South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group

Dinas Area (Sychryd & Lower Mellte) Code of Conduct Training – 2022 Update available NOW for ALL Gorge-Walking Providers and Leaders

2 Mar 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

SWOAPG has published a new online training course comprising 2022 updates to our Gorge-Walking Code of Conduct Training for the Dinas Area (Sychryd and Lower Mellte gorges); which can only be completed once the ‘main’ (2021) training courses have been completed. Representatives of all Gorge-Walking Providers are required to complete this training before they will … Read more

New ‘Camping Leader’ qualification from Mountain Training

2 Mar 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

A new Mountain Training qualification, Camping Leader, replaces the Expedition Skills Module which will be phased out on 1st June 2022. Everything you may wish to know is on the website page:https://www.mountain-training.org/qualifications/walking/camping-leader

Nature and Us – join the national conversation about Wales’ natural environment

18 Feb 202217 Feb 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

Nature and Us is a year-long project starting TODAY to involve the people of Wales in a national conversation about the future of our natural environment. The aim is to develop a shared vision for the year 2050, by encouraging people of all ages to share views about their relationship with the natural environment and … Read more

REMINDER – Calling all Waterfall Country Gorge Providers: Practical Workshop 16 Feb

7 Feb 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

Thanks to those gorge users who’ve already signed-up for this workshop to help us consider how Activity Providers can help care for these special places, on Wed 16 Feb from 8.30am to 12pm, based at Clyn Gwyn Car Park. If you’re expecting to attend, please confirm place(s) using the RSVP facility on our website event … Read more

Dinas Rock Changing Screens are being re-built!

4 Feb 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

The changing screens at Dinas Rock have been removed temporarily as they’re being re-built by NRW – at short notice and hopefully even better than before (we’ve made a few suggestions for improvement). In the meantime, users should change in the car park as discreetly as possible. Apologies for any inconvenience…

WG update on Outdoor Learning and residential visits

1 Feb 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

We’ve received the following message from AHOEC/OEAP representatives: “Just a brief update on the AHOEC/OEAP meeting with the team from WG education last week. There was much discussion on overseas visits which probably doesn’t impact on the Wales based OL sector too much but will be important for advisers and anyone who is arranging expeditions. … Read more

Calling all Waterfall Country Gorge Providers: Practical Workshop 16 Feb

30 Jan 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

Further to our recent message (repeated below), we have now arranged for a practical workshop for key gorge users to consider how Activity Providers can help care for these special places, on Wed 16 Feb from 8.30am to 12pm, based at Clyn Gwyn Car Park. To confirm place(s), please use the RSVP facility on our … Read more

Missing and loose stones at Loonies’ Leap

30 Jan 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

Thanks to Call of the Wild for the following report and photos: “There are some loose/ missing stones at the jump point at Loonies Leap, please check the stability before leading clients there. It is easily managed just be mindful of the hazard and monitor. There is also some fresh rockfall to monitor at the … Read more

Closure of Taff Trail at Abercanaid 31 Jan-1 Feb

30 Jan 202230 Jan 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

Thank to Merthyr Tydfil Council for the following information: “We have been informed by Welsh Water that Tree work needs to be carried out on a section of the Taff Trail as marked on the attached plan, in order for them to complete the works they will need to close the trail for 2 days … Read more

Product Recall: Petzl Pirana Descender

30 Jan 202230 Jan 2022 by SWOAPG_admin

AdventureRMS has released the following Safety Management Update: Petzl have issued a recall of PIRANA descenders (D005AA00 and D005AA01) due to a drowning risk if the rope accidentally gets blocked in the blocking slot. Immediately stop using the descenders affected by this recall. Full details can be viewed here.