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Underwater Orienteering

Underwater orienteering is a competitive sport that combines the skills of orienteering with scuba diving. Participants navigate through a series of underwater checkpoints using a compass and a map, aiming to complete the course in the shortest possible time.

History

Underwater orienteering originated in the 1960s in the former Soviet Union and East Germany. It was developed as a way to enhance the skills of divers in navigation and to promote underwater sports. The sport has since spread to other countries and is governed by the World Underwater Federation (CMAS).

Equipment

Competitors in underwater orienteering use specialized equipment, including a diving suit, fins, a mask, a snorkel, a compass, and a map. The compass is often mounted on the wrist or attached to a board for easy reading underwater. Some courses may also require the use of a depth gauge.

Courses

Underwater orienteering courses vary in design and complexity. Common course types include:

M-course: A course shaped like the letter "M," requiring precise navigation.
5-point course: A course with five checkpoints that must be reached in a specific order.
Star course: A central starting point with multiple checkpoints radiating outward.
Parallel course: Two or more parallel lines of checkpoints.
Monk course: A course with checkpoints arranged in a specific pattern, often requiring advanced navigation skills.
Team course: A course designed for teams, requiring coordination and communication among team members.

Competition

Underwater orienteering competitions are held at various levels, from local club events to international championships. Competitors are judged based on their speed and accuracy in navigating the course. Penalties are given for missing checkpoints or deviating from the course.

Related pages

References

"Underwater Orienteering." World Underwater Federation (CMAS). Retrieved from [1].
"History of Underwater Orienteering." International Orienteering Federation. Retrieved from [2].

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-'''Underwater orienteering''' is a competitive sport which combines the physical challenge of [[Scuba diving|scuba diving]] and the mental challenge of [[orienteering]]. The sport requires participants to navigate an underwater course using a [[compass]] and a simple map, while also managing their air supply and dealing with the physical and psychological challenges of the underwater environment.
+== Underwater Orienteering ==
-== History ==
+[[File:M-course.png|thumb|right|M-course layout]]
+[[File:5-point_course.png|thumb|right|5-point course layout]]
+[[File:Star_course.png|thumb|right|Star course layout]]
+[[File:Parallel_course.png|thumb|right|Parallel course layout]]
+[[File:Monk_course.png|thumb|right|Monk course layout]]
+[[File:Team_course.png|thumb|right|Team course layout]]
+[[File:Team_course_option.png|thumb|right|Team course option layout]]
-Underwater orienteering originated in Europe in the 1960s as a training exercise for military divers. It was later adopted by civilian diving clubs and eventually evolved into a competitive sport. The first official underwater orienteering competition was held in Germany in 1973.
+'''Underwater orienteering''' is a competitive [[sport]] that combines the skills of [[orienteering]] with [[scuba diving]]. Participants navigate through a series of underwater checkpoints using a compass and a map, aiming to complete the course in the shortest possible time.
-== Competition ==
+== History ==
+Underwater orienteering originated in the 1960s in the former [[Soviet Union]] and [[East Germany]]. It was developed as a way to enhance the skills of divers in navigation and to promote underwater sports. The sport has since spread to other countries and is governed by the [[World Underwater Federation]] (CMAS).
-In an underwater orienteering competition, teams of two divers are given a map of an underwater course marked with control points. The divers must navigate the course using only their compass and the map, and must surface at each control point to mark their progress. The team that completes the course in the shortest time is the winner.
 == Equipment ==
+Competitors in underwater orienteering use specialized equipment, including a diving suit, fins, a mask, a snorkel, a compass, and a map. The compass is often mounted on the wrist or attached to a board for easy reading underwater. Some courses may also require the use of a depth gauge.
-The basic equipment for underwater orienteering includes a [[Scuba set|scuba set]], a compass, and a map of the course. Some divers also use a [[dive computer]] to monitor their depth and air supply. The map is usually made of waterproof material and is attached to the diver's arm for easy reference.
+== Courses ==
+Underwater orienteering courses vary in design and complexity. Common course types include:
-== Training ==
+* '''M-course''': A course shaped like the letter "M," requiring precise navigation.
+* '''5-point course''': A course with five checkpoints that must be reached in a specific order.
+* '''Star course''': A central starting point with multiple checkpoints radiating outward.
+* '''Parallel course''': Two or more parallel lines of checkpoints.
+* '''Monk course''': A course with checkpoints arranged in a specific pattern, often requiring advanced navigation skills.
+* '''Team course''': A course designed for teams, requiring coordination and communication among team members.
-Training for underwater orienteering involves both physical conditioning and skills development. Divers must be in good physical condition to handle the physical demands of scuba diving, and must also be proficient in navigation and map reading. Training exercises often involve navigating a course on land before attempting it underwater.
+== Competition ==
+Underwater orienteering competitions are held at various levels, from local club events to international championships. Competitors are judged based on their speed and accuracy in navigating the course. Penalties are given for missing checkpoints or deviating from the course.
-== See also ==
+== Related pages ==
 * [[Orienteering]]
 * [[Scuba diving]]
-* [[Underwater sports]]
+* [[World Underwater Federation]]
+== References ==
+* "Underwater Orienteering." World Underwater Federation (CMAS). Retrieved from [https://www.cmas.org/underwater-orienteering].
+* "History of Underwater Orienteering." International Orienteering Federation. Retrieved from [https://orienteering.sport/underwater-orienteering].
 [[Category:Underwater sports]]
 [[Category:Orienteering]]
 [[Category:Scuba diving]]
-{{Underwater-stub}}
-{{Orienteering-stub}}