Charter of Operations - NOC Mapping Group Updated 12th December 2022
The aim of the Mapping Committee is to ensure that the maps used in events organised by the Newcastle Orienteering Club are of the highest possible standard.
The Mapping Committee will do this by overseeing, co-ordinating, and developing processes related to the production, maintenance and distribution of the club’s maps that are efficient, practical and sustainable.
NOC encourages membersv to get involved in mapping. However, if you are new to mapping (or if you're experienced and want to start a new project), please first talk with members of NOC's Mapping Group (currently Geoff Todkill, Rob Vincent, Sam Howe, Malcolm Roberts and Ian Dempsey). This will prevent duplication of effort and will ensure your work follows accepted mapping standards.
Be aware of both your personal safety when mapping and that landowner permission is required to run events in most areas.
An orienteering map is of high quality if:
Technically; it conforms to the latest relevant IOF standard
it provides the information necessary to orienteer in the mapped terrain
it is accurate and up to date
Practically; it is clear and readable by the participants
it does not degrade in the environments in which events take place
The Mapping Committee will consist of a main committee and three sub-committees, one for each discipline of Bush/MTBO Orienteering; Urban/Sprint Orienteering; and Street Orienteering. The Technical Officer will be a member of the main committee. Each sub-committee will be managed by the member of the main Mapping Committee, who will report on their activity.
The Mapping Officer will convene Mapping Committee meetings at regular intervals, report activities and make recommendations to the NOC committee. Membership of the Mapping Committee will be by election at the NOC AGM. In case of conflicts of opinion, the ultimate resolution will be made by the NOC committee.
Currently the Mapping Officer is Geoff Todkill; The Technical Officer is Robert Vincent;
Bush/MTBO Orienteering is managed by Geoff Todkill; the Urban/Sprint Orienteering is managed by Ian Dempsey; and Street Orienteering is managed by Malcolm Roberts.
Each sub-committee will be responsible for all aspects of mapping in that discipline.
a. Maintain the NOC map archive and records of map use. The map files will be securely stored with cloud and physical back-ups, with a controlled number of people to have access.
b. Manage the distribution of maps to NOC course planners, and respond to requests from outside agencies.
c. Manage the update of older NOC maps to the relevant mapping standard and manage the ongoing inclusion of map corrections.
d. Develop a sample map to advertise the current mapping symbols to all relevant parties.
e. Maintain a base map file for use in conversion of older maps and for use in new mapping projects.
f. Co-ordinate any mapping activity and develop expertise within the club, by encouraging and mentoring all involved in mapping and course planning.
g. Discuss any significant decisions or actions with the main committee.
Geoff Todkill - Mapping Officer
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Here is the link to access Eventor - https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events
What does Orienteering involve?
Orienteering is a competitive or non-competitive recreational activity in which participants use a detailed map (and usually a compass) to navigate between checkpoints (known as “controls”) along an unfamiliar course. In traditional orienteering orange and white markers ("flags") are set in the places that correspond to the control points on the map. Once the competitor has selected their route to a control and successfully found it they register their visit on a small electronic timing device - a “Sportident” or “SI stick”. (Newcastle's Street events and summer Mountain Bike Orienteering use a smartphone GPS navigation app called MapRun instead of Sportident to record your visit to each control). The winner of the competition is the participant who has used the shortest time to visit all the controls in numerical order or, for Street & MTBO events, gets the highest score within the time limit. Fast running (or riding) alone does not make you a winner. You must also choose the best route between controls and navigate without wasting time. If you like a mental and physical challenge and exploring the outdoors, orienteering is the sport for you!
Watch the introduction to Orienteering video - Orienteering - Do we run?
Where are events held?
The club hold events on mapped areas of bush, parkland and urban areas within the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Singleton local government areas.
When are events held?
Winter Bush events are generally held on Sunday mornings roughly fortnightly between late March and early October. In summer daylight savings the club holds Wednesday afternoon events with a weekly "Summer Street Series" using the MapRun app and simplified maps, followed by urban parkland events (“UFO Series”) in March/April. The club also runs summer Mountain Bike Orienteering events (BOSS: Bike Orienteering Summer Series).
You can TRY ORIENTEERING ANYTIME FOR FREE by visiting one of our local Permanent Courses at Blue Gum Hills Regional Park Minmi and at Brickworks Park Wallsend after printing your own map.
What time do they start?
Due to the nature of the sport, starts are generally staggered (similar to a or car rally or time trial). At winter Sunday bush events participants can generally start anytime between 9:30am and 11:30am. Summer Wednesday events have a 5:00pm to 6:30pm start window for Street-O and a 4:45pm to 6:15pm window for Urban Series events. Summer mountain bike orienteering starts are early Sunday mornings. For your first event you should aim to arrive earlier rather than later as you will need some instruction before commencing!
How difficult is it?
Bush orienteering courses are structured into four navigational difficulty levels. Participants select which level they wish to do depending on their experience and navigational ability.
- Very Easy: Very easy navigation for juniors or beginners. All controls are on tracks or along fences or other easy to follow linear features (called "handrails") and are readily visible.
- Easy: Easy navigation. Controls are placed close to tracks, fences, watercourses or some readily identifiable linear feature. There may be options to "cut across" through the bush.
- Moderate: Moderate navigation requiring better map-reading skills. Controls mostly located away from tracks requiring basic cross-country navigation. Route choice options will require some decision-making.
- Hard: Challenging navigation requiring advanced map reading skills. Controls require cross-country navigation, may be isolated "point features" or in complex areas and may not be visible from the line of approach. Wider choice of routes means greater decision-making.
Street, Urban and MTBO events are at an easy navigational level and generally suitable for most beginners. MTBO events require riders to be competent in riding bush tracks and trails.
Who orienteers?
Our club is a mixture of all age groups and we have many family memberships. Orienteering is great family sport as everyone can participate at the one venue. Juniors need to be about 8-10 years old to undertake a course by themselves but there is no upper limit and we have had people over 80 years old competing. (Note - for safety at Street Orienteering & BOSS events children under 15 need to be accompanied by someone older).
How competitive is it?
You may wish to amble around a course and enjoy the surroundings or compete seriously by going as fast as you can. It's up to you. For keen, competitive orienteers there are opportunities to represent the club, state and nation at the championship level.
Can we participate as a group?
We have many participants that do the course in small groups. They are generally newer members or small family groups. When you gain more experience you will probably prefer the challenge of completing the course by yourself.
How long are the courses?
Distances tend to increase the harder you go up the navigational scale and will vary depending on the terrain. Typical distances for bush orienteering events are:
- Very Easy 1.5-2.5 km
- Easy 2.0-3.0 km
- Moderate Short 2.0-3.0 km
- Moderate Long 3.5-4.5 km
- Hard Short 3.0-4.0 km
- Hard Medium 4.0-6.0 km
- Hard Long 6.0-8.0 km
Urban series events have two courses of around 2-2.5km and 4-5km plus a ~1km easy mini course for juniors. Street events are "score" events with a 45 minute time limit where you chose a route to visit as many controls as you can. BOSS mountain bike events have a 75 minute time limit.
How long will it take me?
Typical times for most competitors at bush events are between 40 and 90 minutes but can vary greatly. An experience junior running a 1.5 km course could complete it in as little as 15 minutes while others walking around harder, longer courses can take over 2 hours. Urban series courses take around 25 to 60 minutes to complete. Street and BOSS events have time limits of 45 minutes & 75 minutes respectively.
How to Enter - Do I need to be a member?
Non-members are welcome and you can generally turn up and enter on the day, however, pre-entry is preferred. To pre-enter online as a non-member you need to register as a Casual Member (free) on Eventor - click here to see how. Many events have reduced entry fees for "first-timers" who have never tried orienteering before.
What are the fees?
Click here for current entry fees
What should I wear/bring?
Comfortable walking or running shoes with good grip are recommended. For bush events running gear such as a tee shirt and shorts is OK for Very Easy or Easy courses. Loose trousers, tights or shorts and long socks or gaiters are recommended for leg protection on Moderate or Hard courses that venture off the tracks. Normal running gear is fine for Street and Urban events. Bring your water bottle for hydrating before and after. In warmer weather you may want to carry water with you on your course. If you have a compass you can bring it but don't buy one without advice as there are models specifically for orienteering. For Street and BOSS mountain bike events you will need a smartphone loaded with the MapRun app. MTBO requires a bike in good order, helmet, water bottle and ideally a handle-bar mounted mapboard (available for hire).
Where do I buy a map?
Orienteering maps are very detailed and specifically made by and owned exclusively by the individual clubs. They are provided at events as part of your entry and cannot be obtained anywhere else (other than the online maps of our free Permanent Courses).
Is coaching available?
The club holds occasional training sessions throughout the year to assist people improve their navigation with map and compass and orienteering skills. At every event there will be experienced club members available and happy to provide help and advice, both before and after you undertake your course.
What isn't permitted?
Dogs, smoking and fires are prohibited from ALL parking, assembly and competition areas.
Are events cancelled due to bad weather?
Events would only be cancelled if there were bushfire or other extreme weather conditions or access issues.
Is the sport dangerous? Am I insured?
There are inherent dangers for anyone travelling in a natural environment, but bad injuries are rare. While the club has public indemnity insurance, it does not cover you for personal injury.
>Risk Notice: Competing in an orienteering event is subject to risks. These include death, serious injury or illness due to: rough terrain and obstacles; overexertion; heat, cold or other adverse weather conditions; plant and animal life; and accidents with vehicles, other competitors or pedestrians. There are also risks that access to medical, evacuation or search services might be slow; and of damage to, or loss of, your personal property.
What other orienteering events are there?
Once you gain a little bit of experience you may wish to travel to events further afield than the local area. On most weekends during the season there are events somewhere within NSW offering courses for all ages and abilities. A popular NSW State League competition has events roughly monthly and there are annual national and international events open to all competitors. More info here.
What are the Rules for Orienteering?
Orienteering NSW "Competitors Rules - Foot Orienteering" can be found here. Of particular note for all competitors are:
- You must report to the finish following completion or abandonment of your course. If you do not report to the finish the organisers will come looking for you!
- Fair play: Except in the case of an accident or being seriously lost, obtaining assistance from other runners or seeking to obtain assistance from other runners, or providing assistance to other competitors during a competition is forbidden (shadowing/coaching of juniors/beginners excepted). Competitors who are seriously lost (ie. they do not know how to find the finish) can ask for assistance from another competitor.
- It is the duty of all competitors to help injured runners. Injured competitors who need assistance should, if possible, blow a whistle or ‘cooee’ three times periodically.
- Restricted area & routes - competitors should be familar with the map symbols for out of bounds/do not enter and uncrossable features, including those specific to Sprint Orienteering maps.
- Pets must not be taken to events held on private land, in nature reserves/national parks or similar areas where they are prohibited, or as otherwise advised by the organisers. This includes bringing a pet and keeping it secured inside a vehicle or trailer.
Rules for Orienteers (from ONSW - opens in new window)
Format and Rules
(For a general overview of what orienteering is about click here).
• The courses will be line courses (point to point). Competitors must visit all controls (checkpoints) in the order specified by the course setter (competitors still have choice on how to approach and navigate between controls). SPORTident electronic timing will be used for all Urban events (SI stick hire will be available at all events).
• There will be two different length courses offered at each event. The Short course will be approximately 2 - 2.5 km in length while the Long course will be approximately 4 - 5 km in length (where possible). A non-competitive introductory Mini course around 1km will also be offerred.
• Start times for the events will be between 4:45pm and 6:15pm. Course closure will be 7pm. Please choose a start time to ensure you will finish by this time. (The organisers need to pick up controls after this).
• The UFO Series will consist of four (4) events. The first three (3) events will be qualifying events. A competitor’s best two (2) completed events (not including a mispunch or DNF) in the same course will be tallied to produce a qualifying score. On the basis of this score competitors will be placed into grades for the final (see Calculating the Grades*).
• Scores for each qualifying event will be calculated as a ranking. 100 points for the first place, 99 for second, 98 for third and so on. The ranking method will apply to both the Long and Short courses. If a competitor mispunches, does not finish (DNF) or is disqualified (DSQ) they will be allocated 1 point. (The mini course is not competitive and will not be ranked).
• In the Final event competitors will run in their allocated grade*. Results from this event will determine the overall placing in each grade. Competitors that do not qualifiy for the Finals will still be able to enter either course but will not be eligible for a prize.
• To encourage event organisers, course setters and vetters will be allocated an average score of their successfully completed events for the event where they were an official. Thus they will not be disadvantaged by the scoring system.
• Disqualification will be recorded in a competitor's result (at the discretion of the series co-ordinator) if they are observed or reported to have crossed an impassable/uncrossable feature (as shown in the sprint orienteering map symbols) or entered private property or other areas marked on the map as out of bounds.
• All competitors must report to the finish (so that search parties are not sent out!)
• Any queries should first go to the organiser for the day and then if necessary to the series organiser.
*Calculating the Grades
The grades for the Urban Foot Orienteering Series Final will be determined as follows:
• The grades for each course (i.e the Long course and the Short course) will be determined separately.
• After the conclusion of the qualifying rounds the competitors will be ranked according to their best two results. From these rankings the competitors will be put into grades.
Note: Competitors must have successfully completed at least two rounds on the same course to qualify.
• For each course the number of grades used will depend on the number of qualifiers as follows:
| Number of Qualifiers | Number of Grades |
| 0-19 | 1 |
| 20-35 | 2 |
| 36-51 | 3 |
| 52-64 |
4 |
| 65-80 | 5 |
| 81-96 | 6 |
• The numbers within each grade will be as even as possible with the excess going into the lower grades first.
For example if the long course has 43 qualifiers, then there will be 3 grades, A, B and C, with 14 in A grade, 14 in B grade and 15 in C grade. If the long course has 44 qualifiers then the numbers would be 14 in A grade, 15 in B grade and 15 in C grade. And so on.
Click here for a history of the Urban Series.