Annual orienteering clinic helps to teach basics in the sport
Photo by Whitehorse Star
Sixteen participants took part in the annual Learn to O clinic, which was held on Saturday at F.H. Collins Secondary School.
The goal of the clinic was to teach basic skills and strategies that will assist newcomers when taking part in the sport.
Among the individuals who took part this year was a couple from Skagway, AK which was a historic milestone for the clinic as it was the first time anyone from the United States has been involved.
There is no fixed limit to the amount of people who can participate in the clinic, but the numbers are dictated by the amount of instructors who are available to teach.
This year’s clinic featured three instructors in total.
The clinic began in the morning with a short video, which gave participants a little bit of a sense of what the sport involves.
After the video, everyone was divided into smaller groups to go through a practice run, using the waterfront map, which includes the trails between F.H. Collins.
The purpose of the practice run was mostly to familiarize new comers to the sport regarding aspects such as the map, specific symbols and what they should be looking for.
It was also to provide them with a idea of what images on the map look like out on the trails.
After the practice run was over, individuals signed up for the clinic were taught how to copy down a course that was already prepared.
Other skills that were taught during the course of the day were how to read compass bearings and how to successfully get from point A to B on the map.
The clinic ended with participants going off on their own or in pairs, using the long lake southeast map, which is a little more difficult because it is in the forest.
“I was really impressed actually,” said Barbara Scheck, president of the Yukon Orienteering Association. “It was a wonderful group of people and I am hoping we will see lots of them coming out to the regular meets.
They all said they learned so much, so that is a sign of success.”