CYCLING – University of York Cycling Club is one of the most passionate sports club around. To begin the year, there is a social ride on the Sunday after freshers fair to introduce you to the club. Then there are three free road rides per week, as well as leisure and mountain bike rides every Wednesday and Saturday.
During the winter months, when road racing is less ideal, the club organises trips to the Manchester Velodrome to compete on the track, an unforgettable experience. Throughout the year, road races are organised in BUCS. During the spring, the club competes in local events such as the North Yorkshire Road Race League (against the very best riders around the country).
MOUNTAINEERING – All aspects of climbing are encouraged at the University of York Mountaineering Club. Traditional climbing on local crags, using safety equipment, can be a fantastic day out to experience the stunning Yorkshire landscape. Bouldering, with crash mats placed at the bottom of small boulders, encourages a fearless approach to climbing. Sport routes on cliffs are also used as well as indoor climbing.
The club climbs every Wednesday and Sunday, including some special weekend trips to other parts of the UK against other universities. Most importantly, there is always a hugely diverse base of ability, so it really doesn’t matter if you’re completely new to the sport.
SKYDIVING – Skydiving is one of those few things many people list as among their greatest ever experiences. So you would be crazy not to join the Skydiving Club. They have close links with the Skydive Hibaldstow centre, just outside Scunthorpe, where you will learn the basics of skydiving from week 3. Importantly, membership and participation is very cheap compared to skydiving outside of university. And if you’re good enough, you may even be selected to compete in the UK National Skydiving Championships.
ORIENTEERING – Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport that exercises both the mind and the body. The aim is to navigate in sequence between control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace. It’s a great sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills or for anyone who loves the outdoors.
University of York Orienteering Club is a new club which participates in many events throughout the year. Last term, the York campus hosted the 2012 Orienteering Championships, attracting runners from all over the country. If you love to be outdoors, this is the club for you.
GLIDING – Another rapidly growing organisation at the university, the gliding club welcomes new members in 2012. Low memberships offers and easy access to the airfield, just a short drive away from the university, make the club one of the most attractive ones to join for freshers. Beginners will initially fly with an instructor in dual-control gliders, but before long the transition will be made to individual gliders. What an experience!
RIDING – The University of York Riding Club is a warm, friendly club to be involved with. Two-hour training sessions are provided at Naburn Riding School located near to the university, categorised into beginners, intermediate, experienced and advanced. Check the website for up to date information regarding times. So if you have been inspired by Team GB’s success at London 2012, why not give it a go?
CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING – Formed only in 2009, this is one of York’s newest and most exciting sports clubs. The club is willing to train absolute beginners and cater for the experienced pros, above all providing enjoyment to its members. Weekly practice sessions are held at Park Lodge shooting school on Wednesday afternoons; meet up at 1pm outside the sports centre first.