Membership

Most of you are, presumably, members of the organisation on whose Facebook page you found the link to this article,  but how many of you are members of other ‘clubs’ ? How many of you are members of race clubs, mountaineering clubs, climbing clubs …. knitting clubs …?

As lockdown restrictions start to come to an end, it is perhaps, a good time of reflection for all of us for many reasons but in particular those of us who are members of local clubs or associations. Whilst BASI and the Ski Club of Great Britain are no different in this reflection and with pandemic matters moving into new phases I feel it worth encouraging some consideration about our sport and our clubs.

It has certainly been a challenging year for BASI and other membership organisations, such as the Ski Club of Great Britain, with some questioning their purpose, possibly even their future. Perhaps some have even wondered about the very nature of our sport and its impact or their participation in it.

I’ll start on a personal note. I have barely skied over the last 12 months. I’ve had a couple of lessons with BASI L4 ISTD James Lockerbie at ChillFactore and last wore alpine skis at Castleford during October half-term.  I could have made more effort on off-snow fitness or trying to get a physique more like Tom Waddington instead of one of a 47 year old female who spends most of her time sitting about at home. I could have gone on more walks; afterall I live on the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast.

I did however, get my Nordic skis on for some Nordic skiing along the wooded forest tracks by Fylingdales Moor. My Nordic technique leaves a lot to be desired. I can only stop by falling over or using my poles as some sort of weird braking mechanism. The only way I can stay balanced is to Telemark. If you have ever tried to Telemark on Nordic skis it’s hilarious. It’s this lack of Nordic technique, and in particular the lack of being able to stop, that I am doing the Nordic cpd with BASI next month.

Despite feeling that I should have done more during lockdown, I didn’t.  The pandemic brought home to me the essentials of why I personally ski, climb, mountaineer, hill and coastal walk. The almost ephemeral, physiological and psychological boost of fresh air, views, nature, endorphin kick, adrenalin injection that I get from being on the hill up high (the higher the better); but there was something else. People. I haven’t worked from home. I haven’t lacked for work. I’m lucky; if you can call being an NHS Nurse during the pandemic lucky. So the need to fill a gap in social interaction isn’t there, but doing walks or crag scrambling on your own just isn’t as much fun or inspiring as doing it whilst being mocked or encouraged by friends. Interaction with others is, even in our quite individual orientated sport, missed and important. The benefits of club groups, of chatting through others experiences, sharing your own, gleaning ideas from each other over a coffee and a piece of cake in the café at ChillFactore is missed.

It could be argued that I, you, we, don’t need a club or association for that social interaction. I have a network of friends and contacts to ski, climb and mountaineer with but when that is examined, with a couple of very important exceptions, they all really sprang from the clubs and associations I am member of, most noticeably BASI and the Ski Club of Great Britain. Not all of them have remained friends with me for various reasons, but that isn’t the point. Some are now firmly friends that I hope and expect will remain so for life. Within that, the clubs and associations  I am members of refresh these contacts and friendships, and therefore related experiences and adventures as the membership churns and alters over time. Had I left the Ski Club at the point that I felt I had an established cadre of adventure buddies I would not have met others, some who now live overseas. It’s great having friends who live in the Alps !

With friends from the clubs I am members of I have layed footpaths, discovered rhubarb cider, seen some stunning scenery and significantly increased my salt intake with all the crisps and peanuts I ate at Rock Café in Saas-Fee. I’ve seen ice climbing World Championships  in Switzerland, learnt to navigate using a map and compass in Malham and shortly will be learning to Nordic ski on roller skis / skates at Tidworth. I have also enjoyed many days and evenings simply meeting up with other like minded people.

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The pandemic has obviously affected BASI, Ski Club of Great Britain and other, smaller more local clubs. Those that were affected by the pandemic and are registered as a business with business insurance can claim back their financial losses provided they have stopped over the pandemic and there have been no events organised for members to participate in. Those that were paying business rates on 1^st January are entitled to a grant.  

I believe that in our sport membership of clubs and associations is a hugely important aspect of society. It brings health and well-being benefits, it supports employment and industry and builds awareness of our environment. However,  it has its challenges, the environmental impact is one, its inclusivity another. The rights and freedoms we enjoy did not arrive without appropriate representation. There are others who see us as reckless, damaging, trespassers but they are, thankfully, in the minority.

Without a National guiding body we would lack that representation, access to training and similar important matters. Without local clubs we could be a large homogenous, under-representative bureaucracy run by a small elite. That chimes with other things at the moment.

I believe that there is an important place for local clubs post pandemic. Many people have discovered or re-discovered the outdoors whilst on lockdown. Many have been isolated from others. A supportive, social, space for them will be important.

As 2021 opens up, in terms of seasons and pandemic restrictions I would urge all the membership and prospective membership to similarly reflect. I hope that, like me, you will see the important benefits of Club and Association membership and a need for local clubs to thrive. I look forward to seeing you all again soon on the snow at a crag, or hill or up a mountain.

The British Mountaineering Council has a super article about clubs and their support and strategy for them (www.thebmc.co.uk/clubs-strategy) that is worth reading for those interested in that kind of thing.