Joining Southdowns Orienteers

Last Updated: Mon 19 Jan 2026

Southdowns Orienteering Club (known as SO) is a friendly and active club covering the whole of Sussex as part of the South East Orienteering Association (SEOA). We organise many events during the year with all details and locations displayed on the Events section of the website. If you’d like to know more before you come, contact Samantha Gibson our membership secretary membership@southdowns-orienteers.org.uk

SO is very keen to encourage their juniors (aged 20 or below), so all junior members get a free entry to all SO events.

The club is affiliated to the British Orienteering Federation (BOF), the sport’s national governing body, and you join the club via the British Orienteering website. The link below will get you going.

JOIN HERE

NB. When completing the online prompts chose SO (Southdowns Orienteers) as your club from the dropdown menu. Also note also that there is a declining fee structure dependent on when you join in the year.

Membership Levels and Fees for 2026

There are three levels of British Orienteering membership:
o Senior – any member aged 26 or older on 31 December of the membership year
o Young Adult - any member aged 21 to 25 on 31 December of the membership year
o Junior – any member aged 20 or younger on 31 December of the membership year

Seniors Total cost £30 (BOF £17. SEOA £3. SO club £10)

Young adult (born between 2001 and 2005)Total cost £20 (BOF £11. SEOA £2 and SO club £7)

Junior Total cost £10.50 (BOF £5. SEOA £1 and SO club £4.50 )

Family (2 adults, 2 children living at same address): BOF membership £37 + Association (SEOA) £7 + club £21.50 = £65.50
Associate: For orienteers already a member of another club: Senior £10; Junior £4

Many orienteering competitions are based on age classes (eg. 50-55). To find out your orienteering age class (separate classes for Men and Women) use the table below.

Born in Orienteering age Born in Orienteering age
1931 - 1935M/W 90 1981 - 1985M/W 40
1936 - 1940M/W 85 1986 - 1990M/W 35
1941 - 1945M/W 80 1991 - 2004M/W 21
1946 - 1950M/W 75 2005 - 2006M/W 20
1951 - 1955M/W 70 2007 - 2008M/W 18
1956 - 1960M/W 65 2009 - 2010M/W 16
1961 - 1965M/W 60 2011 - 2012M/W 14
1966 - 1970M/W 55 2013 - 2014M/W 12
1971 - 1975M/W 50 2015M/W 10
1976 - 1980M/W 45 after 2015Actual age

Membership of BOF entitles you to:

  • Entry fee discounts at events
  • Eligibility to compete in the British Championships and the JK
  • Opportunity to represent your country at international competitions
  • Be entered into the national rankings scheme.
  • Access to a ‘Navigational Challenge’ and ‘Racing Challenge’ incentive Scheme
  • Public liability insurance when participating in events and activities registered with British Orienteering
  • Vote at the British Orienteering AGM
  • Discounts from national companies through the member discounts scheme

Related to About Us