The Canadian Orienteering Federation
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Orienteering Federation (abbreviated COF) is the national Orienteering
Association
in Canada
. It is recognized as the orienteering
association
for Canada by the International Orienteering Federation
, of which it is a member.
and the first Canadian national orienteering
championship was held in Gatineau Park
just outside of Ottawa
on August 10. In 1972 the COF sent its first team to the World Orienteering Championships
(WOC) and by 1975 consisted of 8 provincial associations. In 1976 Orienteering Quebec organized the first 5-Day International competition held outside of Europe which attracted over 900 participants. In 1985 Canadian Ted de St Croix placed a landmark 10th at the WOC in Australia, at that time a best ever placing by a non-European orienteer. A year later, in 1978, Ted won his 11th consecutive Canadian Championships title clinching the record number of consecutive titles by a Canadian in any sport. That same year the Hamilton King Forestors OC organized a World Cup race in the Dundas Valley and Denise Demonte of the Hamilton King Forestors claimed 4th place, a best ever World Cup result by a North American. In 1990 two major international events were held in Canada, the Asia-Pacific Orienteering Championships in British Colombia, and a World Cup race in Caroline hosted by the Alberta Orienteering Association. In 1992 Canada hosted its third World Cup race in Ganaraska Forest, Newcastle Ontario. In 2000 the Orienteering Association of New Brunswick (ONB) held, in conjunction with the Canadian Orienteering Championships, Canada's first two World Ranking Events in Rockwood Park, Saint John, and Fundy National Park. In 2002 the Asia-Pacific Orienteering Championships returned to Canada, this time in Alberta. In 2005 the Alberta Orienteering Association hosts another major international event, the World Masters Orienteering Championships. That same year Canadian Sandy Hott
placed 9th in the middle distance at the WOC, a new best result by a North American at the WOC and a then best ever result by a female non-European. In 2006 the Saskatchewan Orienteering Association joined the COF and hosted the Canadian Orienteering Championships a year later. In 2011 the COF introduced the concept of Canada Cup Events and the Canada Cup Elite Series.
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
Association
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is recognized as the orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
association
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
for Canada by the International Orienteering Federation
International Orienteering Federation
The International Orienteering Federation is the international governing body of the sport of orienteering. The IOF head office is located in Helsinki, Finland....
, of which it is a member.
History
The Canadian Orienteering Federation was founded and incorporated in 1967 and initially consisted of three member associations, those of Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. In 1968 the COF became a member of the International Orienteering FederationInternational Orienteering Federation
The International Orienteering Federation is the international governing body of the sport of orienteering. The IOF head office is located in Helsinki, Finland....
and the first Canadian national orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
championship was held in Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is a park located in the National Capital Region, in Quebec's Outaouais region, just north of Ottawa, Ontario. Administered by the National Capital Commission, the park is a 361 km² wedge of land to the west of the Gatineau River...
just outside of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
on August 10. In 1972 the COF sent its first team to the World Orienteering Championships
World Orienteering Championships
The World Orienteering Championships were first held in 1966. They were held biennially up to 2003 . Since 2003, competitions have been held annually....
(WOC) and by 1975 consisted of 8 provincial associations. In 1976 Orienteering Quebec organized the first 5-Day International competition held outside of Europe which attracted over 900 participants. In 1985 Canadian Ted de St Croix placed a landmark 10th at the WOC in Australia, at that time a best ever placing by a non-European orienteer. A year later, in 1978, Ted won his 11th consecutive Canadian Championships title clinching the record number of consecutive titles by a Canadian in any sport. That same year the Hamilton King Forestors OC organized a World Cup race in the Dundas Valley and Denise Demonte of the Hamilton King Forestors claimed 4th place, a best ever World Cup result by a North American. In 1990 two major international events were held in Canada, the Asia-Pacific Orienteering Championships in British Colombia, and a World Cup race in Caroline hosted by the Alberta Orienteering Association. In 1992 Canada hosted its third World Cup race in Ganaraska Forest, Newcastle Ontario. In 2000 the Orienteering Association of New Brunswick (ONB) held, in conjunction with the Canadian Orienteering Championships, Canada's first two World Ranking Events in Rockwood Park, Saint John, and Fundy National Park. In 2002 the Asia-Pacific Orienteering Championships returned to Canada, this time in Alberta. In 2005 the Alberta Orienteering Association hosts another major international event, the World Masters Orienteering Championships. That same year Canadian Sandy Hott
Sandy Hott
Sandy Hott is a Canadian physician and orienteering competitor. She is a former North American and Canadian Champion, and has represented Canada at the World Orienteering Championships several times...
placed 9th in the middle distance at the WOC, a new best result by a North American at the WOC and a then best ever result by a female non-European. In 2006 the Saskatchewan Orienteering Association joined the COF and hosted the Canadian Orienteering Championships a year later. In 2011 the COF introduced the concept of Canada Cup Events and the Canada Cup Elite Series.