Join the BBU
BBU Talent Search
Membership prices are as follows:
Associate Member
of the British Biathlon Union
£
25
- Eligibility to race for BBU Prizes
- The Right to Vote
- BBU Newsletter
- 10% BBU Store Discount
Further Details
Eligibilty to Race for BBU Prizes
Eligibility to race for BBU Prizes at the British Championships in Ruhpolding (Ex Rucksack)
You get a say in the future of the sport
The BBU Newsletter bringing you all the action of British Biathlon
10% off of all goodies on the BBU store
Full Member
of the British Biathlon Union
£
55
- All Associate Perks, PLUS:
- Personal Liability Insurance (Details Below)
- Personal Accident & Travel Insurance (Details Below)
- Eligibility to race for GB
Further Details
You get all of the perks included with the associate membership.
This covers you in the event of an accident. It will pay out in the event of a bodily injury (to you). So should you be injured in the course of either training (including things like running, cycling etc.) or competition then the policy will pay out. There are two categories – Category A is for coaches and Category B is for biathletes. Benefits include – broken bones, dental expenses, hospitalisation, physiotherapy, accidental death and permanent disabling injuries, a full list of the benefits can be accessed from the BBU.
Personal Accident & Travel Insurance
The Public Liability insurance you receive as an affiliated member will protect you if you are held responsible and are negligent for causing injury to a third party or have caused damage to a third parties property, whilst involved in BBU recognised activities (including training).
Cover for the coaches / instructors will also include the professional advice they provide whilst coaching, provided that the activity falls within the remit of your approved training or qualifications.
The ability is down to you!
Insurance
OK the serious bit. When it all goes wrong insurance is helpful, most would say essential. In fact, to take part in any championship – even the military ones – you need it. So here’s the summary of what you are getting. The cover below will last for the duration of your year-long membership of the BBU It covers you for all biathlon related activity including all types of legitimate training. You will be pleased to hear that if you take out full BBU membership the cost of the insurance alone is 50-70% cheaper than the equivalent on the open market.
BBU Membership incorporates 3 types of insurance, all of which are required when taking part in Biathlon competition. The link below will give you full details on the BBU insurance including how to make a claim.
How to get into Biathlon
The best route in to biathlon is through local clubs. Whilst it is a small sport there are a few clubs in the UK that cater to it. We don’t have lots of snow in Britain but there is a possibility to roller-ski. It is also worth saying that whilst the international competitions run by the IBNU are the pinnacle of biathlon races there are other on snow events that you can enter at a lower level and at any age. Below is some information that will help:
Shooting
Live Rifle Biathlon
There are limited opportunities in the UK to try biathlon with live rifles. Even if you have experience with live rifles there are number of differences between a 0.22” sport and biathlon rifles. Glenmore Lodge (in conjunction with Cairngorm Biathlon & Nordic Club)
Multi-day biathlon and roller ski courses (Beginner to Advanced).
Further details: https://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/first-aid-work-safety-other-courses/cat-29-biathlon/
British Biathlon Rifle Club
Single day biathlon courses (Novices to Advanced).
Further details: https://www.facebook.com/pg/britishbiathlonclub/posts/
Gun Clubs
Whilst gun clubs will not have 0.22” biathlon rifles or metal targets (with the exception of a number used by Richmond Park Biathlon in London) those with 50m ranges provide a number of opportunities for biathlon training.
Although heavier than biathlon rifles and a different support arrangement, 0.22” sports rifles can provide good training for aiming and sight adjustment. Many gun clubs hire 0.22” sports rifles for use on their range. For those that own a biathlon rifle they should be allowed to use it on the club’s range.
It should be noted that there may be limits on standing practice (because of ejected bullet cases dropping into the adjacent shooting position) and you are unlikely to be able to practice ‘out of breath’ shooting. Check with your local club what the options are, remembering biathlon is a little odd in the UK.
Laser Biathlon
Laser biathlon is becoming a popular way to try biathlon or train for shooting accuracy. They do not require a gun licence to be owned or a licenced range for operation so can be used at a greater number of locations compared to a live 0.22” biathlon rifle. Note that generally they are lighter than their live counter parts.
Laser Biathlon GB provide try-out sessions with Anshültz laser biathlon rifles.
Further details: http://www.canix.co.uk/lb_biathlon_rifle.shtml
Rollerski.co.uk provide combined laser biathlon and rollerski try-out sessions.
Laser Biathlon Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/laserbiathlon/
Further details: http://www.rollerski.co.uk
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing refers to the forms performed on compressed (pisted) snow. There are two official forms of cross-country skiing, classic and skate (aka free style). Modern biathlon uses skate.
There are a number of cross-country ski clubs in the UK. Most provide cross-country ski lessons on rollerskis. Some also run club on-snow holidays or to on-snow races. Even if they do not run trips most have a membership that can provide advice from experience on cross-country destinations and participating in public cross-country ski races, as well as in some cases Masters cross-country ski races and biathlon ski races.
Club contact details: https://www.britishnordic.org/local-clubs.
Roller Skiing
Roller skiing is cross-country without snow. Rollerskis are solid ‘skis’ of approximate length 66-79cm with wheels at each end. Standard cross-country bindings are attached to these and standard cross-country ski boots and poles are then used to ski on (usually) tarmac surfaces. It was originally developed as a way for cross-country skiers to train during the summer.
Training for Competitions
Find out about a range of activities you can do to prepare for National Biathlon events.
Anti-Doping
Find out about our anti-doping efforts and the rules surrounding the sport.
