Controllers are the officials appointed to make sure that orienteering events are fair and comply with the BOF Rules and Guidelines, and may be best thought of as technical advisers. However they have authority to cause an event to be cancelled or downgraded if there is reason, but that is very rare indeed. The appointment of controllers is governed by a set of rules and guidelines detailing the experience necessary.

There are three grades of controller:

• Grade 1, for controlling Level 1 and 2 events (National events and championships).
• Grade 2, for Level 3 (Regional) events.
• Grade 3, for Level 4 (District) events.

Grades 2 and 3 controllers are recommended by their club and appointed by their regional association (SWOA in the South-West). Grade 1 controllers are recommended by their regional association and appointed at national level; they are orienteers with considerable experience as competitors, organisers, planners and controllers. In practice, controllers will often officiate at events below their grade, for example a Grade 2 may well control a SWOA Gallopen, which is a Level 4 event, in order to keep up their skills.

All enquiries about the appointment of controllers in SWOA should be made to the Recorder of Controllers who is:

Telephone 01935 863429