The Climbing Club (Issue 38)

WHHAAYYY”!! jeer Climbing Society members upon crashing through the door of a quiet Wetherspoons on the first social event of the year. Having retained the title of being the University’s largest society two years running, the Climbing Club currently consists of over seventy enthusiastic members. Former president Dave West, who has done everything from traversing along a cliff face above crashing waves to downing eight pitchers in a row, feels it is important to emphasize there is so much more to the club than just learning to climb. The atmosphere of the club’s latest trip certainly embodies this.

Described by current club president ‘Windle’ as “the greatest trip yet!”, sixty-five excited students embarked on a four hour bus journey to the Peak District. The euphoric high remained despite emerging from tents the next morning to showering rain. The day was spent at “The Works”, the UK’s largest international bouldering centre, followed by socialising at the Hathersage pub. Later that evening the banter continued as students congregated in the ‘Uber tent’ as  president ‘Windle’ attempted to play Bob Marley’s “don’t worry – be happy” on the ukulele.

The following morning, despite heavy doubt of ‘Windle’s’ uncompromising belief that the weather would improve, students awoke to the warm, tranquil, fresh air of a good day to come. Fantastic sun escalated the trip to its peak with an action packed day full of climbing on outdoor rock and experience of breathtaking views, followed by the clubs ‘official’ topless photo! Winner of the fresher’s male bouldering competition Bryan Calderon (studying mechanical-engineering) described the outdoor climbing as a “challenging experience” compared to indoors, but appeared satisfied by the trip - “it’s really good because they mixed us up with some of the more experienced climbers so we were able to pick up quite a lot”.

Whereas many members would argue climbing to be an extreme and dangerous sport, it is worth pointing out how safe it actually is, in that all members must pass a safety assessment before being allowed to belay solo. Female fresher’s bouldering competition winner Bethany Askem (studying nutrition and dietetics) shared her impressions of the club: “love every minute of it! It’s the people that make it what it is. It doesn’t matter if you feel you’ve missed the beginning, come along at any point because you can join all year”. 

Latest developments to the club involve training officer Tom Foschini putting together a training program to help new climbers develop their technique, which will begin 15th November. The club agrees it is excellent to have new members and would like to invite anyone who is interested to either come on down to the Sports Park or get involved with the next two trips. The club will next be travelling to the Roaches and Swanage where members will be lodging in a scout hut (for those of you keen on staying dry). These trips are rumoured to involve the infamous “sling-game” and are a great chance to have fun and meet new people.