Surf’s up for an extreme lecture

The science of extreme sports is to be explored by North East secondary school students at an event here.

Huw James, an avid adventurer and qualified scientist, will deliver the Tees Valley Engineering Partnership (TVEP) Christmas lecture to students aged 11 to 14 at the University, on both Monday 13 December and Tuesday 14 December.

Science junkie The lecture is appropriately entitled ‘Science Junkie’ as Huw and fellow presenter Greg Foot have formed their own company with the same name.

The duo of scientists has spent years boarding, climbing and surfing and refer to the science behind their daredevil experiences in practical demonstrations.

Huw’s interactive lecture to students from across the Tees Valley and Durham will: >demonstrate just how risky rock climbing really is >show what happens when you fall at terminal velocity through the earth’s thin atmosphere >uncover how waves are generated to provide the perfect surf platform and provide a source of alternative energy >display how physics keeps bicycles stable on different surfaces and weather conditions.

Joe Bulmer, from the University’s schools and colleges partnerships team, said: 'Science Junkie will be a fast moving interactive lecture looking at the engineering issues behind extreme sports. We’re sure it will be a really popular lecture and hope the visiting students feel suitably inspired by this different display of science.'

Huw James said: 'We all get told science is all around us but what I’m trying to show is how a science knowledge base can actually make you better at stuff in your everyday life. It just turns out that in my everyday life I surf, rock climb and mountain bike!'

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