Competition information

There are a variety of competitions types in Canadian orienteering. The lovely thing about the sport is that all ages and levels are welcome at almost all orienteering events.

There are different levels of orienteering events in Canada:

• C events are training events, relatively informal in terms of how and when people start and the competition is organized.
• C events usually have a small number of levels (we call them courses) available. There are often 3 courses: a beginner, intermediate and advanced course. Sometimes there will be two advanced courses: advanced - short and advanced - long.
• Most events in Canada are C events.
• A C event is organized by officials with (or in the process of obtaining) their O100 certification.

• B events are more formal than C events. There are usually distinct age classes and a more formal start procedure. These events will definitely be timed.
• A B event is organized by officials with (or in the process of obtaining) their O200 certification.

• Canada Cups are also known as A events.
• Canada Cup races have the full suite of age classes (see the course & class guidelines below) and assigned start times, a formal start procedure, etc.
• Championship events such as the Canadian and North American Championships will be Canada Cup level events by default. Provincial championships and other larger events are often Canada Cup events but aren't required to be.
• For clubs wishing to host a Canada Cup event, the Canada Cup sanctioning request form (see below) needs to be filled out and submitted.
• A Canada Cup event is organized by officials with (or in the process of obtaining) their O300 certification - with the appropriate module - with the appropriate module (control planner, event directing or controlling).

There is additional level of competition in Canada - a World Ranking Event (WRE). This type of race is sanctioned by the International Orienteering Federation and is specific to the elite ages classes. WREs allow athletes in the elite classes to collect world ranking points which contribute to an individuals' world ranking. See below for the sanctioning form. Additional information about organizing a WRE is available on the IOF site.

• A World Ranking Event is organized by officials with (or in the process of obtaining) their O300 certification - with the appropriate module (control planner, event directing or controlling) and the event is overseen by an approved World Ranking Event Advisor.

Orienteering Canada Support to World Ranking Events in Canada
Orienteering Canada will pay the IOF WRE fees, and will provide $200 to the local Canadian organizing committee for each World Ranking event organized in Canada, to assist with expenses related to the WRE Advisor.