South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group

26-27 Jul 2020 British Canoeing Core Coach Training (by Adventure Beyond)
2020-07-26 00:00 - 2020-07-27 23:59 (Europe/London) | Carmarthenshire

23 July 2020 River Usk: from Source to Sea (Part 1: the National Park)
2020-07-23 10:00 - 23:30 | Carmarthenshire
This is the fourth in a series of webinars taking the place of our usual workshop programme – watch this space for more events coming soon.
Join Alan Bowring of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority as he takes us on a virtual tour down the Usk from its source high on the Black Mountain through the National Park as far as Abergavenny, stopping on route to explore places of geological and historical interest. This e-tour will increase your own knowledge of the river and its valley ready for taking your own clients down parts of the river when all this is over!
NB you may find it useful to have to hand a copy of OS Explorer Maps OL12 & OL13 during the presentation.
Participants will be provided with a pdf of the presentation after the event.
If there is enough interest, Alan is prepared to offer Part 2: from Abergavenny to the Sea, at a later date!
Please RSVP (using the button on the website event listing; or by e-mail) to register your interest (NB this event is for SWOAPG Members only, so your credentials will be checked on booking. Members who have registered their interest will receive the Zoom link in due course – please contact us if you have not received this before the event).

CANCELLED 21-22 Jul 2020 British Canoeing Open Water Canoe Coach Training
2020-07-21 - 2020-07-22 | Carmarthenshire
***Cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic***
This 2-day Discipline Specific Training course you will focus on how to coach technical and tactical skills in Open Canoes on Moderate Open Water. The course will help you plan and deliver safe, enjoyable, progressive coaching sessions and you’ll explore specifics to help you coach some typical learners relevant to these craft in this environment.
You need to meet the following prerequisites before attending the course:

Full ‘on the water’ membership of Canoe Wales / British Canoeing (etc.);
Hold Canoe Leader (or former 4* Canoe leadership Award); and
Completed Core Coach Training (or the following ‘old’ British Canoeing courses, if you feel confident with their content: Level 2 (UKCC) Training OR Assessment; Moderate or Advanced Water Training OR Assessment; Level 3 (UKCC) Core Training OR Assessment.

Minimum 2, maximum 4 candidates.
Venue to be confirmed (somewhere in the Brecon area).
The course fee will be no more than £180, which includes coaching, equipment and certification. If more than 2 candidates attend, I will aim to reduce this fee if I can.

11-12 Jul 2020 16hr Outdoor First Aid course
2020-07-11 - 2020-07-12 | Carmarthenshire

9 Jul 2020 Gunpowder and Gorges webinar
2020-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Carmarthenshire
This is the third in a series of webinars taking the place of our usual workshop programme – watch this space for more events coming soon.
Join the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority to step back in time to when the works at Pontneddfechan were at their height of their production of gunpowder for the mining industry. Crammed into the steep gorge of the Afon Mellte, the remains of these works can still be found. The gorge was ideal for making this highly explosive product having a plentiful water supply for power and being isolated enough to safeguard the local community if anything did go wrong.
This will be a virtual guided walk to some of those buildings that have recently been conserved. They are now considered of such historical significance that they have been classed as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Find out about the geology that created these gorges and their unique environment and enjoy a re-telling of a local legend of faeries, hidden lands and the temptation of gold.
Please RSVP (using the button on the website event listing; or by e-mail) to register your interest (NB this event is for SWOAPG Members only, so your credentials will be checked on booking. Members who have registered their interest will receive the Zoom link in due course – please contact us if you have not received this before the event).

5 Jul 2020 Level 2 First Aid for Mental Health
2020-07-05 | Carmarthenshire

CANCELLED 2 Jul 2020 Pontneddfechan community liaison ‘surgery’
2020-07-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Pontneddfechan Village Hall, Pontneddfechan, Neath, SA11 5ND, United Kingdom
***Cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic***
SWOAPG Directors will be holding drop-in ‘surgery’ sessions for the Pontneddfechan local community on the 1st Thursday of every month from April to October 2020. These are intended as an opportunity for local residents to bring forward their observations about activity providers working in the area and to help us build constructive relationships with the local community in ‘Waterfall Country’.

2-3 Jul 2020 Practical First Aid for Outdoor Instructors
2020-07-02 - 2020-07-03 | Carmarthenshire
These 2 Day Courses are aimed at anyone working in the Outdoors and in particular, Outdoor Instructors. The courses are intended to provide the skills to deal with most First Aid situations in outdoor environments and the course is aligned with guidelines provided by HSE, BRC, MREW & BCRC.
Venue – Crickhowell
Price – £170 per person
More Information – https://www.garyevansoutdoors.co.uk/first-aid

20-21 Jun 2020 British Canoeing Slalom Coach Training
2020-06-20 - 2020-06-21 | Carmarthenshire

20-21 Jun 2020 British Canoeing White Water Kayak Coach Training
2020-06-20 - 2020-06-21 | Carmarthenshire

CANCELLED 20-21 Jun 2020 British Canoeing Core Coach Training
2020-06-20 - 2020-06-21 | Carmarthenshire
***Cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic***
Date To Be Confirmed
The British Canoeing Coach Award is an entry point qualification which offers discipline-specific pathways across all disciplines. The Award is designed for people whose core function is to coach paddlers who want to gain/improve paddlesport skills within the discipline chosen. This will include coaching beginners new to the sport, or paddlers looking to develop their skills in the given discipline or environment.
The Coach Award content is delivered through 2-day Core Coach Training and 2-day Discipline Specific Training (22 disciplines currently available, including Sheltered Water Kayak and/or Canoe; White Water Kayak; White Water Canoe; and Open Water Canoe).
The two-day Core Coach Training course introduces the shared coaching content that is relevant to all coaches at this level, exploring different approaches to coaching, understanding and enabling learning; and some core coaching skills. It is not specific to any one discipline and will make use of a variety of craft to explore different approaches to coaching and introduce some core coaching skills. The course will be a blend of classroom and water-based activity; and you will also be supported a personal coaching development plan to enable you to take your learning into practice after the course.
Subsequent Discipline Specific Training will then focus on how to coach discipline-specific technical and tactical skills, helping coaches to plan and deliver safe, enjoyable, progressive coaching sessions and explore specifics to help coach typical athletes/learners relevant to the discipline.
Venue to be confirmed (somewhere in the Brecon area).
The course fee will be no more than £180, which includes coaching, equipment and certification. If more than 2 candidates attend, I will aim to reduce this fee if I can.
Candidates need to have:

Full ‘on the water’ membership of Canoe Wales / British Canoeing (etc.); and
A base level of knowledge about the discipline(s) you wish to coach.

18 Jun 2020 Stargazing in the Summer Sky
2020-06-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Carmarthenshire
This is the second in a series of webinars taking the place of our usual workshop programme – watch this space for more events coming soon.
Join Nick Busby of Usk Astrological Society as he uses a full-screen planetarium with the Zoom platform to help us understand and be able to pass on to clients the wonders of our night sky (which is, of course, particularly spectacular in the Dark Skies area of the Brecon Beacons National Park).
Although it does not get very dark in the middle of summer there are still plenty of wonders to see in night sky, including most of the planets, the Milky Way, meteor showers and many deep sky objects. This talk will introduce beginners to star gazing and give tips on how to find and observe these objects. It will be assumed that the only equipment available is the human eye or at most a pair of binoculars.
Please RSVP (using the button on the website event listing; or by e-mail) to register your interest (NB this event is for SWOAPG Members only, so your credentials will be checked on booking. Members who have registered their interest will receive the Zoom link in due course – please contact us if you have not received this before the event).

12 Jun 2020 First Aid for Mental Health Webinar
2020-06-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Carmarthenshire
This is an external course provided by one of our Members, Rhys Green of Green Ideas.
Rhys is running these webinars every Friday during lockdown
There are three options with these courses; people can attend the webinar for free; or they can complete the regulated level 1 course at cost £30; or undertake the regulated level 2 course for £60. The introduction webinar is around 90 min, from there people have 2 weeks to complete the regulated courses. They are guided as 4 hours for the level 1 and 6 hours for the level 2, they can start and stop as they like and it is quite relaxed.

5 Jun 2020 First Aid for Mental Health Webinar
2020-06-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Carmarthenshire

CANCELLED 4 Jun 2020 Pontneddfechan community liaison ‘surgery’
2020-06-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Pontneddfechan Village Hall, Pontneddfechan, Neath, SA11 5ND, United Kingdom

3-4 Jun 2020 British Canoeing Sea Kayak Coach Training
2020-06-03 - 2020-06-04 | Carmarthenshire

CANCELLED 30-31 May 2020 Emergency / Outdoor / Aquatic First Aid Level 1 (1-day course) and 2 (2-day course)
2020-05-30 - 2020-05-31 | Carmarthenshire
***CANCELLED due to Covid-19 pandemic***
First day only for 1-day (8-hour) course; both days for 2-day (16-hour) course.
The 1-day course provides a basic level of knowledge and skill to render First Aid in a range of emergency situations within a reasonable distance of medical assistance. This course cover all the requirements for the Emergency First Aid at Work course as well as the British Canoeing Lifeguards Aquatic First Aid Level 1 Award. The 1-day course is an appropriate award for Paddlesport Instructors, Paddlesport Leaders, Sheltered Water Coaches (and Level 1 / 2 coaches) and for all paddlers and volunteers operating in and around the sheltered water environment. It is also an appropriate award for the BMC Climbing Wall Awards. The course takes place in a classroom environment, with an outdoor scenario whenever possible.
The 2-day course provide candidates with a level of knowledge and skill to render first aid in a range of emergency situations in an outdoor environment where advanced medical assistance may be delayed. This builds on the Level 1 Award to provide a 16-hour first aid qualification which covers all the requirements for the British Canoeing Lifeguards Aquatic First Aid Level 2 Award. The 2-day course is an appropriate award for Moderate Water Paddlesport Leaders and Coaches and for all paddlers and volunteers operating in and around the moderate water environment. It is also an appropriate award for other outdoor instructors/leaders including Mountain-walking leaders. The second day of the course takes place in a combination of classroom and outdoor environments.
Venue to be confirmed (somewhere in the Brecon area).
Cost £60 (1-day) / £120 (2-day)

28 May 2020 Geological e-Field Trip over Cribarth from Craig-y-Nos
2020-05-28 10:00 - 10:45 | Carmarthenshire
FINAL REMINDER – SPACES AVAILABLE!
This will be the first in a series of webinars taking the place of our usual workshop programme – watch this space for more events coming soon.
Alan Bowring (the Geoparks Officer for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority) will be hosting this Geological e-Field Trip over Cribarth from Craig-y-Nos (using the Zoom platform).
Join Alan as he takes us on a virtual walk up Cribarth from Craig-y-Nos, stopping to explore places of geological and historical interest. This e-Field Trip will increase your own knowledge of the area as well as giving you the information you need to take clients on the same trip ‘for real’ once lockdown ends!
NB you may find it useful to have to-hand a copy of OS Map OL12 during the presentation.
Please RSVP (using the button on the website event listing; or by e-mail) to register your interest (NB this event is for SWOAPG Members only, so your credentials will be checked on booking. Members who have registered their interest will receive the Zoom link in due course – please contact us if you have not received this before the event).

28-29 May 2020 RLSS NWSMP Training & Assessment
2020-05-28 - 2020-05-29 | Carmarthenshire
This RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP) Award is predominantly aimed at those working in, or close to, water in outdoor environments and is particularly suitable for Outdoor Instructors and Assistants.
There are three levels to the award:
Level 1 – Water Safety Awareness
Level 2 – Beach, River, Still Water
Level 3 – In Water Rescue
The programme starts with Level 1, the Water Safety Awareness Module, which provides the theoretical platform for more advanced modules. Environment Specific Modules cover hazards associated with beach, river and still water as well as basic rescue techniques. The In-Water Rescue Module covers essential in-water rescue knowledge and tests competence.
Endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive for its sensible, proportionate, reasonable and balanced advice to both those responsible for groups around the water margin or workers operating in, on or near water and in particular, managing the risk from operating around the water margin. The NWSMP awards are the most pragmatic solution for outdoor professionals working in coastal, river and water’s edge environments. It will complement your existing qualifications and will give you concrete evidence of your competencies to manage groups in and around water.
Venue – South Wales
Price – £195 per person.
More Information – https://www.garyevansoutdoors.co.uk/rlss-nwsmp

26 May 2020 SWOAPG Quiz
2020-05-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Carmarthenshire
Emyr Rees will be hosting an online quiz for SWOAPG Members, with rounds of general knowledge and outdoor interest (and, fingers-crossed, some enticing prizes!).
RSVP below to register your interest (NB this event is for SWOAPG Members only, so your credentials will be checked before we send you the link to join in).

26 May 2020 RLSS NWSMP Level 3 Rescue Management
2020-05-26 17:30 - 21:30 | Quest Adventures, 49 New Road, Porthcawl, CF36 5DH, United Kingdom
£49 RLSS NWSMP Level 3 Rescue Management, includes all learning materials, certification costs and full equipment.
On completion of the Water Safety Awareness module Level 2 River or Beach, candidates can elect to further their training by progressing to Level 3 in water Rescue techniques. Candidates can also achieve Life Support. At Level 3 candidates are required to enter the water, to experience the challenges of open-water and in-water Rescue Management.
WHAT TO BRING
Candidates are provided all equipment and educational materials required for the course. Attendees only need to provide suitable footwear and clothing for the environment.
Items provided will include wet suits, buoyancy aids, helmets, throw lines, APPE where required.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (NWSMP)
NWSMP: Supporting Employers/Volunteers, Protecting Employees/Volunteers
The NWSMP is a suite of interlinked training awards, specifically designed to assist those organisations with employees who work in, on or near water, to meet their civil and statutory safety management obligations (especially where employees have supervisory responsibilities).
It is endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive for its sensible, proportionate, reasonable and balanced advice to both those responsible for groups around the water margin, or workers operating in, on or near water and in particular, managing the risk from operating around the water margin.
The Programme has also been endorsed by the Outdoor Education Advisory Panel and Expedition Providers’ Association and was developed in close consultation with a number of relevant and key leading bodies including:

Health and Safety Executive
Expedition Providers’ Association
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Devon & Cornwall Police
Institute of Outdoor Learning
National Open Water Coaching Association
The Scouts Association
Outdoor Education Advisory Panel

Many people working near the water margins, receive minimal or no water safety training due to it often taking a back seat, when compared to more traditional and recognised health and safety training. Through consultation with industry and lead bodies, RLSS UK identified this gap in water safety training provision and launched NWSMP to close that gap, thus improving water safety across a wide range of working environments and operational sectors.
Who is it for?
Teachers, Technicians, Outdoor Activity Instructors, Countryside Rangers, Community Safety Wardens, Dock Workers, Construction Workers, the Emergency Services, Security Staff – everyone and anyone who works in, on or near water.
Flexibility
The NWSMP allows employers to construct relevant and meaningful training programmes by selecting and linking together those modules most suited to specific operational and individual needs. The programme recognises the need for flexibility, providing individual programmes which meet a wide range of training requirements across a broad spectrum of working environments.
Balancing Prevention and Response
The NWSMP programme embraces contemporary approaches to risk management by balancing the need for simple proactive safety management practices, with a strong focus on preventative measures, including effective emergency response skills.
Flexible Modular Framework relevant to a wide range of sectors
The NWSMP is built around a modular framework, this enables employers to construct relevant and bespoke water safety training programmes by selecting the modules best-suited to their operational or individual needs.
Aims of the NWSMP

Equip anyone working in, on or near water with essential knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about managing safety
Enable group leaders to deliver safer activity at open water sites
Develop occupational water safety skills for employees/volunteers working around the water margins
Facilitate compliance with Statutory and Civil obligations, especially the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 with related regulations and covering Safe Systems of Work
Develop effective Emergency Response Skills for those working in a water-based environment

NWSMP Syllabus
Level 1 – Compulsory (Dry Based, i.e. candidates don’t actually get in the water)
For those working or supervising near water who do not have a definite intention to get into the water, e.g. a School Teacher taking a group on a field trip.
Course Duration: six hours comprising of: Two hours Self Study – knowledge based; and Four hours Guided Learning (with a teacher) – interactive sessions
Level 2 (Low level water activity up to approx. thigh height)
For those who have a greater likelihood of getting closer to or in the water but with a definite intention to stay within standing depth, e.g. Construction Worker or Ranger working at the margins, teacher taking pupils rock pooling, pond dipping, etc.
Candidates MUST complete and pass Level 1 before undertaking Level 2. It is split into THREE different environments: Beach, River and Still Water.
Course Duration: three hours PER Environment
Level 3 (In-Water Rescue aimed at PROGRAMMED activities, but NOT free swimming as this would require the NVBLQ qualification)
For those with clients/people under their supervision, who might be swimming out of their depth, e.g. Outdoor Pursuit Instructor leading a deep water activity session, or those leading/supervising programmed open water activities, e.g. canoeing, kayaking, relays, etc.
Candidates must complete and pass Levels 1 and 2 before undertaking Level 3. Practised in the water, this level involves being able to do a 30m contact rescue and a 15m contact tow
Course Duration: two hours.
The award lasts for two years.

19 May 2020 RLSS NWSMP Level 2 Beach Safety Management
2020-05-19 17:30 - 21:30 | Quest Adventures, 49 New Road, Porthcawl, CF36 5DH, United Kingdom
£49 RLSS NWSMP Level 2 Beach Safety Management, includes all learning materials, certification costs and full equipment.
On completion of the Water Safety Awareness module Level 1, candidates can elect to further their training by progressing to Level 2 selecting one or more of the environment specific modules offered, covering Beach, River and Still Water. Candidates can also achieve Life Support. At Level 2 candidates are required to enter the water, to experience the challenges of open-water.
WHAT TO BRING
Candidates are provided all equipment and educational materials required for the course. Attendees only need to provide suitable footwear and clothing for the environment.
Items provided will include wet suits, buoyancy aids, helmets, throw lines, APPE where required.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (NWSMP)
NWSMP: Supporting Employers/Volunteers, Protecting Employees/Volunteers
The NWSMP is a suite of interlinked training awards, specifically designed to assist those organisations with employees who work in, on or near water, to meet their civil and statutory safety management obligations (especially where employees have supervisory responsibilities).
It is endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive for its sensible, proportionate, reasonable and balanced advice to both those responsible for groups around the water margin, or workers operating in, on or near water and in particular, managing the risk from operating around the water margin.
The Programme has also been endorsed by the Outdoor Education Advisory Panel and Expedition Providers’ Association and was developed in close consultation with a number of relevant and key leading bodies including:

Health and Safety Executive
Expedition Providers’ Association
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Devon & Cornwall Police
Institute of Outdoor Learning
National Open Water Coaching Association
The Scouts Association
Outdoor Education Advisory Panel

Many people working near the water margins, receive minimal or no water safety training due to it often taking a back seat, when compared to more traditional and recognised health and safety training. Through consultation with industry and lead bodies, RLSS UK identified this gap in water safety training provision and launched NWSMP to close that gap, thus improving water safety across a wide range of working environments and operational sectors.
Who is it for?
Teachers, Technicians, Outdoor Activity Instructors, Countryside Rangers, Community Safety Wardens, Dock Workers, Construction Workers, the Emergency Services, Security Staff – everyone and anyone who works in, on or near water.
Flexibility
The NWSMP allows employers to construct relevant and meaningful training programmes by selecting and linking together those modules most suited to specific operational and individual needs. The programme recognises the need for flexibility, providing individual programmes which meet a wide range of training requirements across a broad spectrum of working environments.
Balancing Prevention and Response
The NWSMP programme embraces contemporary approaches to risk management by balancing the need for simple proactive safety management practices, with a strong focus on preventative measures, including effective emergency response skills.
Flexible Modular Framework relevant to a wide range of sectors
The NWSMP is built around a modular framework, this enables employers to construct relevant and bespoke water safety training programmes by selecting the modules best-suited to their operational or individual needs.
Aims of the NWSMP

Equip anyone working in, on or near water with essential knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about managing safety
Enable group leaders to deliver safer activity at open water sites
Develop occupational water safety skills for employees/volunteers working around the water margins
Facilitate compliance with Statutory and Civil obligations, especially the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 with related regulations and covering Safe Systems of Work
Develop effective Emergency Response Skills for those working in a water-based environment

NWSMP Syllabus
Level 1 – Compulsory (Dry Based, i.e. candidates don’t actually get in the water)
For those working or supervising near water who do not have a definite intention to get into the water, e.g. a School Teacher taking a group on a field trip.
Course Duration: six hours comprising of: Two hours Self Study – knowledge based; and Four hours Guided Learning (with a teacher) – interactive sessions
Level 2 (Low level water activity up to approx. thigh height)
For those who have a greater likelihood of getting closer to or in the water but with a definite intention to stay within standing depth, e.g. Construction Worker or Ranger working at the margins, teacher taking pupils rock pooling, pond dipping, etc.
Candidates MUST complete and pass Level 1 before undertaking Level 2. It is split into THREE different environments: Beach, River and Still Water.
Course Duration: three hours PER Environment
Level 3 (In-Water Rescue aimed at PROGRAMMED activities, but NOT free swimming as this would require the NVBLQ qualification)
For those with clients/people under their supervision, who might be swimming out of their depth, e.g. Outdoor Pursuit Instructor leading a deep water activity session, or those leading/supervising programmed open water activities, e.g. canoeing, kayaking, relays, etc.
Candidates must complete and pass Levels 1 and 2 before undertaking Level 3. Practised in the water, this level involves being able to do a 30m contact rescue and a 15m contact tow
Course Duration: two hours.
The award lasts for two years.

16-17 May 2020 Coasteering Guide Training
2020-05-16 - 2020-05-17 | Carmarthenshire

16-17 May 2020 16hr Outdoor First Aid course
2020-05-16 - 2020-05-17 | Carmarthenshire

13-14 May 2020 British Canoeing Paddlesport Leader course
2020-05-13 - 2020-05-14 | Carmarthenshire

12 May 2020 RLSS NWSMP Level 2 River Safety Management
2020-05-12 17:30 - 21:30 | Quest Adventures, 49 New Road, Porthcawl, CF36 5DH, United Kingdom
£49 RLSS NWSMP Level 2 River, includes all learning materials, certification costs and full equipment
On completion of the Water Safety Awareness module Level 1, candidates can elect to further their training by progressing to Level 2 selecting one or more of the environment specific modules offered, covering Beach, River and Still Water. Candidates can also achieve Life Support. At Level 2 candidates are required to enter the water, to experience the challenges of open-water.
WHAT TO BRING
Candidates are provided all equipment and educational materials required for the course. Attendees only need to provide suitable footwear and clothing for the environment.
Items provided will include wet suits, buoyancy aids, helmets, throw lines, APPE where required.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (NWSMP)
NWSMP: Supporting Employers/Volunteers, Protecting Employees/Volunteers
The NWSMP is a suite of interlinked training awards, specifically designed to assist those organisations with employees who work in, on or near water, to meet their civil and statutory safety management obligations (especially where employees have supervisory responsibilities).
It is endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive for its sensible, proportionate, reasonable and balanced advice to both those responsible for groups around the water margin, or workers operating in, on or near water and in particular, managing the risk from operating around the water margin.
The Programme has also been endorsed by the Outdoor Education Advisory Panel and Expedition Providers’ Association and was developed in close consultation with a number of relevant and key leading bodies including:

Health and Safety Executive
Expedition Providers’ Association
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Devon & Cornwall Police
Institute of Outdoor Learning
National Open Water Coaching Association
The Scouts Association
Outdoor Education Advisory Panel

Many people working near the water margins, receive minimal or no water safety training due to it often taking a back seat, when compared to more traditional and recognised health and safety training. Through consultation with industry and lead bodies, RLSS UK identified this gap in water safety training provision and launched NWSMP to close that gap, thus improving water safety across a wide range of working environments and operational sectors.
Who is it for?
Teachers, Technicians, Outdoor Activity Instructors, Countryside Rangers, Community Safety Wardens, Dock Workers, Construction Workers, the Emergency Services, Security Staff – everyone and anyone who works in, on or near water.
Flexibility
The NWSMP allows employers to construct relevant and meaningful training programmes by selecting and linking together those modules most suited to specific operational and individual needs. The programme recognises the need for flexibility, providing individual programmes which meet a wide range of training requirements across a broad spectrum of working environments.
Balancing Prevention and Response
The NWSMP programme embraces contemporary approaches to risk management by balancing the need for simple proactive safety management practices, with a strong focus on preventative measures, including effective emergency response skills.
Flexible Modular Framework relevant to a wide range of sectors
The NWSMP is built around a modular framework, this enables employers to construct relevant and bespoke water safety training programmes by selecting the modules best-suited to their operational or individual needs.
Aims of the NWSMP

Equip anyone working in, on or near water with essential knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about managing safety
Enable group leaders to deliver safer activity at open water sites
Develop occupational water safety skills for employees/volunteers working around the water margins
Facilitate compliance with Statutory and Civil obligations, especially the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 with related regulations and covering Safe Systems of Work
Develop effective Emergency Response Skills for those working in a water-based environment

NWSMP Syllabus
Level 1 – Compulsory (Dry Based, i.e. candidates don’t actually get in the water)
For those working or supervising near water who do not have a definite intention to get into the water, e.g. a School Teacher taking a group on a field trip.
Course Duration: six hours comprising of: Two hours Self Study – knowledge based; and Four hours Guided Learning (with a teacher) – interactive sessions
Level 2 (Low level water activity up to approx. thigh height)
For those who have a greater likelihood of getting closer to or in the water but with a definite intention to stay within standing depth, e.g. Construction Worker or Ranger working at the margins, teacher taking pupils rock pooling, pond dipping, etc.
Candidates MUST complete and pass Level 1 before undertaking Level 2. It is split into THREE different environments: Beach, River and Still Water.
Course Duration: three hours PER Environment
Level 3 (In-Water Rescue aimed at PROGRAMMED activities, but NOT free swimming as this would require the NVBLQ qualification)
For those with clients/people under their supervision, who might be swimming out of their depth, e.g. Outdoor Pursuit Instructor leading a deep water activity session, or those leading/supervising programmed open water activities, e.g. canoeing, kayaking, relays, etc.
Candidates must complete and pass Levels 1 and 2 before undertaking Level 3. Practised in the water, this level involves being able to do a 30m contact rescue and a 15m contact tow
Course Duration: two hours.
The award lasts for two years.

CANCELLED 12-13 May 2020 British Canoeing Kayak Coach (Sheltered Water) Training
2020-05-12 - 2020-05-13 | Carmarthenshire
***Cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic***
This 2-day Discipline Specific Training course you will focus on how to coach technical and tactical skills in Kayaks on Sheltered Water. The course will help you plan and deliver safe, enjoyable, progressive coaching sessions and you’ll explore specifics to help you coach some typical learners relevant to these craft in this environment.
You need to meet the following prerequisites before attending the course:

Full ‘on the water’ membership of Canoe Wales / British Canoeing (etc.);
Completed Core Coach Training (or the following ‘old’ British Canoeing courses, if you feel confident with their content: Level 2 (UKCC) Training OR Assessment; Moderate or Advanced Water Training OR Assessment; Level 3 (UKCC) Core Training OR Assessment;
A good level of knowledge of kayaking on sheltered water; and well-practised personal skills.

Minimum 2, maximum 4 candidates.
Venue to be confirmed (somewhere in the Brecon area).
The course fee will be no more than £180, which includes coaching, equipment and certification. If more than 2 candidates attend, I will aim to reduce this fee if I can.

11-15 May 2020 Sea Kayak Award
2020-05-11 - 2020-05-15 | Carmarthenshire
Option of 3-5 days sea kayaking around the Pembrokeshire Coastline. Solva, St Davids, Fishguard areas
e-mail organiser for more info
Cost for 3 days £270 does not include accommodation or food

10 May 2020 Level 2 First Aid for Mental Health
2020-05-10 | Carmarthenshire

CANCELLED 7 May 2020 Pontneddfechan community liaison ‘surgery’
2020-05-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Pontneddfechan Village Hall, Pontneddfechan, Neath, SA11 5ND, United Kingdom
