Athlete Profile

Q: What would you say is the most overlooked element of orienteering training and why?
A: The most overlooked part of orienteering training is learning to read and use control descriptions. Those tiny symbols are the things we all confidently pretend to understand… right up until we’re standing alone in the forest wondering why the control isn’t sitting politely in the middle of the circle like we expected. Control descriptions tell you exactly where to look and what you’re supposed to be finding—cliff, boulder, depression edge. Sometimes, I think they were invented by someone who wanted to test whether we can interpret microscopic symbols while out of breath. Once you get the hang of them, they turn from mysterious squiggles into your best friend, helping you find your way around the course.
Q: If you had one tip for young/beginning orienteers what would it be?
A: Every beginner orienteer should know that orienteering is a fun sport. Enjoy the time you get running on a sunny day. Savour the times when you see your friends on the course. And appreciate the time you get running through the forest, pretending you’re a highly trained outdoor adventurer instead of someone who occasionally mistakes a dry marsh for a wet one. And yes, there is a difference between a dry marsh and a wet marsh, one ruins your shoes and the other ruins your ankles. Mistakes happen, but each one provides a chance to learn.