Permanent orienteering courses                           

What is a Permanent orienteering course?

It is a number of permanent control points (usually about 20) identified by sturdy wooden posts with a code and an orienteering logo carved or painted on it. All the controls are shown on an overprinted map. They are usually situated in local parks or forests owned by councils, the National Trust or Forest Enterprise. Management of the courses may be by the owner of the land, or by the local orienteering club.

What is the purpose of Permanent orienteering courses?

The courses have many purposes, depending on your own specific needs. The great thing about them is that you can go at a time to suit you, on whatever day of the week you choose. If you are an experienced orienteer you may use them to fine tune some techniques, maybe pace counting, relocation or line orienteering. They are also an ideal way of introducing children and adults alike to the sport, where you can go at your own pace and spend as much time as you like figuring out the map. If you want to go in a pair or as a group, again, this is the perfect opportunity. You may have just started orienteering and want to gain confidence in your skills outside of the pressures of an organized competition. So whether you are using them for training purposes or just for a more adventurous family stroll, the choice is entirely yours.

Permanent orienteering courses in south-west London

SLOW have arranged a couple of permanent orienteering courses, detailed below:

WIMBLEDON PARK
Location - Wimbledon Park, SW19 – click here for a location map.  To get hold of the orienteering map, please contact Don McKerrow (see below). For more information about what courses you can do at Wimbledon Park, click here (PDF file).

KINGSMEADOW
Location - Kingsmeadow Athletics and Fitness Centre, Boundary Close, Kingston Road, Kingston, KT1 3PB - click here for a location map.  Orienteering maps are available from reception, or by contacting Don McKerrow (see below).  There are 3 courses available, between 0.5km and 0.7km, of about white/yellow/orange standard.  For details and opening times see the UK Running Track Directory website.

Other Permanent orienteering courses in the south-east

There are several Permanent orienteering courses all over south-east England.  For further information see the South East Orienteering Association website http://www.seoa.org.uk, and click on "POCs" in the top-left hand corner.

Further information

If you have any questions or comments on SLOW's Permanent orienteering courses, or would like to get hold of any of the maps, please contact Don McKerrow (chair@sloweb.org.uk).

Page updated 10 January 2007