There have been many fantastic innovations in Orienteering over the years. One of the best was the introduction of pre-printed maps and later the introduction of maps printed on waterproof paper. I have clear memories of trying to keep my map dry while writing my controls onto a paper map in the rain, and then trying to get the map into a plastic bag without getting the map wet or getting water into the bag. Thankfully such experiences are almost a thing of the past.

Almost all events these days use maps pre-printed on waterproof paper. The problem is the occasional event that does not. Don't get me wrong, I'm not insisting that clubs pre-print maps on waterproof paper, although I pity those clubs that are apparently so strapped for cash that they feel they can't afford to. No, I'm just asking that we be told, in advance, that the map will be printed on paper and unprotected. Adding that information to the event details and a post in the forum is all that's required, although a sign at the start would be great as well. If your club can't afford such a sign then you could just get the event official to tell people. That way, people who need to, can bring a plastic bag to put their map in.

I used to carry a bag with me in every event, but since almost all events these days use waterproof paper I had stopped doing so. Even when carrying a bag, it isn't always immediately obvious that the map isn't on waterproof paper, until the first signs of wear appear. It's then a pain having to stop and bag a map in the middle of the run.

I DNF'd at the Cabinteely event because by that stage I had lost the piece of the map with control 14 on it, and I was being careful trying to hold on to the bits. Bizarrely, the map actually tore early on while I was folding it. I've got to honest I've never experienced that before and I have been orienteering for nearly 50 years!

You can probably imagine my consternation when less than a week later, at the Slieve Croob event, I realised after the first few controls that the map was non on waterproof paper. I then spent the event trying to hold the map gingerly between my thumb and forefinger. This worked to help the map survive better but as anyone who isn't a beginner in orienteering knows, that isn't ideal.

I'm attaching the Cabineely event map and since I only seem to be able to attach one image to a pst I will post the Slieve Croob map in a separate message.

To reiterate -

IF YOU ARE NOT PRINTING YOUR MAPS ON WATERPROOF PAPER, OR BAGGING THEM, THEN PLEASE TELL US IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN PROTECT THE MAP OURSELVES IF WE NEED TO!!

Paul Smyth