"SOC Coaching report
Yesterday, a hardy bunch of SOC orienteers, of mixed abilities, headed into the New Forest for some training and coaching. It was a lovely sunny winters morning, perfect for some orienteering (bar the cold and wet feet!). 10 orienteers, 2 coaches and 2 dogs practised their orienteering skills and techniques.
After warming up, we counted our paces over 100m on the flat and compared it to an uphill and downhill 100m. Then Kevin reminded us of different orienteering techniques, using handrails to simplify our routes and how and when to use our compass. We then had the chance to practise these techniques on loops around the forest.
There are many orienteering techniques and tools and it's important to be aware of them, know your strengths, and also know when to use them and combine them in different scenarios. Saturday was a great chance to practise some of them in the mud and sun!
Hopefully there will be more coaching in the new year. If you want to improve, progress to harder courses, stop making the same mistakes or just want to get out orienteering then you should definitely go!
Thank you very much Kevin and Colin for putting on and running the session. We all gained something from the session"
Robert Finch