Do I have to be a university student to join SUBW
No. Everyone can join SUBW. We are open to people from all walks of life. While many of our members are students, we also have a fair share of members who have long graduated (or never studied).
How can I join SUBW
Information on how to sign up for the club online can be found here.
Are there additional costs for coming on a trip.
Once you are a member of the club, we don’t charge extra for coming on trips. However, you have to cover all your own costs such as train tickets. If someone gives you a lift in their car, you are expected to share the costs of fuel. You also need to provide your own food.
How old are the members of SUBW
Since SUBW is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are students or not, our members come from a broad age group. We have many current students, but also members who are already in their work lives. To get an idea of the people coming on our trip, have a look at the many pictures in our trip reports.
How often do you run trips
We usually run trips on most weekends all year round, including summer and semester breaks. However, since all our trip leaders are volunteers, we can’t guarantee this. Trips can also be weather-dependent. If you want to have a look at trips we ran in the past, have a look at our past walks programme.
When is the next trip?
All our trips are published on the walks programme. If there is no trip announced, none is planned at the moment. However, new trips are constantly getting announced, often with only a few days’ notice. Even though the walks programme might look empty today, there might still be trips coming up for next weekend.
Can I come on a trip without being a member and then decide whether I want to join?
All people coming on trips must be current members of the club. Thus, you have to become a member before your first trip with the club.
How does it work to come on a trip?
We have written a special page which covers everything from signing up for a trip to coming onto the trip. Please have a look there.
Do I need bushwalking experience to join the club?
No. We run a wide range of trips from beginner bushwalks to advanced multi-day adventures. We welcome anyone as long as they are keen to try out something new!
Can I still come on a trip if it is marked as 'full'?
If a trip is marked as ‘full’, it means exactly that: the trip is full. This also means that the trip leader will not accept any further sign-ups. In rare cases, there is another reason for the trip being marked ‘full’. If this is the case, it will be stated very clearly in the trip announcement. We know that it can be frustrating that a trip is full, but for the safety and enjoyment of everyone, numbers have to be limited on trips. There are always new trips coming up, so simply sign up as soon as another suitable trip is announced.
Do I need all my own gear?
The club has an extensive store of gear which you can hire for trips. For example, we have camping gear which is suitable for overnight trips, as well as canyoning gear and much more. Gear may be borrowed for club trips only and must be returned the week after the trip. See the gear borrowing page for details.
Can I borrow club gear for a private trip?
No. Gear may be borrowed for club trips only and must be returned the week after the trip.
Do you offer 6-month memberships?
No.
Can I take a friend who's not a member to a trip?
No. Everyone coming on trips must be a current member and have signed up for the trip on the website. If you take a friend without the trip leader’s approval, they will not be allowed to join the trip.
How can I increase my chances of being accepted in trips?
Keep a close eye on the mailing list, and sign up for trips as soon as you see the email and you meet the required prerequisite/experience. Showing up to trips on time will also increase your chances of being accepted, as some trip leaders are more likely to accept familiar faces.
Do I need to be able to speak English?
Yes. Many of our club members come from multicultural backgrounds and can speak multiple languages. However, it is still imperative that you can speak fluent English, so that you can understand important safety instructions and be able to communicate your concerns. If you have difficulty communicating in English, our trip leaders may deem that it is unsafe to take you on a trip. Even if you speak another language, you’ll have a much better time on the trip if you communicate with everyone in English.
I want to make a claim on the club's insurance.
Complete the claim form provided on this page. You will also need to talk to a committee member so we can complete relevant parts of the form.