CLARO – NEW MEMBERS BOOKLET

 

This booklet is designed to give you information about our club in particular and Orienteering in general.  If you are new to Orienteering all the information will be useful.  If you are already an experienced orienteer, you will find information that will introduce you to our club and Orienteering in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

 

The booklet includes:

 

  • How we are organised
  • A typical year in the life of the club
  • Where we orienteer
  • Recent Club Achievements
  • Yorkshire and Humberside regional information
  • General  information for members new to the sport
  • What to do at an Orienteering event

 

 

The Club

 

Claro is the orienteering club for North Yorkshire, West of Dere Street, across to the line of the River Wharfe. The main centres of membership are the spa town of Harrogate and the city of Ripon, along with the smaller towns of Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Pateley Bridge extending northwards to Swaledale and Wensleydale.

 

Formed in 1990, Claro is the youngest club in the north of England. The total membership is around XXX, (some members being more active than others). Ages range from 2 to over 60 and in experience we include recent beginners through to international athletes.

 

The club puts on a regular programme of open events as well as competing in those put on by neighbouring clubs and further afield. Other activities include regular Thursday evening running, social events, an annual league and schools development.

 

And just in case you were wondering....Claro is not, as is commonly supposed, an acronym, but the old wapentake name for this part of North Yorkshire. Wapentakes were the old Norse divisions for raising taxes and men at arms (similar to hundreds in southern counties). Claro Hill, the old gathering point, is immediately adjacent to the A1 just north of its junction with the A59 for Harrogate and York. The club's name is simply 'Claro', which must be one of the shortest names around for an orienteering club. Although not commonly recognised further afield, it is a familiar name in Harrogate and the surrounding area.

 

How we are organised

 

CLARO, like many clubs, is entirely dependant on volunteers to make the club run smoothly.  We have a committee that is responsible for the general running of the club.

 

The committee consists of 4 elected officers – the chairman, secretary, treasurer and fixtures secretary.  In addition there are three other elected general committee members.

 

The club also has a number of appointed officers.  These officers look after things like the newsletter, membership, club equipment, mapping, relay teams, training, juniors and many other roles.

 

All our events are put on by volunteers.  Typically we have three or four regional (Level C) events each year.  Each one of these requires a planner and an organiser.  In addition many club members are needed at such events to help with the site services, registration, SI, start and finish teams.

 

In the past few years we have also put on a number of local events, aimed at beginners and to try and attract more people into the sport.  These events have been based around Harrogate and Knaresborough on small urban areas.  These are much more informal and need less setting up – but of course each one requires someone to organise it, plan the courses and do all the setting up.

 

 
Typical year in the life of the Club

 

No two years are exactly the same as the timing of events, both locally and nationally, depends on land access, other events etc, but during a typical year these reflect the types of activities CLARO puts on as a club and the major national/ international events that a large number of CLARO orienteers go to. 

 

Of course during the year we go to many other events locally and nationally.

 

 

 

 

January / February

Claro Level C Event

The Compass Sport Trophy first round.

 

March

Claro Annual Dinner – in a restaurant in Harrogate or the surrounding area.  Includes the award of the Charles Lewsley Trophy.

 

April

The Jan Kjellstrom International Festival of Orienteering.  This lasts for 4 days over Easter weekend and is a popular way of spending the holiday with club orienteers.

 

May

The British Championships.  A chance to try your skills against the best in the sport in your age group.

 

June

Claro Club championships and picnic.  Scoring is usually a little “off beat” to give everyone a chance to win.

 

July / August

SOSO events

 

September

The Peter Palmer Junior relays – a national inter-club relay event for the younger members.

 

Claro Regional (Level C) event

 

October

The Claro AGM

 

November / December

Claro Regional (Level C) event

 

 

 

 

 

Where we Orienteer

 

Within our overall area we have a number of mapped areas, which can be grouped into the larger locations of Harrogate, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Washburn Valley.

 

Whilst not detailing every area the following gives a picture of the main areas that CLARO currently have mapped and which we use to put on our events :

 

 

Swinsty and Beecroft  - An area of woodland just on the west side of Swinsty and Fewston Reservoirs about 5 miles west of Harrogate. (SE 186538)

 

Timble Ings – An area of woodland on the west side of the unclassified road running from Otley to Blubberhouses, about 2 miles west of Swinsty reservoir. (SE 164529)

 

Askwith Moor – An area of open moorland, just south-east of Timble Ings. (SE 164529)

 

Brimham Rocks – The famous National Trust lands about 2 miles north of Summerbridge (B6165), between Pateley Bridge and Ripley.  The area includes the complex rock formations as well as open areas and woodland. (SE 208646)

 

Guisecliff Wood – On the valley side about 2 miles south of Pateley Bridge.  The area has a complex area of boulders and rocks, some open areas and some woodland areas. A highly technical area. (SE 167636)

 

Ellington Banks – 2 miles north-west  of Ripon, a wooded area with a complex set of footpaths. (SE 275732)

 

Nutwith and Roomer – A very runnable wooded area, about 1 mile north of Grewelthorpe. (SE 225785)

 

Angram – Open moorland by Scar House Reservoir at the top of the Nidd Valley. (SE 044764)

 

Lindley Moor – Fairly dense woodland and a better Western area with some complex rock formation. Situated about 4 miles West of Harrogate, just off the B6451. (SE 225505)

 

Harlow Hill – The Pine woods plantation and Birk Crag woods on the western edge of Harrogate, just off Otley Road. (B6162)

 

 

The following areas are too small for open events and we use them for smaller CLARO only family and training events :

 

 

Plumpton Rocks – An interesting wood land area surrounding a lake, with some good rock formations.  About 1 mile out of Harrogate on the Wetherby Road A661. (SE 356537)

 

Conyngham Hall – A small area of woods surrounding the River Nidd, where the A59 crosses the river at Knaresborough. (SE 345572)

 

Hell Wath – Open, rough open and clumps of woodland, on the banks of the river Skell about 1 mile south-west of Ripon. (SE 299699)

 

Laver Banks -  Rough open, with scattered woodland on the banks of the river Laver, about 1 mile west of Ripon off the B6265.  (SE 292715)

 

Scott Gate Quarries – A set of disused quarry workings, high on the hillside just outside Pateley Bridge on the north side of the town. (SE 161665)

 

 

In addition we also put on Street events, having maps for

 

Ripon City Centre, Knaresborough Town Centre and  West Park Stray & Valley Gardens, Killinghall Moor, Bilton all  in Harrogate.

 

Yorkshire & Humberside regional information

 

Claro is a member of the Yorkshire and Humberside Orienteering Association, which is the body representing the sport in our region.  The association consists of 6 open clubs and 2 closed (university) clubs.  The other open clubs are :

 

AIRIENTEERS            - which covers the Leeds, Bradford and Craven district.

 

EBORIENTEERS – which covers from Selby in the South, through York and along the Southern fringe of the North Yorkshire Moors, covering Thirsk, Pickering and Scarborough i.e. North Yorkshire east of Dere Street.

 

East Pennines Orienteering Club (EPOC)- which covers the East Pennines (Wakefield, Huddersfield and Halifax).

 

Humberside And Lincolnshire Orienteers (HALO) - which covers Humberside and Lincolnshire, from Bridlington in the North through Hull, Scunthorpe and Grimsby.

 

South Yorkshire Orienteers (SYO) - which covers South Yorkshire including Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield.

 

The closed clubs are Sheffield University (ShUOC) and Leeds University (LUOC).

 

Together the clubs of the YHOA put on a wide variety of Orienteering events over the whole year.  The basic staple of the region are the Regional (Level C) events.  Score events, relays and even National events are also a feature of the annual programme.

 

Each year the YHOA championships are held as part of a normal Regional event with awards in all age classes.

 

The association also runs a YHOA night league with each club putting on one night Orienteering event during the winter months.

 

A regional junior squad is supported, with the aim of providing a progressive coaching programme for those youngsters who are M/W14 and above and who are regularly achieving ‘gold’ standard at Badge events.

 

Most of the events put on by the clubs of YHOA are within one hour’s drive from Harrogate. For many CLARO club orienteers these represent the huge majority of events which they attend, only travelling further for special occasions and to represent the club.  The YHOA programme usually means that within the main orienteering season (September to May) a keen orienteer can usually find an event within reach on most weekends.

 

A further advantage for CLARO members is that the Cleveland Orienteering Club (CLOK) which is in the North East Association (NEOA) puts on a number of events on the North part of the North Yorkshire Moors.  These events are also within fairly easy reach of most CLARO members, so extending the choice of events.

 

 

Club Achievements

 

In the past we have done reasonably well (given our size) and we have had some very talented individual orienteers.  This was especially the case in 1998 when a number of elite orienteers were living in the area and joined the club.

 

Of course many others have achieved individual goals and the club aims to help everyone achieve their individual potential at whatever level it may be.

 

 

We have been successful in the Compass Sport Trophy event

1993        2nd,  1997 Winners,  1998 Winners

 

We have had JK winners – 1998  Harry Dowdell M40L, Dave Harrington M40S

 

YHOA Championships           

Liz Day W18, Karin Wimmer W20, Richard Hensman M18, David Day M50

 

Great Britain Senior team –    Siggy Gould selected

 

Scandinavian BOF tour for GB Under 20s     -           Liz Day.

 

GB team for World Junior Championships   

            Jaimie Doe, Rob Baker

 

British Team for World Student Championships      

            Janine Hensman, Jaimie Doe

 

Veteran Home Internationals 

            Andrew Kelly,  Harry Dowdell

 

British Age Class Championships

            Karin Wimmer W20L,

            Andre Leumann M20L

 

 

Future Champions Cup          Rob Baker Men’s champion

 

1999    Harvester Relays 5th

                        BOC – M21L Jason Inman, M10B Robert Kelly

 

2000    Liz Day – Future Champions Cup 4th.

                        Liz Day – Selected for British team for World Junior                         Championships                      

 

2001    BOC   M21S – Jason Inman

                        Nicholas Morgan – BOF award for best Junior                                  performance

 
General Information for members new to the sport

 

Like most sports or activities, Orienteering has its own set of ‘buzz’ words or jargon.  This can often make it difficult for a beginner to understand what experienced orienteers are talking about (you may even wonder if they’re on the same planet as you). The following glossary is intended to shed a bit of light on these terms – it only deals with the wider aspects of the orienteering world, rather than the many terms concerned with the technical side of the sport.  For these you’ll need to consult one of the books recommended at the bottom of this leaflet – or ask any club member.

 

Kites                            Control kites – The shaped markers that hang at and thereby identify the location of a control. Made of red and white triangular pieces of material supported on a cane – identification number marked on them.

 

Description sheet        The sheet that tells you the ‘control number’ that you will find at each of your controls and the description of the feature (e.g. ditch end, depression).

 

Pictorial description    At major events, the description sheet uses pictorial symbols to describe each feature, rather than a textual description.  These are internationally defined and standardised.  With computer based control planning, most events use these description for all but the junior courses.  The meanings of the descriptions can be found on the BOF web site

 

EPS                             Electronic Punching System.  Orienteering with Technology. Electronic punching has been gradually introduced since 2000 and all YHOA regional events and national events now use the system. There are two systems available – Sportident & Emit.

 

SportIdent (SI)            The main electronic punching system used in the UK.  The system consists of a box which is placed at each control point and an individual ‘dibber’ that the orienteer carries around.  At the control point the dibber is inserted into the hole in the box and this is recorded electronically on the dibber.  After finishing the “contents” of the dibber can be ‘downloaded’ to a computer.  The software checks that the correct controls have been visited and in the correct order and the competitor is presented with a set of split times.

 

Emit                            An alternative electronic punching system. It is more popular on the continent.  Used for international events.

 

BOF                            British Orienteering Federation – The governing body of the sport, based in offices in Matlock, Derbyshire.

 

YHOA                          Yorkshire and Humberside Orienteering Association.  Regional governing body.

 

 

Level C event              The standard Sunday orienteering event.  Usually 7 courses are provided ranging from White (very easy and short) to Brown (technically very hard and long). These are events where you can just turn up, pay and run a course.

 

Level B event              A series of ‘top quality’ major orienteering events held each year throughout the country.  These events are held on the most technically challenging terrain.

 

 

Championship event  The sports premier events. The British Orienteering Championships and the JK weekend comprise these events.

 

M/Wxx L/S                  Courses at can also be identified by the competitors age group.

 

(Age Class)                M stands for Men, W for Women, L for Long, S for Short. The xx is then the age group.  These are 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 for Juniors, 21 for competitors age 21 through 34. The groups then go up in 5 year spans. e.g. M40 will have male competitors age range 40 to 44. Note that you enter the age range at the start of the year that you attain that age.

 

POC                           Permanent Orienteering Course. A course where the kites (usually wooden posts) are left at control points permanently.  Usually in public access areas.

 

BOC/BEOC                British Orienteering Championships / British Elite Orienteering Championships.  These are the annual championships for the whole of GB.  Each age class is run.  The Elite championships are now a separate event for those at the pinnacle of the sport.

 

The ‘JK’                       The Jan Kjellstrom International Festival of Orienteering.  This is the main ‘social’ orienteering event of the year. It is named after the young Swedish Orienteer who made a great contribution in establishing orienteering in the UK and who was tragically killed in a car accident.  It is held over the Easter Bank Holiday, in a different region every year. Good Friday is the ‘training’ day, Saturday and Sunday see individual events and Monday is when the relay events are held.

 

The ‘Harvester’           National inter-club relay competition, held annually. The first legs start very early in the morning.

Peter Palmer

relays                          A national inter-club relay competition for Juniors. Takes place at the end of September.  The first couple of ‘legs’ are in the dark!

 

Yvette Baker

Trophy                        A national competition for Juniors.  Regional heats are used to select a club from each region.  This is based on teams of 7, but everyone who runs can count.

 

Compass Sport          The national magazine devoted to Orienteering.  Six issues every year to keep you informed of all that’s happening and all that’s new in the orienteering world, both nationally and internationally.  Also contains listings of events throughout the country.

 

Compass Sport

Cup                             Inter-club competition. Every member of the club can take part in this competition.  The course you run is determined by your age group, with a total of 8 different ‘teams’ making up the full complement.  Your position within that team then counts towards the club score.  The club with the best combined score wins.

 

Compasspoint/

Ultrasport                    The two main suppliers of Orienteering equipment.  They often turn up at Level B events with mobile shops.

 

Wilf’s                           Mobile Vegetarian catering company.  Attends all the major national events and a very popular and welcome source of nourishment.  Good value for money.

 

The Clarion                 The regular newsletter of CLARO.  Giving information on all forthcoming events and news of what’s happened, especially involving club members.

 

 

The above only touches the surface - to become familiar with the sport you may wish to subscribe to Compass Sport magazine (contact CLARO secretary for details), or obtain one of the excellent books on orienteering which will give lots of information orienteering techniques.

 

If you do want a good book to introduce you to the sport the following are recommended :

 

Carol McNeil                - Orienteering skills of the game  (The best introductory book).

Gareth Bryan-Jones    - Orienteering Techniques

Peter Palmer               - Orienteering Pathways to excellence.

Editor Peter Palmer    - The complete Orienteering Manual

 

 

CLARO also has a small club library.

Lots of other books and information are available from BOF.

 
 
What to do at an Orienteering event

 

If you’re a newcomer to the sport the following brief notes attempt to guide you through the ‘formalities’ that you need to do at an event.  After a couple of trys it all becomes second nature and with many of the items you can adapt them to suit your own preferences.

 

 

Clothing – Orienteers must wear full body cover (to prevent the risk of infection from scratches), although short sleeves are allowed. Usually trackster/ track suit bottoms, long sleeved T shirt/ sweatshirt and trainers are adequate to start with.  Take note at events of the clothing that more experienced competitors wear.  E.g. studded orienteering shoes, thermal tops and nylon ‘O’suits.  Cagoules may be required if the weather is bad.

 

Equipment – the following is useful for starters. As you become more accomplished you can adapt to what suits you best.  Again notice what other experienced orienteers use.

 

Polythene map

Bag                              - to protect map from rain/ mud. Available from orienteer traders

 

Whistle                        - recommended for safety (compulsory at some events)

Compass                    - to help you navigate

 

Safety pins                  - to attach descriptions to  your clothing

Wristband                   - for the control descriptions

 

Other useful equipment can be a  watch, scissors, head band.

 

 

Registration – You first need to pay and buy a map.  This is usually about £5.00 for a Senior, £2.00 for a Junior.  You then need to select a course suited to your ability.  Don’t be fooled at first, especially if you are a competent runner – courses take much longer than just running an equivalent distance. White and Yellow are good for children, Orange/Red for novice adults.  It’s better to have a easy first run, than over-stretch yourself and be put off. 

 

Dibber hire – If you don’t have your own dibber (unlikely if you’re just starting) then these canbe hired at registrationfor a small fee (0.50p or £1.00)

 

Control Descriptions – These are given in order.  Next to each sequential number, which indicates the order you must go to the controls, there will be an identifying number which you will also find on the control kite at the control site.  A description of the feature where the control kite is situated (e.g. boulder, pit, stream bend) is also given.  Many orienteers cover the descriptions with transparent film or a bag and pin onto a wrist band.  They are then easy to see and don’t get lost.

 

 

Map – check the scale usually 1:10000 or 1:15000. Use a polythene map bag to protect, if the map isn’t waterproof (many are nowadays)

 

Start – you queue and go through a box system till you start.

 

Setting off – Make sure that you orientate your map.

 

Controls – Each control site is identified by a red and white triangular marker.  Check the identification number on it is correct.  Dib your Dibber.

 

Finish – This is usually marked by red and white tape for the last 50 metres. 

 

Download – You must ‘download’ your dibber to record your run.  You will get a printout of the timing for each control and your overall time.  Downloading is also essential to record your safe return.

 

Results - Clubs put results on the Internet now, so if you have access you can get your results that way.

 

 

 

 

We hope this booklet has been interesting and of use.  All you have to do now is to go out and do some orienteering –  whatever you do and at whatever level, enjoy yourself !