Clothing for movement
Choose practical outdoor clothing that allows comfortable movement through the planned terrain and suits the day's conditions.
Membership
Join with a clear path from first session to full course.
You do not need prior orienteering experience. Membership begins with an introduction to the map, the basic navigation routine, and a course format that matches your current confidence.
Who can join
Start from the technique you already have.
Some members arrive with hiking navigation experience. Others have used maps mainly in cities. Some already know competitive orienteering. We do not require everyone to begin at the same technical point.
The first objective is to understand your current map-reading confidence and place you in an activity where decisions are challenging enough to be useful without turning the course into guesswork.
- Beginners can request a fundamentals introduction
- Returning participants can refresh specific skills
- Experienced orienteers can ask about technical training formats
- Members can progress between course levels as confidence develops
Joining process
Four practical steps.
Send an enquiry
Tell us whether you are new to orienteering, returning after time away, or looking for a club with structured technical sessions.
Choose an introductory session
We identify a suitable activity and explain the meeting point, expected duration, terrain type, and what equipment is useful.
Learn the session routine
Before starting, you receive the map-specific information needed for the exercise and a clear explanation of the technical objective.
Continue at the right level
After the session, use the debrief to decide whether to repeat a skill, increase course complexity, or join a broader club activity.
What to bring
Keep the kit simple and suited to the terrain.
For many introductory sessions, the important items are straightforward. Specific event instructions will explain anything additional that is needed for a particular location.
Suitable footwear
Use footwear with stable grip for the surface described in the session information, especially when the route includes uneven or wooded ground.
Compass, if you have one
A simple baseplate compass is enough for core direction work. Beginners can ask in advance if they need guidance on an appropriate type.
Membership value
Progress comes from repeated, purposeful exposure.
A single course can be enjoyable. A sequence of sessions with clear objectives is what develops dependable navigation. Membership gives you a framework for returning to the same core skills in gradually more demanding situations.
The club's role is to provide maps, exercises, course structures, and useful discussion. Your role is to stay curious about each decision and bring what you learned into the next session.
Common questions
Before you join
Do I need to be fast?
No. Navigation quality and learning are central. Course choice and session format can be matched to your current movement pace and technical level.
Do I need my own compass?
Not always for a first introduction. Ask when you contact the club so the session information can explain what is available and what is useful to bring.
Will I be navigating alone?
Some exercises are independent because personal decision-making is the skill being trained. Selected beginner or technique sessions may include guided or partner elements before independent practice.
What happens if I make a navigation error?
Errors are part of learning. The useful response is to stop early, identify reliable evidence, relocate methodically, and review which signal was missed or misread.
Interested in joining?