What is SUSS – Sheffield University Speleological Society?

Updated

SUSS (Sheffield University Speleological Society) is the student caving club at the University of Sheffield, and shefcavers.org.uk is its official website. The site is aimed at students in Sheffield and anyone curious about caving who wants to know what the club does and how to get involved. According to the club's own homepage, it has been caving around the country and the world for more than 60 years and describes itself as one of the most successful and active university caving clubs in the UK.

What the club does

The homepage lists a regular programme of activity rather than a one-off calendar:

  • Evening caving trips in the Peak District
  • Rope training sessions for newcomers
  • Caving weekends away every other week during term time
  • Weekly pub meet-ups every Thursday
  • Socials every few weeks

The mix matters if you are deciding whether to try caving: the club pairs regular local trips with training, so beginners are not expected to arrive with rope skills already in place.

Who it is for

SUSS is a university society based in South Yorkshire, so its core audience is Sheffield students. The homepage states plainly that the club is "always happy to welcome new faces," which signals that prior caving experience is not a requirement.

If you are not based in Sheffield, the site points elsewhere: it directs readers to newtocaving.com for general information on caving and how to get involved.

What you will find on the website

The site functions as the club's online home. From the homepage you can:

  • Read trip reports to see what the club has been doing
  • Find out how to get involved
  • Use the Subscribe page if you want to receive club updates

The homepage also sets expectations honestly, noting that caving is "not just wet, muddy, dark and cold" and inviting visitors to see what the club is really about.

Quick reference

Question Answer
What is it? Student caving club at the University of Sheffield
Where? Sheffield / South Yorkshire, with trips in the Peak District and further afield
How long established? More than 60 years
Experience needed? No — rope training is offered for newcomers
Not in Sheffield? See newtocaving.com for general caving information

If you are a Sheffield student considering your first caving trip, the practical next step is to check the site's involvement information and trip reports, then come along to a Thursday pub meet or an evening Peak District trip. If you are outside Sheffield, start with newtocaving.com instead.