W
Walrus
Guest
Hello!
I'm thinking about joining a caving club but would like some advice. I posted here rather than approaching individuals so I can get a nice wide range of opinions.
I've been looking around this website & the trycaving one and while they list loads of clubs I'm not sure which would be 'right' for me. The ones local to me don't seem very active but the very active ones are some way away. I'd like to get underground more often than I do at the moment. I've been an 'independant' explorer for a little while now - I've been to a few mines and Goatchurch once - but I want more(!) and joining a club seems to be the way forward. I'd be able to draw on other peoples experience, be able to borrow a bit of kit now and again (to try before I buy) and as some places require insurance for access coming from a club would make this easier! I've noticed that some charge more per year for membership than others, with prices ranging from £8 to nearly £40 plus insurance. I suppose thats because some have better facilities than others (huts, equipment etc).
A bit about me: No spring chicken. I live in Berkshire and need to drive at least an hour in most directions to get to anywhere with anything significant underground. I work Mon-Fri, 9-5 (a nice cushy job that gives me plenty of time to browse around the web) so I get evenings free. For weekends I usually need to get a weekend pass from She Who (thinks she) Must Be Obeyed. I'm not as fit as I'd like to be, but working on it. I've got some kit already (helmet, lamp, wellies, boilersuit etc) - set up for dry locations, but not (yet) for wet ones.
My big issue is time - I dont get much spare and would like to get as near to 'right first time' as I can. I've seen that most clubs want you to come on a few trips out so they can see how you get on (and if you get on with them!) before you join - some clubs require nominations before you can be considered for membership.
So... polite suggestions please!
I'm thinking about joining a caving club but would like some advice. I posted here rather than approaching individuals so I can get a nice wide range of opinions.
I've been looking around this website & the trycaving one and while they list loads of clubs I'm not sure which would be 'right' for me. The ones local to me don't seem very active but the very active ones are some way away. I'd like to get underground more often than I do at the moment. I've been an 'independant' explorer for a little while now - I've been to a few mines and Goatchurch once - but I want more(!) and joining a club seems to be the way forward. I'd be able to draw on other peoples experience, be able to borrow a bit of kit now and again (to try before I buy) and as some places require insurance for access coming from a club would make this easier! I've noticed that some charge more per year for membership than others, with prices ranging from £8 to nearly £40 plus insurance. I suppose thats because some have better facilities than others (huts, equipment etc).
A bit about me: No spring chicken. I live in Berkshire and need to drive at least an hour in most directions to get to anywhere with anything significant underground. I work Mon-Fri, 9-5 (a nice cushy job that gives me plenty of time to browse around the web) so I get evenings free. For weekends I usually need to get a weekend pass from She Who (thinks she) Must Be Obeyed. I'm not as fit as I'd like to be, but working on it. I've got some kit already (helmet, lamp, wellies, boilersuit etc) - set up for dry locations, but not (yet) for wet ones.
My big issue is time - I dont get much spare and would like to get as near to 'right first time' as I can. I've seen that most clubs want you to come on a few trips out so they can see how you get on (and if you get on with them!) before you join - some clubs require nominations before you can be considered for membership.
So... polite suggestions please!