Orienteering/Videos/Arriving

The Presenter opens up the boot of her car and pulls out a pair of trail running shoes. She is already wearing shorts (or track pants) and a sporty t-shirt and/or jacket. Sitting on the edge of the boot, she proceeds to take off her casual shoes and pull on the trail running shoes.

PRESENTER (to camera)

I’m here at my very first orienteering event. I’ve got my map, my compass, my control description, my timing chip and the special control card which I’ll need to take on my orienteering course today.

Close-up of map, compass and card in a pile next to the presenter.

PRESENTER (to camera)

In an orienteering race, the aim is to get through the checkpoints – called ‘controls’ – as quickly as possible. And for a lot of people, that means running. I’m not sure how much running I’ll be doing today - that will depend on just how difficult my course is.

CUT TO the presenter chatting to an official (novice instructor) at the registration table [perhaps with a ‘Need help? Ask me’ or ‘Helper’ sticker or t-shirt].

PRESENTER

So just how hard are these courses?

INSTRUCTOR (ad-lib along the lines of…)

Well, the ones with the lowest numbers are very tricky, and they’re usually the longest too. As you go down through the numbers, the courses get shorter but not necessarily easier. At every competition there are also courses with moderate navigation for people with some experience and courses with very easy navigation for beginners.

PRESENTER

So what course would you suggest that I do?

INSTRUCTOR

I’d suggest you do the easy navigation. Course 8 [or whatever].

The Instructor hands over the correct registration card.

PRESENTER

How far is that?

INSTRUCTOR

About two kilometers.

PRESENTER

And how long will that take me?

INSTRUCTOR

(laughs)

We’ll just have to wait and see.

PRESENTER

So I just fill in this card now?

INSTRUCTOR

That’s right. Put your name here, course here…[etc.]

The Presenter leans on the table and starts filling in the details. Close up of registration card, filling in the correct course no. etc. The Presenter looks up as She gets to the ‘Car Registration’ part.

PRESENTER (V/O)

Car registration? Is that in case I get a parking ticket?

INSTRUCTOR (ad lib…)

No, it’s so we can see if you’re still here at the end of the day. Sometimes people forget to hand in their control card after they’ve finished their course, and we need to know if we should send out a search party.

PRESENTER

That sounds a bit ominous. Should I take my GPS?

INSTRUCTOR

Actually, that’s not allowed.

PRESENTER

No GPS?

INSTRUCTOR

Not a GPS that gives you your position, no. Just your map and your compass.

PRESENTER

And my superior sense of direction.

INSTRUCTOR

(laughs)

Any more questions?

PRESENTER

Just one. Which way to the start?

Silently, the Instructor points to a large, un-missable START sign and arrow, pointing along a track.

PRESENTER

Ah.

She starts to jog off in that direction.