We all know about the Grassington based Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and the work its volunteer members do throughout the year to help those in potential life threatening situations visiting our area, but what is less known is its outdoor club for young people, who every week do caving, abseiling, and general mountaineering skills. UWFRA’s David Dennis reports.

AS well as saving lives, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) runs an outdoor club for young people - and its busy training potential rescue volunteers for the next generation.

Set up 16 years ago, and based at the team’s headquarters at the Hut, Hebden Road, Grassington, the club meets every week for a variety of activities, including climbing, caving, navigation, sailing and fell walking.

The club was founded by members of the fell rescue team in an attempt to try and encourage young people to become familiar with fell rescue techniques and activities, so perhaps one day they too can join the fell rescue team.

It is also a great, and fun, way to teach young people how to be safe in what can be potentially risky situations and conditions - and also to be a help to others.

Activities are usually led by members of the rescue team or other experienced members and ages range from around just ten years old to 18 - the team does stipulate that those under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent, or guardian.

David Dennis, of UWFRA, said the club had gone from strength to strength over the years, with many youngsters reaping benefits.

“Some have even gone on to become team members - the surface leader Matt Richardson and Aly Brook our assistant surface leader being two current examples,” he said.

“The team also has Scott Haslim, who not only went on to forge a career as an outdoors instructor but came back to the outdoors club as an adult instructor.”

Scott, 20, said: ’ I joined the club when I was 14 years old. From the very first activity - a weekend meet in the Lake District, I was amazed at what was going on -multi pitch climbing up rock walls hundreds of feet tall it was unlike anything I had experienced before. “

Scott said he found it all ‘exhilarating’ compared to what he had experienced as a typical teenager.

“Prior to all this I had been just a typical teenager, but now my weekly activities included caving, mountain biking and climbing, and even simulated rescues giving me experiences and teaching me skills that are just not available anywhere else.

“I achieved such a lot and I feel this is all thanks to UWFRA’s outdoor club and its inspirational leaders.”

Mark Rowley, founder club leader, and fell rescue team member, is full of praise for the young people.

‘’They are super kids and they are up for anything,” he said.

The club has now brought in a grading scheme where members can pass levels of achievement in activities.

The scheme records members progress in the learning of the skills necessary for taking part in sports in the outdoors - and to make it more straightforward, and to accommodate individual members interests, the system has been divided into three categories - climbing, navigation and fell walking, or general mountaineering skills.

The lowest, level one, can be achieved at just one evening with the club; while level two is more comprehensive, including minimum basic skills, but essential to ensure safety on longer trips in the Dales. The highest, level three, will only be achieved by a small number of members and can take a number of years to reach. Gaining level three would benefit someone wishing to make a career in outdoor pursuits or joining the National Instructor Scheme or becoming a full member of a rescue team.

At each level and in each category there is a list of tasks to be achieved, these are then checked by a committee member or a member that has completed the next higher level.

Planned trips include an indication of the difficulty of the trip, and so, for example, a caving trip, judged to be a level two, will only be attended by club members who have achieved the level.

Recording progress is voluntary. Some members just take part in level one trips, and have no interest in keeping records, while others will complete tasks, ticking them off and progressing to the next task.

“It really works wells, “ said Mark.’’Log books are similar to those used by the Mountain Leadership Board as well as the local Cave and Rescue Leaders Scheme. Level three is an extremely high level and may take several years but would benefit someone wishing to make a career in outdoor pursuits or joining the National Instructor Scheme or indeed becoming a full member of a rescue team .

“UWFRA are delighted they have produced outdoor club members for both of these achievements. Many of the youngsters are thrilled to reach the lower levels – buy what really matters is that we all just get out there and enjoy ourselves.”

There are currently 30 members of the club, it costs just £30, for under 18s and £36 for adults, to belong, which mainly covers the insurance costs. The fell rescue team has received funding from North Yorkshire Police.

For Halloween, members came dressed for the occasion, while there will be a Christmas quiz night on December 18.

To find our more about the club, and how to sign up., visit its website: uwfraoutdoorclub9