As one of the best universities in the UK for participating in Adventure Sports, Bangor has always been one of the first choices for aspiring climbers, kayaker and fell-runners to choose. Having such a vast array of world class natural resources mean that much climbing and canoeing talent has been nutured here, with alumni in recent years including Tim Emmett, James McHaffie, Pete Robins, Noel Crane, Adam Wainwright and many more older and famous names.
So it wasn’t too much of a surprise to see two £500 scholarships going to a Kayaker and a Fell Runner. However receiving free training advice and the free use of Maes Glas Sport Facilities were
Receiving the Bursaries were:
George Ullrich of Kendal, a first year Design & Technology student at Bangor University. As a traditional Lake District climber, 19 year old George recently featured in the Dave Gill film ‘Call it What You Want’. (Trailer below)
‘Call it what you want’ Official Trailer from SteepMedia on Vimeo.
Nineteen year old Sam Hamer of Pocklington, studying Environmental Management. A former member of the British climbing team Sam has a broad climbing experience and having climbed in Europe, Africa and South America. His training involves a lot of climbing on an indoor wall and specific training such as fingerboard, campus board, bar work (any self deserving climbing needs to do bar work, usually involves pints of beer though), running and gym work. Commenting on the Bursary, he said, “The rock climbing in north Wales is some of the best in the UK and Bangor’s situation is perfect with the sea and the mountains on your doorstep.”
The university reports that “Sorle Haywood is 20 and in her first year studying Sports Science & Outdoor Activities at Bangor University“. However Sorle is a twenty year old man and a keen climber. Winning the Welsh Universities Climbing Competition in 2008 and coming third in the British Universities’ Championships. Sorle is a bit of a local strong man who has developed his immense strength at the Indy Climbing Wall. Even more amazing was that last year he had a very nasty accident removing the tips off a couple of fingers. Here’s a video of him climbing at the Great Ormes making the first ascent of Breck Road Link