Description
Welcome to UBSS!
The UBSS has been delving the depths of the subterranean world for over 100 years, and has a membership to reflect this - from the new students that join every year, right up to those that were around when it all began. Consequently the range of activities that go on, caving and otherwise, is vast. From the regular adventures into the underground playgrounds of the UK and abroad, to cave exploration and surveying at home, in County Clare, Ireland, as well as more far-flung places like Austria or Thailand, to impending fame and fortune in the form of the good old UBSS digs, photography, drunken table/pub/person traversing, archaeology, cave science, huge bonfire parties at the UBSS hut, and mammoth beer-drinking sessions: UBSS members do them all.
What is Caving?
Caving is about exploration, trying something new, and having a laugh with great people.
Caving can take so many forms, sometimes we go caving just for sport and to challenge ourselves, other times you see beautiful formations (stalagtites and stalagmites), sometimes we go to map (survey) unexplored caves or even dig to find as yet undiscovered cave.
There are hundreds of caves around the UK of varying sizes, wet and dry, awaiting your visitation. No experience is required as there as trips suited to all levels, and you can borrow any gear you need from us. Some require just walking; others crawling, climbing, abseiling, swimming or even diving. There are even opportunities to discover new caves (places no one has ever seen before!) and advance your skills on expeditions abroad.
The world of caving is vast and getting involved at uni is a great way to pick up a lifelong passion. Bristol has formed the gateway into the international caving community for so many students, with most who try caving for the first time at university going onto participate in international expeditions within a year, discovering vast cave systems thousands of metres deep and many kilometres long.
To get a taste of what the sport has to offer, check out these videos made by our members: Sump Diving in Swildons - Bristol Caving Club
Trips and Events
Members living in Bristol meet weekly in the Pub on Tuesday evenings from 8.30pm (see our social media and WhatsApp group for the location each week). This is the place to come if you want to find out more about caving or the UBSS, or you want to come on any trips. Most informal trips are organised in the pub, so it's really great to come along! (Feel free to send us a message on Whatsapp if you're struggling to find where to find us, we don't bite!)
Large, club organised, events, which usually happen every fortnight during term time, will be listed on the events diary page on our website, Whatsapp and Instagram. Emails about them will be sent out nearer the time, and will be included in our monthly newsletter (the best caving newsletter in the country!!!). Our socials are listed below.
There is always someone happy to take you caving anytime, including evening mid-week trips. Follow the link below to be added to our Whatsapp and ask to be taken underground. There are always beginners trips going so it will be easy to get underground and arrange a trip. We also have our own hut out in the scenic Mendip Hills. It's seen a great deal of fun and parties over the last 100 years, and members can stay anytime! We frequently hold weekends away there where we cave, have bonfires, and rave to the tunes of our massive speakers in the woods.
Links and Contacts
Join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Iq7CAgl31ZL5xRVecOsuLE
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ubsstagram/
Check out our website: http://www.ubss.org.uk/
Contact the secretary via email for more info: secretary@ubss.org.uk and ask to be added to our membership mailing list.
Membership
Club student membership is only £10 and also includes membership of the British Caving Association (BCA). This covers the necessary insurance to go caving with us. We also have all the kit you need available to hire in our stores at the Richmond Building.
Caving can look like this...
Or this...
Or this...
Or even this...
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And here's our wonderful hut where we frollick, party, and pyromania!
Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
