When Dorien visited the intro days at Delft University in August she was looking for a sports club that allowed her to build on her free running skills, but also had an outdoor element (with summers in France in mind!). In the end there were two options: the Alpine climbing club, and Slopend, an outdoor-survival club. As the first one was attached to a traditional student fraternity (think social pressure and drinking) she started with Slopend, and fitted straight in. They basically have training twice a week, working on fitness and survival skills, mainly on manmade obstacle courses. In general it has similarities with the army, but then in a fun way. As Dorien is strong and fit she quickly started training with the inner circle, which now has become her social life in Delft.
She has participated in several events: The initiation and survival weekend was in the Belgian Ardennes (night time walk, sleeping outside, making your own fire, skin your rabbit, canoeing etc.). Dorien also participated in a daylong race that included running, mountain biking and canoeing, which you had to complete as a duo. Subsequently she helped organising a training weekend (with similar elements) in the Veluwe in early December (again no tents!). To close off the first part of the season she participated in a classic survival run in Dinxperlo, where they had to complete a track of 7 km, with many obstacles (see pictures below).
So, like Paula with her rowing, Dorien's life has been simplified to 4 elements: eating, sleeping, studying and Slopend! And there are many plans for the summer as well!
One of the obstacles in Dinxperlo
Dorien (right) getting over the next one
This is tough - going upwards
Archery was also part of the race
Happy at the start
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