South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group

10 Dec 2024 SWOAPG Annual General Meeting (online)
2024-12-10 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
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
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

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
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

17 Jan 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-01-17 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

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

23 Jan 2025 Camping Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-01-23 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.£95, Abercraf

23-24 Jan 2025 BCA Vertical Leader Training (by Tom Partridge)
2025-01-23 00:00 - 2025-01-24 23:59
£200ppVertical Leader core skills and group day assessments on request

25-26 Jan 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-01-25 00:00 - 2025-01-26 23:59

29-31 Jan 2025 Hill & Moorland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-01-29 00:00 - 2025-01-31 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.£270, Abercraf.

31 Jan-1 Feb 2025 Cave Leader Training (by Richard Hill)
2025-01-31 00:00 - 2025-02-01 23:59
£200/person

A two day training course concentrating on leadership in horizontal cave systems including; Geology, Cave Development, Conservation, Weather, Hazard Awareness, Equipment and Basic Ropework.

9 Feb 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-02-09 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.£100, Swansea

10 Feb 2025 CPD Workshop: Learn about…Bannau Brycheiniog Reservoirs
2025-02-10 00:00 - 23:59
First of two repeated workshops – second on Fri 7 March

In conjunction with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW), the aim of this workshop will be to enable instructors who use reservoirs; particularly those in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park; to both appreciate them better and be able to educate their clients about them – but will also serve to build a stronger SWOAPG relationship with DCWW and help us secure continued access to reservoirs for paddlesport. This ‘pilot’ workshop, if successful, could become a regular fixture and perhaps even a requirement for users of the Bannau Brycheiniog Reservoir Passport Scheme. The workshop will take the form of a ‘short day’ (9.30am-2.30pm), based at Pontsticill and including a presentation, a reservoir visit and a tour of a local water treatment works (e.g.Talybont, since the Pontsticill works itself is now unable to accommodate us that day). Each workshop will be restricted to a maximum 12 participants. Book ‘tickets’ using the buttons below.

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

Bannau Brycheiniog Reservoir Passport Holders (we will ask for evidence!): one FREE place (employed staff only) for each 2024 passport held

Other SWOAPG Members and Supporters: £20 for first employee, £10 each for additional employees (regularly employed staff only, up to 1 staff per Member in first instance, please e-mail the organiser if you wish to book more places).

Non-Members: £53 (this will include Associate Membership until 31 March 2026, 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.

10-11 Feb 2025 Lowland Leader Training (by Storey Arms OEC)
2025-02-10 00:00 - 2025-02-11 23:59
The Lowland Leader qualification has been designed for people who wish to lead groups on day walks in lowland countryside and woodland in summer conditions. You will need to complete the training course prior to taking part in the assessment. The course will be a mix of some theory and mainly practical elements following the Lowland Leader syllabus. The course will be based from The Tongwynlais, at the foot of Castell Coch in Forest Gynnal. This central location allows for quick access the all the venue, and only 10 minutes away from Cardiff by train to Taffs Well train station. Non residential £135 pp

12-13 Feb 2025 Lowland Leader Assessment (by Storey Arms OEC)
2025-02-12 00:00 - 2025-02-13 23:59
The Lowland Leader qualification has been designed for people who wish to lead groups on day walks in lowland countryside and woodland in summer conditions. The assesment will be based from The Tongwynlais, at the foot of Castell Coch in Forest Gynnal. This central location allows for quick access the all the venue, and only 10 minutes away from Cardiff by train to Taffs Well train station. Non residential £140pp.

12-14 Feb 2025 Hill & Moorland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-02-12 00:00 - 2025-02-14 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.£250, Abercraf

15-16 Feb 2025 Lowland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-02-15 00:00 - 2025-02-16 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.£170, Gower

Wed 26 Feb 2025 CPD Workshop: Learn about…the Black Mountain
2025-02-26 00:00 - 23:59 | Craig-y-Nos Country Park, Pen-y-Cae, Swansea, SA9 1GL, United Kingdom
Rescheduled from 14 Feb

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: £53 (this will include Associate Membership until 31 March 2026, 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.

26-28 Feb 2025 Hill & Moorland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-02-26 00:00 - 2025-02-28 23:59

4-5 Mar 2025 Cave Leader Training (by Richard Hill)
2025-03-04 00:00 - 2025-03-05 23:59

7 Mar 2025 CPD Workshop: Learn about…Bannau Brycheiniog Reservoirs
2025-03-07 00:00 - 23:59
Second of two repeated workshops – first on Mon 10 February

In conjunction with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW), the aim of this workshop will be to enable instructors who use reservoirs; particularly those in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park; to both appreciate them better and be able to educate their clients about them – but will also serve to build a stronger SWOAPG relationship with DCWW and help us secure continued access to reservoirs for paddlesport. This ‘pilot’ workshop, if successful, could become a regular fixture and perhaps even a requirement for users of the Bannau Brycheiniog Reservoir Passport Scheme. The workshop will take the form of a ‘short day’ (9.30am-2.30pm), based at Pontsticill and including a presentation, a reservoir visit and a tour of the water treatment works. Each workshop will be restricted to a maximum 12 participants. Book ‘tickets’ using the buttons below.

10-12 Mar 2025 Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment (by Storey Arms OEC)
2025-03-10 00:00 - 2025-03-12 23:59 | Storey Arms OEC, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8NL, United Kingdom
The Hill and Moorland Leader award is designed for people who want to lead groups in the hill and moorland areas of the UK and Ireland. Candidates would have needed to complete the Hill and Moorland Training before the assessment. The course will be based from The Storey Arms OEC, at the foot of Pen y Fan in Y Bannau Brycheiniog. This central location allows for quick access the all the park, and only 40 minutes away from Cardiff. Non residential £240pp.

12-13 Mar 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-03-12 00:00 - 2025-03-13 23:59

Fri 14 Mar 2025 CPD Workshop: Learn about…the Central Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
2025-03-14 00:00 - 23:59 | Pont ar Daf Car Park, https://w3w.co/hiker.steps.purifier
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 ‘central Beacons’ (aka Bannau Brycheiniog – or the Pen y Fan massif!). 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: £53 (this will include Associate Membership until 31 March 2026, 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.

26-28 Mar 2025 Hill & Moorland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-03-26 00:00 - 2025-03-28 23:59

6 Apr 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-04-06 00:00 - 23:59

7-8 Apr 2025 RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme inc. Inland and Coastal Waterways (by Tom Partridge)
2025-04-07 00:00 - 2025-04-08 23:59
£220 – based in South Wales

16-17 Apr 2025 Lowland Leader Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-04-16 00:00 - 2025-04-17 23:59

22 Apr 2025 FUNdamentals of Climbing 1 (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-04-22 00:00 - 23:59 | Dynamic Rock, Swansea, SA6 5EJ
£100 a day for BMC members and worth 1 CPD point for MTA and AMI members. Info and booking via the link…
