The first mention of the windsurfing society was through a notice in the what’s on section in the McGarel in October 1980. The notice mentioned how enthusiasts would have to attend a meeting about completing a windsurfing course as a part of an induction to the society. During the academic year of 1980/81, the society managed to run two training courses and purchased two sailboards despite the lack of student union funding for the society. Training courses took place in Snodland near Maidstone. For the academic year of 1981/82, the society had training based at Thorpe Park, which was a Royal Yachting Association recognised training centre where proficiency certificates were awarded. In that year, the society was hoping to run courses earlier on in the term when the water wasn’t so cold. The society also expected to enter some inter-college competitions that year too. Within the first three weeks of training courses, 35 people had joined the society and attended the course at Thorpe Park. Around 70% of students who had joined the society, had gained their R.Y.A Proficiency certificates, which enabled members to enter races and organise trips to the sea. Sailboards were kept in Surrey Docks in London, where there was a large expanse of water allowing members to race and practise. On December 18th 1981, six members raced on the South Coast of Wales, in a competition organised by the Polytechnic of Wales.
In April 1982, intermediate courses were available for students at Thorpe Park and Chelmsford. A year later in 1983, the society had reopened with weekend tuition courses being available to students at reduced rates, with the well known London Windsurfing School. The course was accredited with the standards of the Royal Yachting Association, with students being awarded with a certificate for completing their tests at the end of the training period.
There was a squash tournament that took place in Paddington Squash Courts on 17th March 1974. In November 1974, members were able to practise on Tuesdays at North Kensington Squash Club with professional coaching for an hour and two courts being available. On Wednesdays, there were two squash courts available at Paddington Sports Club. Thursday's practice was at Swiss Cottage Swimming Baths and Sports Complex. Lastly on Friday’s, practice was allocated at the Abraxas Club which was also known as the Hampstead Squash Club in Belsize Park Gardens.
In January 1977, the society was also able to train at the newly opened Squash courts at 18-22 Little Titchfield Street. In March 1977, the society was at the top of the Seetech League Division 2A, and they were expecting to be going into the first division in the upcoming academic year of 1977/78. Mike McHugo won the Plate Competition for the society at the Seetech Individual Competition.
In November 1977, the club was knocked out in the semi-finals of the BPSA Cup and lost to Hatfield Polytechnic. In January 1978, the society was currently in third place in the Seetech Men’s League Division One.
During the time of November 1978, the society saw a rise of students that were interested in the society, which enabled the squash leagues to be extended until the end of January 1979, due to the court time being sparse.
The society also had a qualified instructor in North Kensington on Monday afternoons, that trained beginner students and advanced players.
The rise of students interested in the society grew increasingly at the freshers fair in October 1979, which meant that the society had to book extra courts at the club they usually played at on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
In October 1979, the society was eventually able to arrange coaching for beginners on Friday afternoons at the South Kensington Squash Club. Whilst at this time, the society had earned their place into the B.P.S.A Squash Competition that took place in March 1980. Both the men’s and women’s squash society’s at this time, began to play at the Wembley Squash Centre. In December 1979, the men’s first team qualified for the knockout stages of the British Polytechnic Cup for the first time ever in the society’s existence.
In February 1980, the men’s first team went to the top of the Seetech first division. Around this time a representative for the society, Peter Fall became a semi-finalist at the B.P.S.A Southern Area Individual Championships at Sandown Park. Nonetheless, Tony Downes and Kip Bhacker, who reached the quarter finals, both qualified for the National finals. Both Downes and Bhacker, along with Peter Fall and Carolyne Osner competed in the B.P.S.A National Individual Finals in Manchester. All four members qualified from the matches for the knockout stages. Downes reached the semi-finals to lose against the Southern Area Winner. In May 1980, the men’s first and second team unfortunately finished in second place in the first and second division.
In January 1981, members of the women’s and men’s squash society competed in the B.P.S.A Southern Individuals Competition in Sandown Park. Both Frank Allen and Peter Falla qualified for the finals in Manchester, whilst Amr Karim was knocked out of the competition earlier on. In May 1981, the society became the champions of the Southern England Championships. In December 1981, the Polytechnic hosted their first ever tournament for men and women knock out competition.
Shorinji Kempo is the Japanese translation of the Chinese Shaolin Ssu, which intertwines self defence techniques with zen meditation, and is based on Buddhist principles. Shorinji Kempo was established in the UK in 1974, and so was the Polytechnic of Central London Shorinji Kempo Society. The Shorinji Kempo Society was first mentioned in a sports timetable notice in the McGarel in October 1975. The society would usually have training in the Judo Room in Regent Street on Fridays 5pm-7pm.
In November 1977, members attended The British Shorinji Kempo Association convention, that was taking place for the 3rd time ever on Sunday 26th November 1977 at the Finsbury Leisure Centre. The previous convention 1976 was held in Bournemouth. The convention involved a day of many events such as Randori competition (free sparring), Embu (pair from display) and Group Kata display. Toshiho Sato was able to get into the quarter finals in the randori competition, Soon Liao and Nonaka came in 3rd position in the Embu competition, and in the group kata competition the club came in joint first place with the Bournemouth Team.
In the summer of 1979, a delegation from the British Shorinji Kempo Association including members of the Polytechnic’s society trained with French members in Paris. At the time, the society was represented at the fourth Shorinji Kempo Convention, where one of the members came in second position in the free sparring competition.
During the summer of August 1982, students from the society participated in a summer training camp at Kent University, Canterbury.
In November 1971, the first mention of the cricket society was through an advertisement persuading students to join, with training being based at Chiswick, Quintin Hogg Memorial Ground. In March 1972, there is again an advertisement for anyone interested in forming the cricket society with the possibility of a fixture being arranged. Occasionally, members trained at the indoor net practice at Alf Gover Cricket School in Wandsworth from 2.30pm-4.30pm. In June 1980, the society entered the B.P.S.A Cup quarter final by defeating Plymouth.
In October 1980, the society was able to use the facilities at the famous Lords Cricket Ground for winter indoor training.