I was just pondering how many older cavers are still active. A member of the Eldon Bob Toogood started caving in the 50,s. He was on the Peak trip where Neil Moss was trapped and helped in the rescue attempt. Just recently we did a trip to bottom Giants and back over the top. Bob confessed he was a little tired, but I pointed out, ? Bob you?re over 80?! In between Bob has done most of the severe trips in the UK and many in Europe, been a leading UK climber and alpinist, as well as represent England at cross country and fell running. He?s also been the world 10k road running champion. Anyone else in the caving fraternity can match that?
Old cavers
- Thread starter Phild
- Start date
Paul Marvin
Member
Phild said:
What are we classing as "old" :-\
Roy Fellows would be a good match
Pitlamp
Well-known member
The late Gilbert ("Bert") Bradshaw - Easter Grotto discoverer - still went caving in his 80s. He came in second in a Three Peaks fell race.
The late Geoff Workman was still actively digging in Stump Cross Caverns well into his 80s. He didn't hold any running records; he held records for very long caving trips!
The late Geoff Workman was still actively digging in Stump Cross Caverns well into his 80s. He didn't hold any running records; he held records for very long caving trips!
Paul Marvin
Member
kay said:
Yes there are not many youngsters at it
Bob is a legend.
Might be worth noting some stats on the age demographic of the BCA membership (pre covid). The median age was 50. 27% were over 60. 18% over 65. The over 70s increased over the three years of the survey.
Looks like caving is attractive to older folk.
Might be worth noting some stats on the age demographic of the BCA membership (pre covid). The median age was 50. 27% were over 60. 18% over 65. The over 70s increased over the three years of the survey.
Looks like caving is attractive to older folk.
SamT
Moderator
I bumped into Bob Toogood just before Christmas in a bike shop, he was collecting his (electric I think) Mountain Bike have had it serviced.
Was good to see him looking and sounding fit and well.
Wasn't so long ago that he was in hospital a bit unwell.
Legend doesn't come close... :bow:
IMG_3754 by Rob Eavis, on Flickr
Was good to see him looking and sounding fit and well.
Wasn't so long ago that he was in hospital a bit unwell.
Legend doesn't come close... :bow:
IMG_3754 by Rob Eavis, on Flickr
royfellows
Well-known member
I find that I can still do everything that I was able to do when younger, indeed in the martial arts field things that I couldn't do then!
I just do less of it, or have to pace myself. In my younger days I didn't have to stop, - work, I could go all day until 22.00 with just brief snacks etc.
However, when I do stop, I can get back on line in about 5 minutes with whatever.
I think it?s a prime case of the very wise adage, stay active, and you stay fit and live longer.
I just do less of it, or have to pace myself. In my younger days I didn't have to stop, - work, I could go all day until 22.00 with just brief snacks etc.
However, when I do stop, I can get back on line in about 5 minutes with whatever.
I think it?s a prime case of the very wise adage, stay active, and you stay fit and live longer.
Paul Marvin
Member
Badlad said:
Why are youngsters not getting into it ? :-\
There is a lot of competition from outdoor activities for any interested youngster. Tens of thousands each year get to try caving as an instructed trip usually through school, outdoor activity centres, scouts, cadets etc. A small number will be attracted to the sport of caving but there are numerous barriers to participation for them. I suspect it is far too easy for them to be sidetracked into a different activity which is simpler to participate in. If they do get to uni, and that uni has a caving club, then that early interest may attract them to join, but not everyone goes to uni and not all unis have a caving club, and of course by that time the interest may be lost. Ideas such as the adventure academy are needed to address this element of early participation capture but that needs rolling out across the country supported by a huge volunteer resource that is where it will likely struggle.
I find it interesting that a few under 18s that I have known have become very competent cavers at quite an early age, even to the point of doing British grade fives and major European caves with ease. However, all of these have had caving parents or guardians. There must be huge potential in youth caving which is seldom realised.
Anyway I appreciate I am answering a question about young cavers on a thread entitled 'old cavers'. Apologies to the OP
I find it interesting that a few under 18s that I have known have become very competent cavers at quite an early age, even to the point of doing British grade fives and major European caves with ease. However, all of these have had caving parents or guardians. There must be huge potential in youth caving which is seldom realised.
Anyway I appreciate I am answering a question about young cavers on a thread entitled 'old cavers'. Apologies to the OP
mrodoc
Well-known member
The age difference is having an effect on Club Journals. Most of the contributions to the last Belfry Bulletin were from septuagenarians! As I said in my editorial most people can't write much more than a Twitter post nowadays. They don't seem to get the fact that social media including this forum are evanescent. There is a great divide occurring between those born into the internet era and those born prior to it.
Paul Marvin
Member
mrodoc said:
Couldn't have put that better myself .
skippy
Active member
Badlad said:
Going back to Badlads reply, This is something I have given lots of thought to when thinking of ways to recruit into a club. However the above is not just restricted to the younger end.
These days, there is so much opportunity to 'try' adventure sport...at a price. By way of example, I have a friend who considers himself as an 'Adventurer'. Said person partakes in a different activity each weekend however he pays for his adventure using guides each time. One week they can be diving, next week kayaking and so on. Now I have no problem with this as I have several friends who depend on this type of 'adventurer' as a way of income.
I have questioned the person as to why he wont commit to one sport and maybe contribute back to their chosen sport(not in a financial sense). The response has always been that they have disposable income and if they can pay, they will continue to do something different every week without commitment to a club/friends and the necessity of having to maintain the equipment required. Also as someone else is partly responsible for their safety, they feel comfortable.
Personally, I find it quite a clinical attitude as the element of 'adventure' is in someone else's hands.
Getting back to the OP, the CPC has had an increase in membership during the last few months. Most of the new members have all been over 50 and in one case over 70. For the most part, they have been (very) active cavers in their youth...and now wish to return to the sport.
This is fantastic and they have all acted with competence while on club trips....However, I do get excited when we get applications from potential members who are under 45
Chocolate fireguard
Active member
I don't think some of that is fair.mrodoc said:
I had a decent education and got a 1 in English Language "O" Level in 1962, but even 10 years later when I was writing research reports I struggled to get motivated and some of the stuff I turned out was pretty poor. Now I do much better. I imagine it has something to do with the extra 50 years of practice.
Older people are , well, older.
Evanescent eh? There's posh!
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