South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group

18-19 May 2024 British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor Award course (by Steve Rayner Outdoor Pursuits)
2024-05-18 00:00 - 2024-05-19 23:59 (Europe/London)
The British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor qualification is for people aged 14+ whose main focus of work is delivering paddlesport taster/starter sessions within clubs, centres or other organisations. The qualification is not discipline specific and is suitable for instructors who work with paddlers from any of the competitive and non-competitive paddlesport disciplines.

The process of completing the qualification aims to help prepare candidates for their first paddlesport instructing role; ‘primed and ready’.

Venue: Brecon area

Cost £200 per person (non-residential).

Candidates need to:

be aged 14 or over;

be members of Canoe Wales / British Canoeing (etc.);

register for the Award with Canoe Wales / British Canoeing (etc.) – cost £46.80;

have attended a British Canoeing Awarding Body Paddlesport Safety & Rescue or Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT) course; and

have personal paddling (equivalent to the former 2*-level) and rescue competence in one type of craft (kayak, open canoe, sit on top, or stand up paddleboard).

1-5 Jul 2024 RLSS Core TA with NWSMP Specialism (by Tom Partridge)
2024-07-01 00:00 - 2024-07-05 23:59
Based in South Wales

£675pp

11-12 Jul 2024 Lowland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-07-11 00:00 - 2024-07-12 23:59
Join us for 2 days building the skills and knowledge required to lead groups in Lowland terrain in the UK. This Mountain Training approved course is run by an experienced trainer and includes post course support and learning material.

£160, Gower

12-14 Aug 2024 Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment (by Plas Pencelli)
2024-08-12 00:00 - 2024-08-14 23:59 | Plas Pencelli Outdoor Education Centre, Pencelli, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LX, United Kingdom
£305pp. Contact organiser for details and booking.

13-14 Aug 2024 Lowland Leader Assessment (by Plas Pencelli)
2024-08-13 00:00 - 2024-08-14 23:59 | Plas Pencelli Outdoor Education Centre, Pencelli, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LX, United Kingdom
£195pp. Contact organiser for details and booking.

15 Aug 2024 Camping Leader Assessment (by Plas Pencelli)
2024-08-15 00:00 - 23:59 | Plas Pencelli Outdoor Education Centre, Pencelli, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LX, United Kingdom
£90pp. Contact organiser for details and booking.

28-29 Aug 2024 Lowland Hill Leader Training (by Plas Pencelli)
2024-08-28 00:00 - 2024-08-29 23:59 | Plas Pencelli Outdoor Education Centre, Pencelli, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LX, United Kingdom
£160pp. Contact organiser for details and booking.

27 Sep 2024 Camping Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-09-27 00:00 - 23:59
Join us for a day demonstrating the skills and knowledge required to lead groups camping. We run a calm and relaxed assessment where you are given the opportunity to perform at your best and encouraged to learn something new too.£90, Abercraf

16-18 Oct 2024 Hill & Moorland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-10-16 00:00 - 2024-10-18 23:59
Join us for 3 days building the skills and knowledge required to lead groups in Hill & Moorland terrain in the UK. This Mountain Training approved course is run by an experienced trainer and includes post course support and learning material.£240, Abercraf

24-25 Oct 2024 Climbing Wall Instructor Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-10-24 00:00 - 2024-10-25 23:59
Join us for 2 days building the skills and knowledge required to take groups climbing indoors. This Mountain Training approved course is run by an experienced trainer and includes post course support and learning material.£160, Swansea

24-25 Oct 2024 NCC Guide Award Training (by Tom Partridge)
2024-10-24 00:00 - 2024-10-25 23:59
£150ppNCC Guide Award Assessments on request

31 Oct-1 Nov 2024 Lowland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-10-31 00:00 - 2024-11-01 23:59
Join us for 2 days building the skills and knowledge required to lead groups in Lowland terrain in the UK. This Mountain Training approved course is run by an experienced trainer and includes post course support and learning material.£160, Gower

6-7 Nov 2024 Lowland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-06 00:00 - 2024-11-07 23:59
Spend 2 days demonstrating the skills and knowledge required to lead groups in Lowland terrain in the UK. We run a calm and relaxed assessment where you are given the opportunity to perform at your best and encouraged to learn something new too.£170, Gower

8-10 Nov 2024 Hill & Moorland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-08 00:00 - 2024-11-10 23:59

12-13 Nov 2024 Vertical Cave Leader Training (by Richard Hill)
2024-11-12 00:00 - 2024-11-13 23:59
£200 per person. All kit provided. First day at Llangorse Wall and the second at an appropriate underground venue. It can be used to update your cave leader award.

Fri 15 Nov 2024 CPD Workshop: Learn about…the Black Mountain
2024-11-15 09:00 - 17:00 | Craig-y-Nos Country Park, Pen-y-Cae, Swansea, SA9 1GL, United Kingdom
***Postponed to 14 Feb 2025, due to insufficient numbers***

Come and join Alan Bowring (Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Geopark Development Officer) for an exploration of the geology, history and stories of the Black Mountain and its famous lakes. We’ll meet at Craig y Nos Country Park to get ourselves organised, then re-locate for a circular walk taking in Llyn y Fan Fawr, Llyn y Fan Fach and the Mynydd Du ridge to Fan Brycheiniog. Participants will need suitable fitness, clothing and equipment for a day’s mountain walk in the prevailing weather, including packed lunch / snacks. Book ‘tickets’ using the buttons below.

This is one of our series of practical, outdoor workshops providing opportunities for instructors and providers to learn about some of the areas we work in, both for their own education and to enable them to help their clients to better appreciate these special places.

This workshop is open to all South Wales outdoor instructors and SWOAPG supporters, for whom the following fees will apply:

SWOAPG Members and Supporters: £20 for first employee, £10 each for additional employees (regularly employed staff only, up to 3 staff per Member in first instance, please e-mail the organiser if you wish to book more places).

Non-Members: £52 (this will include Associate Membership until 31 March 2025, enabling you to attend other workshops before then at the Members’ rate).

Once you have booked, the organiser or workshop Provider will be in contact with you to confirm final details.
This event is of course subject to suitable weather conditions and we reserve the right to modify the route if necessary; if we need to cancel for any reason we will refund any fees paid.

16 Nov 2024 BMC Physical Training 1 (promoted by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-16 00:00 - 23:59 | Dynamic Rock, Swansea, SA6 5EJ
More info here and booking link here.

£90 for BMC members, £110 for non members

17 Nov 2024 BMC Coaching Children (promoted by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-17 00:00 - 23:59 | Dynamic Rock, Swansea, SA6 5EJ

20-22 Nov 2024 Hill & Moorland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-20 00:00 - 2024-11-22 23:59
Join us for 3 days demonstrating the skills and knowledge required to lead groups in Hill & Moorland terrain in the UK. We run a calm and relaxed assessment where you are given the opportunity to perform at your best and encouraged to learn something new too.£260, Abercraf.

28 Nov 2024 Camping Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-28 00:00 - 23:59

29 Nov 2024 Climbing Wall Instructor Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-11-29 00:00 - 23:59
Join us for a day demonstrating the skills and knowledge required to lead groups indoor climbing. We run a calm and relaxed assessment where you are given the opportunity to perform at your best and encouraged to learn something new too.£90, Swansea

4-6 Dec 2024 Hill & Moorland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-12-04 00:00 - 2024-12-06 23:59

5-6 Dec 2024 BCA Cave Leader Training (by Tom Partridge)
2024-12-05 00:00 - 2024-12-06 23:59
£180ppCave Leader core skills and group day assessments on request

10 Dec 2024 SWOAPG Annual General Meeting (online)
2024-12-10 18:30 - 20:00
This year’s AGM will once again be via Teams video-conference and will will include the usual ‘formalities’, a presentation on the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Sustainable Tourism Strategy; and discussion around proposals for monitoring engagement with public incidents in gorges; responding to the Glasbury-Hay concordat ‘pause’; and staffing shortages.

Please let us know in advance (RSVP using the button below, or by e-mail) if you are planning to attend, so we can prepare for the necessary voting processes.

Click here to Join the Teams meeting.

Draft Agenda:

Welcome & Apologies

Matters arising from 2023 AGM – See 2023 SWOAPG AGM Minutes

Overview of recent and planned activity – a brief summary of what we’ve been up to and what we are planning; to include proposals for monitoring engagement with public incidents in gorges and responding to the Glasbury-Hay concordat ‘pause’.

Annual Report & Accounts – see 2024 Annual Report and Accounts

Election of Steering Group, Directors and Chair – Cath Parker to be confirmed; Lee Garbett, Dave Grimes, Mike Smith to be re-elected as Steering Group Members. Dave Grimes to be re-elected as Director. Mike Smith to continue as Chair

2025 Membership Fees – ‘default’ inflationary increase agreed previously: Full Membership £98 & Associate Membership £33

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Sustainable Tourism Strategy – with Jo Maurice, BBNPA

Q&A Session – to include discussion around staffing shortages.

12-13 Dec 2024 Lowland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-12-12 00:00 - 2024-12-13 23:59

Fri 13 Dec 2024 CPD Workshop: Learn about…the Black Mountains
2024-12-13 00:00 - 23:59 | Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre, The Court House, Longtown, Herefordshire, HR2 0LD, United Kingdom
Come and join Alan Bowring (Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Geopark Development Officer) for an exploration of the geology, history and stories of the Black Mountains at the eastern edge of the National Park. We’ll meet at Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre where we’ll embark on a minibus-and-walking tour to various ‘points of interest’ throughout this mountain range. Participants will need suitable fitness, clothing and equipment for mountain walking in the prevailing weather, including packed lunch / snacks. Book ‘tickets’ using the buttons below.

This is one of our series of practical, outdoor workshops providing opportunities for instructors and providers to learn about some of the areas we work in, both for their own education and to enable them to help their clients to better appreciate these special places.

This workshop is open to all South Wales outdoor instructors and SWOAPG supporters, for whom the following fees will apply:

SWOAPG Members and Supporters: £20 for first employee, £10 each for additional employees (regularly employed staff only, up to 3 staff per Member in first instance, please e-mail the organiser if you wish to book more places).

Non-Members: £52 (this will include Associate Membership until 31 March 2025, enabling you to attend other workshops before then at the Members’ rate).

Once you have booked, the organiser or workshop Provider will be in contact with you to confirm final details.
This event is of course subject to suitable weather conditions and we reserve the right to modify the route if necessary; if we need to cancel for any reason we will refund any fees paid.

14-15 Dec 2024 Climbing Wall Instructor Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2024-12-14 00:00 - 2024-12-15 23:59

17 Jan 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-01-17 00:00 - 23:59

Fri 17 Jan 2025 CPD Workshop: Learn about…LLangattock escarpment and Eglwys Faen cave
2025-01-17 00:00 - 23:59 | Llangattock Quarry Car Park, 51.831556, -3.149136
Come and join Alan Bowring (Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Geopark Development Officer) and our local Cave Instructor(s) for an exploration of the geology, history and stories of the Llangattock escarpment and its caves. We’ll meet at Llangattock Quarry Car Park then walk to Eglwys Faen for an underground tour of this popular group cave. Participants will need suitable fitness, clothing and equipment for a walk and caving trip in the prevailing weather, including packed lunch / snacks. Book ‘tickets’ using the buttons below.

This is one of our series of practical, outdoor workshops providing opportunities for instructors and providers to learn about some of the areas we work in, both for their own education and to enable them to help their clients to better appreciate these special places.

This workshop is open to all South Wales outdoor instructors and SWOAPG supporters, for whom the following fees will apply:

SWOAPG Members and Supporters: £20 for first employee, £10 each for additional employees (regularly employed staff only, up to 3 staff per Member in first instance, please e-mail the organiser if you wish to book more places).

Non-Members: £52 (this will include Associate Membership until 31 March 2025, enabling you to attend other workshops before then at the Members’ rate).

Once you have booked, the organiser or workshop Provider will be in contact with you to confirm final details.
This event is of course subject to suitable weather conditions and we reserve the right to modify the route if necessary; if we need to cancel for any reason we will refund any fees paid.

18-19 Jan 2025 Lowland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-01-18 00:00 - 2025-01-19 23:59
Spend 2 days demonstrating the skills and knowledge required to lead groups in Lowland terrain in the UK. We run a calm and relaxed assessment where you are given the opportunity to perform at your best and encouraged to learn something new too.£180, Gower
