UBES has accumulated a few traditions over the years. They are entirely optional, but have become part of the Society’s history and character.
Unofficial Constitution
Alongside our official Constitution, UBES has an Unofficial Constitution containing the less serious motions passed by members at General Meetings over the years.
These motions are mostly a bit of fun and would be somewhat out of place in the document that actually governs the Society — although, technically, some are still binding.*
Members can propose amendments or new motions at the AGM, whether for the official or unofficial Constitution.
Read the UBES Unofficial Constitution 2023–24 →
*Several provisions have not been enforced for a number of years. Whether that continues is another matter.
Lake Bagging
Lake Bagging is one of UBES’s longest-running traditions. The aim is simple: fully submerge yourself in qualifying lakes encountered on UBES trips and collect points throughout the year.
There is no requirement to take part, and there is no requirement to swim — only to fully submerge according to the rules below.
Lake Bagging Honours
Current Record Holder: Olivia Hillsdon-Rogers — 60 points
2025–26 Winner: Olivia Hillsdon-Rogers — 60 points
Rules
- The competition runs from the first UBES trip of the academic year until the AGM trip, usually around the end of the Easter holidays.
- Only lakes bagged while on UBES trips score points.
- Only natural lakes named on a 1:25,000 map count towards the competition.
- A lake is bagged by fully submerging yourself. For participants with long hair, submerging to the neck and also submerging the face is sufficient.
- Scoring is 1 point for a full submersion, doubled for full nakedness and doubled again for breaking ice.
- The committee may award additional points for particularly notable “special heroics”.
- The English Channel, North Sea, Celtic Sea and Irish Sea are each treated as natural lakes for the purposes of the competition.
Lake Bagging has become surprisingly competitive over the years, with totals now exceeding 50 points in a single season. Whether you brave the waters of Eryri, Scotland or the Lake District is entirely up to you.
Submit a Lake Bag
Lake Bagging submissions are available through the UBES Linktree →.
