Suunnistustaulua

Suunnistustaulu is a display board used in the sport of orienteering in Finland. It provides participants and spectators with information about current events, courses, and safety guidelines. The board is commonly found at clubhouses, event centers, start areas, or training grounds.

A typical Suunnistustaulu includes several elements: a map of the local area showing control points, a legend with standard orienteering symbols, a list of available courses with their distances, estimated times, and difficulty levels, and practical information such as start times, rules, safety notes, and contact details. Some versions also offer tips on map reading and route planning, and may include information about training opportunities and upcoming competitions.

Materials and placement are practical considerations: boards are often made from weather-resistant materials such as laminated paper or plastic and mounted on a stand or wall. They are regularly updated, especially before events and during the season, to reflect current course information and organizers’ notes. Variants include indoor boards in clubhouses or schools and digital versions on screens or accessible via QR codes. In training contexts, Suunnistustaulu may be used for introductory lessons, demonstrations, or public information points.

History and governance: the use of Suunnistustaulu reflects the Finnish emphasis on teaching orienteering basics and informing participants. Content and design are often guided by practices from Suomen Suunnistusliitto (Finnish Orienteering Federation) and local clubs, ensuring consistency across events and training venues.

See also: Orienteering, Map reading, Control description, Event organization in orienteering.