Some agility is useful at most orienteering events - you may need to cross a fence or clamber through bush. The sport can involve the entire family. There are courses to suit all skill levels so everyone may participate at their own level of skill and fitness. Once upon a time people were taught that orienteering is all about compasses, and people learned to use a compass but still couldn t read a map. Nowadays, with better quality maps, map-reading is the vital skill.
Compasses become useful only after basic map reading has been mastered.
The compass is seen as an aid to navigation and too much reliance on the compass usually leads to navigational problems. Most Clubs offer compasses for use or sale at events if you wish to use one. Just wear clothes suited to walking or running in farmland or city parks. In wet weather you may have to contend with mud. Experienced orienteers who intend to run fast wear special studded shoes, like stronger versions of cross-country shoes.