During early 2012, Nobles Park was mapped by Markus Puusepp of Trans Atlantic Mapping Company. This was undertaken for Peo (Per-Olof) Bengtsson, of World Wide Orienteering Promotion, who was arranging a visit to the Isle of Man with a group of Scandinavian Orienteers later in the year. (Peo is a renowned promoter of Orienteering world wide and an International Orienteering competitor). The map was used for a successful Scandinavian International Orienteering event in late October 2012 as part of a series of Orienteering events undertaken during a European tour by World Wide Orienteering Promotion company. This base map was then donated to Isle of Man Orienteers, William Higgins and Sandor Talas, to help develop Orienteering in the Isle of Man.
What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is an outdoor adventure activity that exercises both the mind and the body. The aim of Orienteering is to navigate in sequence around a course of control points marked on a unique orienteering map. The challenge is to use the map to decide the best route to each control point and then to navigate the course. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace for the challenge undertaken. Orienteering can take place anywhere from remote forest and countryside to urban parks and school grounds. It is a great recreational activity and sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills, develop physical fitness or for anyone who wants to explore the outdoors. ‘Orienteering - The adventure sport for all’.
How do I get started?
A map is available for download to the right. You will find the permanently fixed orienteering control markers placed on fences, lamp-posts, walls, etc. at different locations around Nobles Park. The orienteering control marker is a red and white square, with a location number in the top left-hand corner and an answer for the marker on the bottom right-hand corner either marked as two numbers, two letters or a combination of letter and number.
A brief description of the location of each control marker is also included on a recording sheet which is available to the right.
Different maps of various courses have been created to provide a range of navigation challenges alongside a master map. These show the locations of permanent control markers and are available for download or printing to the right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to know?
Whilst orienteering you will be looking for control markers which can be placed on fences, lamp-posts, walls, trees etc. The marker is a red and white square with a location number in the top left corner and an answer in the bottom right. e.g: 
The positions of the control markers are circled in red on the orienteering map of Nobles Park, a brief description of the location is also included on the recording sheet to aid in locating them.
How many times can i Orienteer in the park if the markers are permanent?
Although the markers themselves are permanent the are lots of combinations of courses that can be created, 26 have been created to get you involved and with a bit of creativitiy you'll be able to create your own courses using the markers, see the Courses link on the right which has all the maps you'll need including the master map.
Where can I get more information?
If you want to find out more about Orienteering in the Isle of Man or in the British Isles you can contact William or Sandor by using the email links to the right, or you can visit the other orienteering organisations available to the right.
