This years CHECC seminar took place at South Wales Caving Club on the weekend of 20th-22nd of November 2009. We had just under 200 attendees from clubs across the UK.

The 8th CHECC forum was a huge success despite the weather being against us and the last minute change of venue. Friday evening was the club fancy dress competition, and the effort put in by everyone this year was outstanding! Cardiff stole the show with their Alice in Wonderland theme, and the boys did look lovely in their frocks :)

Saturday was a busy day of activities with the majority of people heading underground to explore the delights of the OFD system. There were also a number of training sessions throughout the day to brush up on various caving essential skills. There were courses in SRT and ladders, and cave surveying. Later on in the evening, after a very fiilling meal of chilli and a CRO callout in Craig-of-Fynnon (non-CHECC related), the disco and various competitions began.

Competition Winners SRT Obstacle Course (girls): Jinni King (Cardiff) SRT Harness (Starless River) SRT Obstacle Course (boys): Sam Deeley (Cardiff) Tackle Sack and Bra Harness (Phoenix) Ladder Climb (Girls): Cat Hulse (Bristol) Tackle Bag (Beast), "Diving in Darkness" (Descent) Ladder Climb (Boys): Geoff Damels (Bristol) Headtorch (Bernies)and "Diving in Darkness" (Descent) Speed Blindfolded Knot Tying: Mike Topsom (Manchester) A year's worth of Descent Freshers Literacy Prize: Annie Leonard (Manchester) Light and Headset (Bisun) and "It's Only a Game" (Descent) Beer Pong: Cardiff Bunk nights (Wessec Cave Club and Orpheus Caving Club) Club Fancy Dress: Alice in Wonderland theme (Cardiff) Bunk nights (MCG and YSS) >Individual Fancy Dress: Mandy - Super Mario (Manchester) "The Game Goes On" (Descent), Knee and Elbow Pads (HitchNHike) Squeeze Machine: Sophie Deal (Plymouth A&E) "Into the Cloud Forest" (Speleoprojects) Pan and Sling Game: Tilda and Xian (Aberystwyth) Bunk Nights (Bradford PC) < ;strong>Surveying: Boys from Southampton 2 x Petzl Headtorch (Lyon) Newbie Photography Comp: Alistair Begley (Exeter) Petzl Transporter (Lyon) Club Pro Photography Comp: Alex Henderson (Exeter) Neofleece (Warmbac) Best Club Photo: Cardiff Large Tackle Sack (Caving Supplies) CHECC Poster Competition: Manchester 30m Rope (Inglesport)

Sunday was another day of underground adventure for some and afternoon of talks by Jopo, Chris Jewell and Henry Rockcliff on Cave Rescue, Culiembro and Expedition Caving. The AGM was held to close the event and new committee members were elected. Click HERE to see who will be running the events next year. For more photos, see our facebook group. Huge thanks to all our sponsors, SWCC for letting us host the event on their premises and everyone who contributed in some way to making the event a success, whether it was helping with the catering, organising, setting up and clearing up the venue afterwards, looking forward to seeing you all at the CHECC forum next year!