed that it was only after I finished when I realised I coulda/shoulda run without shoes.

[EddieH]

Why not naked Graeme? On one famous occasion the winner of the Moel Siabod fell race finished starkers

[ianandmonika]

Couple of years ago, Dieter Wolf ran WMOC qualifications in shorts, was picked up on it and forced to wear trousers in final.
Long trousers rule was from hepatitis outbreak in Sweden several years ago - blood mixing from cuts while washing/showering. As far as I know, its up to each national federation to decide its own stance on body cover.

[AndyC]

I can understand why someone might want to run in shorts or not; but why the strength of objection to whistles from some people?
I accept that they may be as useful as a chocolate teapot in those people's opinion and that others think that they could be a lifesaver but even if you are in the first school they really aren't much hassle.
I bought mine for, I think 50p (so it is my cheapest bit of kit),
I've tied it to my compass so I always have it (as I always carry my compass when competing or planning), it only weighs a few grams so it isn't a real weight penalty.
I've seen other orienteers who have their whistle sewn or pinned to their shirt and others with it stuffed in a pocket -none of which really affect you on the run.
So why the great objections? It MIGHT help in an emergency, officials (BOF) want you to carry one, it isn't a great inconvenience and you can't go back to get it if you do need it on the course.
Really, why the objections? - I'd like to know

[graeme]

I think people object to being told at the start that they can't go orienteering because of some inconsistently applied local rule.

They'll let you start without a compass, in stupid gripless shoes, in cotton tops which will soon become soaked. But the whistle has this bizarre status for some people that if you forget it, you can just go home. If you're going to ban people from going out, it shouldn't be about whether something might be useful, it's whether it's essential. Which is a hard case to sell when 99% of orienteers manage fine without.

Also, I've run plenty of long races where a chocolate teapot would have been just the thing to keep energy levels up: never seen the use of a whistle.

[Mrs H]

I believe the use of whistles by the orienteers who found the unconscious casualty at the White Rose this year allowing first aiders and then emergency services to get to the exact location through dense low visibility woodland promptly, probably saved a life. They are more easy to pinpoint than voices.

For that reason I will always carry one from now on.

[EddieH]

i've said this before, but in windy weather a plastic whistle simply doesn't travel any reasonable distance. Can't disagree with AndyC but a counter argument is that people might blow their whistle when had they shouted they would have been heard.

It all depends on the weather, and the vocal power of the person concerned.

But believe me I have had exactly the scenario put here when taking school kids into Dalby Forest. One boy stood and blew his whistle constantly less than 100m from a track that I had been along a couple of times looking for him. It was only when he decided to get up and find a path that we found him.