The coaching activity saw 14 SOC members attend (including Coaches). Between them, they shared 51 runs on a selection of 7 different courses using a standard map or a map with the tracks and paths removed. So experienced orienteers and the less experienced all had challenges to match their capabilities.
Like the last coaching activity at Bramshaw Wood the emphasis was on working on direction, using map and compass to run on bearings!
The area was very open and runnable so running on a bearing was quite achievable, enabling participants to run straight most of the time.
Even so, feedback indicated that although you could generally run straight, it did not always work as planned. Often you need to combine other navigational techniques as well. Techniques such as 'aiming off', navigating to larger identifiable attack points, gauging distance and picturing and ticking off features as you pass them. T something
I think we all learnt something and gained good experience trying to follow bearings which I hope will encourage the participants to practice further and add this skill to their navigational armoury.
Kevin
