Blog: "TrailO is an inclusive sport"
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year. In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week it’s O for Orienteering, and Peter Roberts discusses adapting to TrailO after becoming a wheelchair user.
Read more in the A-Z blogs series
Peter’s blog:
I used to be an active foot orienteer, but then I had an accident a decade ago which means I’m unable to walk. These days, at the age of 68, I still use a scooter.
After the accident I would just sit in the car while my wife continued to go orienteering because I was really nervous about trying something new.
However, accessible orienteering is known as TrailO. My first attempt at TrailO was a complete failure, but after sulking for some time I was persuaded by my wife to have another go, to study the rules carefully and to work out systems to measure distances and my compass bearings.
This I did, and in fact I won the next event I entered! I then worked on the techniques I could improve and practiced, and I have been fortunate to continue to win in my class at many events around the country.
Orienteering is an endurance sport which involves a huge mental element. There is no marked route on the ground – the orienteer must navigate their course with map and compass.
Orienteers often cross over rough ground, completely unprepared forest terrain or rough open hills – cross country in the true sense of the word. In TrailO, competitors follow a trail through the terrain, and carry an orienteering map with a course marked on it.
The time of the competition can vary from one to two hours with a course length anything between two to three kilometres.
Everyone can take part in TrailO competitions because there is no running involved. Participants use their map-reading and navigational skills to complete the course.
TrailO is for all abilities. It is an inclusive sport where disabled people and non-disabled people can take part and compete on equal terms. If you have an interest in maps and like solving puzzles then this is the sport for you.
It is relatively inexpensive to enter and the only equipment you will need is a compass and clothing suitable for outdoors. To be honest, I always carry a waterproof cape!
Using a wheelchair has its difficulties, so I moved a while ago to a mobility scooter. I have several for different types of terrain, and I use a specially-converted vehicle to transport them.
To take part in TrailO you need to understand the rules of adapted orienteering, and become familiar with the specially-designed maps and symbols. To start with I would try a permanent course near you, which should be easy to locate.
I find using permanent courses very useful as you can pick a fine day to go, and it can be a day out for all the family.
Read more in the A-Z blogs series.
