Our History

  • 1967 - 1st Kingston Orienteering Championships
  • 1969 - Blue course at the Canadian Orienteering Championships
  • 1967 - 1st Ontario Championships in Guelph

Our History

1967

  • Canadian Orienteering Federation (COF) founded and incorporated on December 1, 1967.
  • The Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec associations were the founding members of COF.
  • Chris Skene (Montreal), elected president of the federation.
  • The Waterloo Wanderers orienteering club was formed.

1968

  • 1st Canadian Championships, Gatineau Park, August 10, 1968
  • COF becomes member of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF)

1970

  • Bob Kaill is the first Canadian to compete at the World Orienteering Championships.

1971

  • Newfoundland Orienteering Association joins COF

1972

  • Canadian team competes in World O Championships
  • Manitoba Orienteering Association joins COF

1974

  • Alberta Orienteering Association joins COF
  • Orienteering Association of British Columbia joins COF

1975

  • Orienteering New Brunswick joins COF
  • COF establishes an office in the National Sport Centre, Ottawa.

1976

  • Orientering Quebec organizes the first 5-Day International competition outside Europe. Over 900 competitors participate.

1985

  • Ted de St Croix, 10th, in WOC (Australia). Best ever placing by a non-European competitor.

1986

  • Ted de St Croix wins 11th consecutive COC Men’s Elite. A record number of wins by a Canadian in any sport.
  • Hamilton King Foresters OC organize World Cup event at Dundas Valley. Denise Demonte (HKF), places 4th – Best ever North American World Cup result.

1990

  • Orienteering Association of British Columbia organize Asia Pacific Orienteering Championships.
  • Alberta O Association organize World Cup race at Caroline.

1992

  • Ontario Association organize World Cup race at Ganaraska Forest, Newcastle.

2000

  • Orienteering Association New Brunswick (ONB) organize two World Ranking Events in conjunction with Canadian Championships. These events, held at Rockwood Park, Saint John, and Fundy National Park were the first World Ranking Events organized in Canada.

2002

  • The Alberta Orienteering Association hosts the Asia Pacific Orienteering Championships

2005

  • The Alberta Orienteering Association hosts the World Masters Orienteering Championships
  • Sandy Hott Johansen finishes 9th in the middle distance at the World Orienteering Championships. Was the best ever result by a non-European female to that date. Is the best ever result by a North American.

2006

  • The Saskatchewan Orienteering Association joins the COF.

2007

  • The Canadian Orienteering Championships are held in Saskatchewan for the first time.
  • National team veteran, Pam James retires from elite orienteering after the World Orienteering Championships

2008

  • The Canadian Orienteering Ski-Orienteering Championships are held in Kamloops, BC

2009

  • Manitoba hosts the 2009 Canadian Orienteering Championships

2010

  • A new COF web site is launched in April.
  • The Ski-O championships are organized by the Stars Orienteering Club in Ontario.
  • Canada hosts the North American Championships in Cranbrook, BC. These are officially sanctioned IOF regional championships.
  • The Ottawa Orienteering Club hosts the Canadian Orienteering Championships

2011

  • Whitehorse hosts the Canadian Orienteering Championships

2012

  • Alberta hosts the Canadian Orienteering Championships
  • The Canadian Orienteering Federation officially changes its name to Orienteering Canada
  • Ottawa’s Emily Kemp wins a bronze medal in the long distance at the Junior World Orienteering Championships. Canada becomes the second non-European country to win a medal at the World or Junior World Orienteering Championships.
  • Long-time Canadian Orienteering Federation Executive Director, Colin Kirk, dies.

2016

  • Ottawa's Emily Kemp finishes 4th in the middle distance, only 15 seconds from a medal, and 8th at the long distance, at the World Championships in Strömstad, Sweden.

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