8th Day Adventure - www.8thdayuk.com

I've been a member for almost 7 years now (scary!) and yet I still get exactly what I want from the club: a great bunch of people to do outdoors activities with and even better, someone else to organise it all and take away all the hassle so that I can just show up and enjoy it!

Whether you want a weekday evening activity (climbing, running, ultimate frisbee, tennis, badminton, etc.), a weekend away (surfing, mountain biking, walking, running, general merriment), a holiday (watersports, skiing, snowboarding, etc.), or even something completely random (underwater hockey anyone??) you can guarantee you'll find something in the 8th Day calendar to suit you. And the best thing is you can dip in and out of it as much as you want to - you just sign up for those activities that you want to do when you're free to do them!

Unlike many other similar clubs there is absolutely NO emphasis on dating (although if you put a group of 20/30-something people who all have similar interests in the same place, clearly some people are going to end up together!) and it's just a really fun group of people who like to do something fun and active and then follow it up with a few drinks afterwards.

And if you're not really someone who'd describe themselves as 'sporty', that's fine too - members range from those that like the extreme activities, those that just like to give things a go for a laugh and those that get involved just to get to the pub at the end! :-)

Head to the monthly Social if you want to find out more but the best way to get to know everyone is just to sign up for one of the weekends away. Once everybody's seen each other in a wetsuit, or muddy gear, or pyjamas, or with a hangover from the night before, you'll find there's very little else you need to worry about!

Go on, you know you want to...

The 8th Day Adventure website does a pretty good job of explaining what they do, so I'll just add my thoughts on the group here. I've been a member on and off (due to periods living overseas) for about 5 years and have seen the club grow from strength to strength during this time. I was looking to meet people who wanted to actually get out there an do stuff rather than just work, eat, watch TV & sleep! There is really no limit to the events they organise, and if its not on the list you can suggest it. There's a big emphasis on meeting people, having fun, and often a beer or two involved. I have met some of my best friends through this club and many people have met their partners, but its not a singles only club. Its a great way to experience some of the more obscure events like sumo suit Olympics which is always a good laugh. The age group tends to be 20-40s. A great way to meet some people without the commitment is to head along to the social evenings once a month and chat to a few of the members! There are a few hundred members, so you get to know a core group pretty quickly. Highly recommended! Cam

I've been a member for over 6 years and have loved the range of activities that the club allows you to try, as well as the chance to meet fun outgoing people with similar interests. I became a regular mountain biker and sailor with different groups of passionate people. Although the club has a sports edge there is something for everyone, but it's better if you enjoy a yomp on a Sunday morning! Everyone is in the same boat and keen to meet others so it's the perfect social situation to meet people.

Graham

If you frequently find yourself at a loose end, have nobody to play with and want to meet loads of new people, then 8th Day UK is the place for you! I originally joined 6 1/2 years ago and just keep coming back for more. It is a great platform to get out amongst it and try something you might not have thought of before. Or maybe there is something you have wanted to do for ages and had nobody to do it with!

From a monthly social where you can meet new and existing members to the annual week long crazy ski trip, there is no shortage of things to do. I have done all sorts including climbing, sailing, horse riding, riotball (hilarious!), archery, skiing, wine tasting, surfing, cycling as well as weekends away to Dartmoor, Wales and Exmoor. Most of my friends are now within the club and you are never short of people to hang out with.

So if you want to be social, sporty and try something different, then get signed up. It will be the best thing you do this year!

As a recent arrival from Australia I joined 8th Day about 4 years ago... and I'm still a member. 8th Day provides a great group of people with a passion for having fun and taking part in new and challenging activities. I was pleasantly surprised that there was a strong English contingent compared with the Australian/NZ/Sth Africa mix I was expecting. It's one of the great things about London is that everyone is from somewhere else and I appreciated the opportunity to expand social circles outside those I would otherwise have mixed with.

I have had some of the greatest experiences with 8th Day - ranging from weekend cycles round London, wine tasting in Hyde Park, motor cross riding, dragon boat racing, seaside hikes, pool and poker nights, demolition derby, mountain biking the Brecons, ski trips in the Alps, surfing in Devon/Wales/Cornwall, Korfball, riotball and who can forget Dodge Ball. As well as of course the core component... socialising.

I have really appreciated the ability to take part in many activities without the pain of having to organise anything (either the event, accomodation or time in friends diaries) and have taken the opportunity to try things I wouldn't have otherwise done.

Not only that... but many of my now close friends have come from 8th Day and as a result it has really enhanced my London experience.

I've been a member for several years, and not only do they organise weekend trips, they also have weekly events almost every day. All events are a mixture of a challenging activity within a great social atmosphere. There is also a nice blend of 'regulars' and new members, so you don't keep seeing the same faces all the time, nor will you never not know anyone at an event. However, it's not a club for 'lazy people' or 'armchair athletes'!

I became so hooked that I now host the weekly climbing session on Monday night, and we have a range of abilities, as well as a good social scene afterwards in the pub (you don't have to drink alcohol).

The club is a great way to meet like-minded people who are social but also want to participate in a physical activity that's challenging.

London is not the easiest place to meet new people (it's very cliquey), and lots of existing social clubs just seem to meet in bars without any physical activity to 'join' them together. Instead, each 8th Day event (weekly or weekender) is well organised, involves a specific activity, encourages new members to join/meet, and also includes transport details, plus the on-line payment is secure.

I love being a member, and will continue to be one!

Nick W

It's a membership club based in London, which runs and hosts all kinds of events, from wine tastings to Ski weeks and everything in between.

Ages are from 20's to 40's and the emphasis is on fun, not being great at a particular sport, which is lucky for me! Plenty of socialising and a great way to meet new people in London. Small yet perfectly formed, it's a great addition to my social life, and takes the stress out of organising stuff I just click, pay the discounted rate, and turn up. Ideal. I'd recommend it to anyone who knows there's more to life than the rat race...