Hi

Have visited most of the show caves in the UK, but am looking for more than just a walk through them...

I'm from the Leicestershire area. Any recommendations as to how I should go about getting into this sport? I've had a look at a few of the caving club websites, but a few of them, which are close, seem to have not been updated in a while...

Cheers for the help in advance!

Retard - hi.  You are closest to the Peak District which has some great fun caves and cavers.  Only going to be a matter of time before some of the locals contact you and offer a trip.  Good luck.

Hi Retard, check out this site ; http://thedca.org.uk/

and any links, then come back here with any specific queries, most clubs have posters on this forum.

Hi

I was in the same position a year or two ago and contacted a couple of clubs about joining. Some aren't as 'present' on the web so sites will be old but most responded to an email.  This is a pretty good place to start:

http://www.trycaving.org.uk/component/option,com_comprofiler/task,usersList/listid,8/Itemid,29/action,search/

Matt

Cheers for all the advice guys.

I had a look at the dca website, and a few of the others... They all seem to lack some information in one form or another.

The dca group is probably closest to me, but I'd need training, and to purchase equipment. I don't seem to see much about either on most sites...

It all comes with joining a club.

Clubs will train you or put you in contact with good trainers if you prefer more formal courses.

Clubs will introduce you to many people, in and out the club, to train with.

Many clubs will happily long term loan beginners gear.

As a starting point Id email the Orpheus Caving Club and the TSG. Both active clubs and receptive to new members.


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The Derbyshire Caving Association is a regional body and not a club itself.
A list of the clubs registered in the area can be found here: http://thedca.org.uk/caving-links/dca-member-clubs
A club will have it's own training programme and kit store. Each club is different and you'd need to talk to the individual clubs themselves. The DCA do run training courses for club and individual cavers but these might be something that you need to look at in the future once you've got the basics. http://thedca.org.uk/training
If the club scene doesn't float your boat you can always join one of the many Facebook groups and find some cave buddies that way.
Finally, if you want professional training and advice contact a member of the Association of Caving Instructors http://www.caveinstructor.org.uk/

Also, don't be put off by lack of updated websites or slow initial replies to emails.

In caving clubs nobody gets paid and most of the members priorities are caving.

I'm running a hectic schedule at the moment caving wise but unfortunately nothing suitable for beginners on weekends, however, if an after school trip in the peak near castleton may be of interest, I can sort one of these, possibly next week for you?


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Hi - I'm not a member of the TSG but have been caving a few times with them, they do a lot of good beginner type trips, some midweek.

http://www.tsgcaving.co.uk/