This year 11 members of Birmingham University Royal Naval Unit (BURNU) attended the Royal Navy Alpine Championships in Tignes, France, from 12th – 19th January 2019.
The Alpine Championships are organised every year by the Royal Navy Winter Sports Association and take place over a two-week period with around 500 Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel taking part during that time for one or both weeks of competition.
The BURNU students took part in lessons depending on their skiing ability and were also expected to take part in at least one race. This was a great opportunity for them to take part in an Adventurous Training package as well as push themselves towards their physical limits and operate outside of their comfort zones when it came to the downhill races.
The weather was testing at times however a lot of skiing was achieved and all attendees definitely felt that they improved no-end throughout the week. The instructors were very complimentary about the group’s performance and attitude, especially regarding the individuals who were beginners and had never skied before.
BURNU is one of 14 University Royal Naval Units located around the country offering opportunities to 700 undergraduates from the country’s leading universities in England, Scotland and Wales. Each unit has a P2000 Fast Inshore Patrol Crafts that together form the First Patrol Boat Squadron. Their primary role is to support the URNU but they also contribute to a wide range of Fleet tasking.
The aim of the URNU is to broaden Naval understanding and develop undergraduates who show potential to become the leaders of tomorrow, through maritime experience and exposure to the values and ethos of the Royal Navy.
URNU members are taken to sea at weekends and during their vacation periods. In addition they have opportunities to take part in sporting events, adventurous training activities and gain a CMI qualification all within a vibrant and friendly social scene.
BURNU meets every Thursday evening at HMS Forward, Birmingham’s Royal Naval Reserve Training Centre.
If you would like to find out more about the unit please call 0121 703 6379.