Juniors

Swansea Bay Junior Squad

The Swansea Bay Junior Squad is the junior section of Swansea Bay Orienteering Club. The squad was formed in January 2023 and has members ranging in age from 6 to 20 years. The aims of the junior squad are to have fun in the great outdoors and to be successful in the competitions and races they enter. If you are new to the sport of orienteering take a look at our

What is Orienteering? page where you'll find loads of handy tips to get you started.

The Junior Squad meets for training on a regular basis and competes as a team in national events. Swansea Bay OC organise events most weekends and have activities on Wednesday evenings. We always welcome new members and more information about the club and how to join can be found here - Membership

Coaching

We currently aim to run monthly coaching sessions which are aimed at juniors of all abilities. If you are brand new to orienteering then these sessions can be a great way to get started and meet other juniors and parents. We also provide excellent coaching for juniors and adults looking to improve their skills on any level of course. There will be two types of Coaching session available. Both will start at 10am and one will be on a Saturday where we will train for 2hrs and go over a range of skills. The other will be on a Sunday and will precede a club orienteering race, so you can test out your new skills on a course. This training aims to be finished by 11am and starts are kept open a little later for those attending coaching. There’s no additional fee to pay on top of the main event, and as always our friendly bunch of coaches will have plenty of tips and techniques to pass on. Please let us know if you would like to attend.

We will never let a junior head out on their own if we feel they are not ready to do so. Parents are welcome to come along to training and we will ask them to shadow inexperienced juniors, who are just starting to run courses on their own but who may still need a bit of reassurance - we are happy to offer this to newer adult members too if they would like.

Skills

To enjoy orienteering you only need to be able to recognise a few map symbols and be able to orientate the map to north. This will allow you to get around a Yellow standard course. The real fun of orienteering begins when you start to tackle the more challenging courses of Orange, Green and Blue. To be successful on these courses you will need to practice some of the following skills.

• Folding the map

Top orienteers keep the map folded neatly at all times. The technique involves leaving just enough map showing to be able to navigate to the next two or three controls. This makes the map easier to handle and reduces the risk of losing where you are on the page.

• Keeping the map orientated to North

Maps make the most sense when they are orientated to north. Everything on the map will then correspond to what you can see in the terrain and make navigation straightforward. Move your body around the map until the north line on the map lines up with the compass needle.

• Compass on the map

Thumb compasses are designed to be held flat and on the map all of the time. The straight edge of the compass should be pointing in the direction of the planned travel.

• Control Descriptions

Control descriptions describe the feature on which the control has been placed. Knowing how control descriptions work and what each symbol means, will improve your orienteering performance significantly. If you only use the map and try and guess the feature, there is the risk of a time-consuming mistake. This is especially true when the control circle is crowded with features or it is difficult to differentiate between say a spur and a re-entrant.

• Pacing

Pacing allows you to run confidently without having to worry about overshooting the control. Orienteers count 'double steps' which means you only count when your right (or left) foot hits the ground. You can work out what the right pacing is for you by measuring 100m in a straightish line and running it, counting your paces at the same time. Whatever the total is will be your approx. pacing stride. For every cm on an orienteering map, you will then run that number of paces. eg: if your pacing is 40 then on a 1:10,000 map = 40 double paces; 1:7,500 map = 30 double paces; 1:5,000 map = 20 double paces; and 1:4,000 map = 16 double paces.

• The CAR method (Control Description, Attackpoint, Route Choice)

The Junior Squad uses the CAR method for each leg of the orienteering course. It’s a repeatable process that will work well for any type of terrain and any type of leg.

• Step 1. Control description – Find out what feature you are looking for from the control description and then check what’s in the circle. This will help create a mental image that will be useful when you approach the control. Some features will be easy to find (e.g. a gully) and some will need extra care (e.g. a pit in vegetation).
• Step 2. Look at the map for an "attackpoint" – This is an easy to find feature that is close to the control. It might be a path junction or a fence corner. It needs to be a specific point on the map where you can take a bearing and pace carefully into the control.
• Step 3. Consider the best route – planners will often aim to offer several potential routes between controls. Work backwards from the attackpoint, and identify the best route to the attack point.

Equipment

You can successfully orienteer with just a map, but there are some really useful pieces of equipment that may improve your orienteering experience.

• Thumb Compass

Most orienteers train and compete with a thumb compass. Usually, Right-handed orienteers use a thumb compass on their left thumb. Left-handed orienteers use a right-thumb compass. More expensive models are used by elite competitors because they settle faster and are more stable when running. We can loan you a compass at training and events.

• Gaitors

These are shinpads for orienteers. They protect your legs and clothing from the forest undergrowth. An alternative is thick orienteering socks which serve a similar purpose.

• A Dibber SPORTident Card (SI card or 'dibber') You can hire SI cards at all orienteering events, but if you'd like your own dibber they can be bought direct from SPORTident. The cheaper SI Card 8 is perfect for all levels of competition. More expensive models, like the SiAC or AIR dibber (pictured) are faster, offering contactless ‘punching’, a flash and a beep at each control.

• Whistle A whistle is required for most major races as a way of getting help in an emergency. It's good practice to always carry one. The signal is six short blasts to summon help. We can loan you a whistle for an event.
• Control Description Holder

A control description holder is worn on the forearm and holds your control description sheet. This sheet contains information about the controls that will be visited on your course. They are printed on the map, but most orienteers prefer to use the CD holder to avoid constant refolding of the map mid-race.

• GPS Watch Many orienteers wear a GPS watch to record their run and use for data analysis after the race. A popular model is the Garmin Forerunner. Upload your run to Routegadget to see which way you actually went at that path junction and how you fared against other competitors on your course!
• Where can I buy this kit? Most orienteering equipment can be bought online at Decathlon and specialist shops like CompassPoint or visit their stands at larger events to try things on and see which compass you like best.

Squad Kit

For events and coaching you will need suitable clothes and shoes for running in forests or towns. Full leg cover will be required in the woods and remember to bring extra layers for coaching - the sessions are slower paced than competition running. For club competitions the official Junior Squad strip comprises: squad orienteering top, black running trousers and black gaiters or long O’socks. In cold weather a black long-sleeved top should be worn under the squad top.

• Squad O-Top Juniors who have joined Swansea Bay and have completed more than 3 Swansea Bay events can get a free Swansea Bay Orienteering Club Junior Squad top to wear with pride at events. The tops remain the property of Swansea Bay OC and are exchanged for larger sizes as you grow.
• O-Shoes Orienteers wear a variety of shoes, depending on the terrain:
1. Trail shoes - specialist running shoes with serious grip! Lots of rubber studs stop you from sliding around in the mud. They range in price from £30-£150 and can be found in places like SportsShoes (BO members get a discount) as well as from orienteering shops, CompassPoint. Inov8 are a popular brand.
2. Metal studded shoes (dobs) - unique to orienteering with dozens of small metal studs embedded in the tread of the shoe. These tend to cost £60-£120 and have excellent grip.
3. Trainers - perfect for urban and sprint competitions as well as the summer park series. Try tying your laces using the heel-lock method to avoid the risk of blisters or losing your shoes in the mud. Very handy!

The junior squad has a box of second hand kit and it's worth having a look to see if there's anything in your size. A donation of £5 is requested per item, and remember if you grow out of something put it back into the box and see if there is another item in the next size up.

Awards

Badges, certificates, medals and trophies are awarded throughout the year for club and regional competitions and major events like the British Championships.

• WOA Seren Awards: This is a great way for juniors M/W10-M/W20 to keep track of how they're progressing as an orienteer. The Seren Awards are a personal performance award scheme aimed at encouraging and recognising skills development. The scheme has 6 levels which will develop orienteering skills in a structured and progressive format.

1. How do I achieve a Seren Award? By learning orienteering skills and developing your abilities, taking part in events, activities and training sessions.
2. How will my progress be monitored? Each time you attend an event, activity or training session you will learn a new skill or be able to practice a new skill. An official at the event will be able to sign your book to say you have mastered a particular skill and when you have had each section signed off, the club will issue you with the award you have achieved.
3. Participation Badges. We like to encourage members to take part, and we have a badge scheme to award juniors when they complete a number of orienteering courses. There are badges for 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 courses completed. Keep a record on the progress tracker in this pack, and request a free badge from a club official when you have completed the number of events needed.
• Welsh League:

An annual league, with events held across Wales. There are different age categories and you score points at each Welsh League event that you run. A handicap system based on age-class and course-class/colour is used to work out how many points you get at each event. The best 5 scores will count (this may vary depending on the number of eligible events).

• Swansea Bay Club Championships:

Each year we hold a Club Championships. There are 3 age categories M/W Junior, M/W Senior and M/W Veteran. You run a specific course for your age class – though you can run a more difficult course if you would like, and we use the BOF speed ratio handicap with the length of course taken into account to work out the results.

• Swansea Bay Club Leagues:

There are 2 annual Swansea Bay leagues where medals and trophies are awarded – the Summer and Winter League. Like the Welsh League you gain points for each event you run and a handicap system is used to work out how many points you get at each event. The best 10 scores will count (this may vary depending on the number of eligible events).

• Swansea Bay Club Annual Awards:

A variety of club trophies are presented annually, these include Best Junior, Most Improved Orienteer, Chair's Aard, Spirit of the Sport, and the coveted Silver Shoe!

• Medals and Major Event Trophies:

These are awarded at National Championships as well as Major competitions such as the JK, Lakes 5 Days, Croeso and Scottish 6 Days.

Safety

Safety is the junior squad's number one priority and this will be true at all events whether large or small. Swansea Bay Orienteering Club is committed to ensuring that all young people and vulnerable adults who participate in orienteering have a positive experience in as safe an environment as possible. The Club has adopted the British Orienteering Policy on Protecting Young and Vulnerable People and is Clubmark accredited. Orienteering is an adventure sport and your safety while orienteering is your own responsibility. Parents are responsible for their children at all events, and advice is available on request about what courses may be suitable for their children to participate in. For more detailed information see our club safety policy and the British Orienteering safeguarding guide O–Safe - A Guide to Safeguarding the Welfare of Children & Vulnerable Adults in Orienteering.

Contacts

• Niall Reynolds – Club Chair & Safety Officer, Swansea Bay Orienteering Club
• Margaret Reynolds - Child Protection and Welfare Officer, Swansea Bay Orienteering Club
• Kerina Lake - Junior Team Manager, Swansea Bay Orienteering Club
• Steve Quinton - Club Coach, Swansea Bay Orienteering Club

Is your child ready to run unaccompanied?

This is a set of suggestions from parents of our current juniors of topics it is helpful to discuss with your child before they run unaccompanied. It is by no means exhaustive but we hope you will find it helpful. Yellow maps are always picked up in advance of the start and can be talked through. At local events, it is fine to ask to see any other map in advance if, for example, you need to talk it through with your child as they move up from yellow to orange or orange to light green.

• Where am I going?
• Can your child use their compass to put the map the right way round?
• Can they talk you through the course, telling you what they will see on the way?
• Where will they meet you afterwards?
• Potential hazards on the way.
• Can your child point out to you:
1. any specific hazards shown on the map? (check that they can recognise the appropriate symbols - roads, cliffs, water, etc)
2. any areas marked out of bounds?
3. any compulsory crossing points?
4. any boundary where there might be a danger of ending up off-map?
• Is your child aware of any specific safety information from the final details or from the details provided at the start?
• Is your child aware of how to behave when they meet other forest users (stranger danger), dogs, horses, mountain bikes, etc? If things go wrong.
• Have you agreed how long it is reasonable to spend on the chosen course? At what point will they return regardless? Do they know the course closing time? Are they wearing a watch?
• Have you talked through the safety bearing so they would know what to do if they were completely lost? (or their map blew away, or whatever)
• Is your child carrying a whistle and do they know how to use it to summon help?
• Is it appropriate to run with a mobile phone whilst they are 'just moving up'? Many children do - and for some events we strongly recommend it - though obviously not all forest areas have suitable reception.

Links & Videos

There are loads of videos, books and articles out there to inspire and inform newcomers, juniors and seasoned orienteers.

• Orienteering: Skills, Techniques & Training - excellent book to get started.
• How to start orienteering and learn to love it - written by a newcomer for newcomers.
• 10 reasons why orienteering is the best sport ever - says it all!
• CompassSport Magazine - national publication full of great articles and top tips.

Videos

• Getting started – Get Out and Go Orienteering Here
• Getting Going - Get Out and Go Orienteering Here
• Getting confident - Get Out and Go Orienteering Here
• Getting Faster - Get Out and Go Orienteering Here
• Start Orienteering – A newcomers Guide (Graham Gristwood)
• Route Choice - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Intricate Contours - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Large Contour Features - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Aiming Off - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Attack Points - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Setting the Map - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Simplification - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering
• Using the Compass - Think Fast, Run Hard, Go Orienteering