Discussion: Dallas orienteering makes the news
in: Orienteering; General
Feb 4, 2007 11:22 PM
#
They got a few details wrong and compared orienteering as they always do to a treasure hunt or the Amazing Race. But no matter -- orienteering was actually positioned as "enlightening" by the local media. And Tom got to be on TV!
http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_034202327.htm...
http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_034202327.htm...
Feb 5, 2007 12:33 PM
#
It is interesting that this Dallas TV news segment focused on the beautiful bottom-land of the Trinity River Greenbelt, that runs right through downtown Dallas, surrounded by expressways. Nice close-ups of sharp thorns and stagnant marshes.
It did not emphasize orienteering as an athletic opportunity or a competitive sport. But merely as a nice "introduction" to this oft overlooked natural area.
Is O ever going to become a respected sport in its own right?
It did not emphasize orienteering as an athletic opportunity or a competitive sport. But merely as a nice "introduction" to this oft overlooked natural area.
Is O ever going to become a respected sport in its own right?
Feb 5, 2007 12:58 PM
#
That's not quite right, chitownclark. The area we used is a bit east of downtown; while expressways aren't far off, they are out of earshot. And while the area was wet because of heavy January rains, it is not a stagnant marsh; this area was once used for farming and grazing. As for the thorns -- well, hey, they are impressive.
Some discussion of the athletic part of O got left on the cutting room floor. That said, we *were* emphasizing the forest over the orienteering. The event was a watered-down score-O that doesn't resemble our normal meets, and the terrain, while pleasant for hiking, is board flat and featureless; I can't see we will ever use it for a regular NTOA event.
The Trinity forest area also has some extremely ardent supporters in the naturalist and conservation community. Hence, I was, to an extent, trying to deemphasize the fact that we would be stepping all over their precious terrain. Last year I had a bit of work to do after the event defending O to these people.
Finally, you were spot on with "a nice "introduction" to this oft overlooked natural area." This is our primary reason for working with the Trinity River Corridor Project. We are happy to introduce O to a group of people who normally wouldn't find our events. And we are happy to work with the City of Dallas to introduce people to this natural area. We consider it great PR all around.
Thus, while there were the usual set of inaccuracies and stereotypes about O in the news piece, it generally did the job, and we're glad to get some publicity.
Some discussion of the athletic part of O got left on the cutting room floor. That said, we *were* emphasizing the forest over the orienteering. The event was a watered-down score-O that doesn't resemble our normal meets, and the terrain, while pleasant for hiking, is board flat and featureless; I can't see we will ever use it for a regular NTOA event.
The Trinity forest area also has some extremely ardent supporters in the naturalist and conservation community. Hence, I was, to an extent, trying to deemphasize the fact that we would be stepping all over their precious terrain. Last year I had a bit of work to do after the event defending O to these people.
Finally, you were spot on with "a nice "introduction" to this oft overlooked natural area." This is our primary reason for working with the Trinity River Corridor Project. We are happy to introduce O to a group of people who normally wouldn't find our events. And we are happy to work with the City of Dallas to introduce people to this natural area. We consider it great PR all around.
Thus, while there were the usual set of inaccuracies and stereotypes about O in the news piece, it generally did the job, and we're glad to get some publicity.
This discussion thread is closed.