Some tips on how to get started on a rogaine if you have never done one before. Supplied by Mike Sheridan.

• If you haven't got a good mate to go with, ask the organiser for a partner or put a post up on the Welly afterwork rogaine page on facebook.

• Arrive in good time to get the map as soon as it's available - the planning time is invaluable for understanding the map and potential routes you might take. Also make sure your team collects an answer sheet from one of the marked boxes. Collecting the answer sheet lets the organiser know you're out on the course (and are expected back). If your team doesn't collect one you'll be marked as DNS.
• It's all in the route planning... Try and avoid too many out and backs or dead ends. Look for loops.
• On your first event or two play a conservative game — try and work out how far you can go in the allotted time.
• Don’t do all the close controls at the beginning. Leave those to the end, so you have lots of options to soak up any remaining time.
• For your first rogaine or two don’t worry about your score. Try things out, test yourself and learn some skills.
• If you can't find a control, don't spend too long on it. Write it off and move on to another one. Even good rogainers sometimes have to do this!
• Try and pick on one skill each event to focus on — for example: pacing, use of the compass, using your thumb as a pointer to stay in touch with where you are on the map.
• If you have any concerns, questions or you need some help then ask the organiser