South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group

24 Nov 2019 Relocation Skills
2019-11-24
Suitable for aspirant mountain leaders/instructors + those looking for a skills boost
Okay… so you think you’re lost! Although knowing how to remedy the situation is largely judgemental (and I cannot teach judgement!), what I can do is illustrate how various combinations of techniques work, and show you some classic adaptations. Based on a particularly featureless tract of moorland, on this one-day course I concentrate on combining basic navigation skills in order to manage different scenarios. During the day I will try my utmost to get you lost!… and then show you a range of relocation and search techniques that allow you to work out your position. The techniques introduced on this course assume a comfortable working knowledge of basic navigation techniques including map interpretation, compass work, and estimating time and distance, so I recommend you have at least a basic level of skill before attending.
1-day courses – £90/person (maximum 4 people per course).
All courses bookable online at www.mountain-activities.com
15% discount to SWOAPG members. Just use the code “SWOAPG” at checkout when booking online.

23-24 Nov 2019 Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 2
2019-11-23 - 2019-11-24
Suitable for aspirant mountain leaders/instructors + those looking for a skills boost.
You do not need to know where you are all the time, especially if you can combine and adapt basic navigation skills. On this course I show you some classic combinations, and give you the confidence to roam across wild countryside. In effect, this course offers you the freedom of the hills.
Combining my Contour Recognition & Relocation Skills courses, on this two-day course I revisit the basic skills and illustrate simple yet effective ways in which to interpret contour patterns. I then get you locationally challenged on a stretch of featureless moorland, and introduce a range of options which allow you to work out your position with confidence. I guarantee you’ll never be “lost” again!
This course is the natural follow-on from my Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 1 course, and I recommend that you have a comfortable working knowledge of both map interpretation and basic poor visibility techniques before attending.
2-day courses – £170/person (maximum 4 people per course).
All courses bookable online at www.mountain-activities.com
15% discount to SWOAPG members. Just use the code “SWOAPG” at checkout when booking online.

23 Nov 2019 Mountain Training Lowland Leader Award Assessment Course
2019-11-23 - 2019-11-24
Parkmill, Gower
£150 for the 2 day Assessment
Contact Gary Evans

23 Nov 2019 Mountain Training Lowland Leader Award Training Course
2019-11-23 - 2019-11-24
Parkmill, Gower
£140 for the 2 day course
Contact Gary Evans

23 Nov 2019 Contour Recognition
2019-11-23
Suitable for aspirant mountain leaders/instructors + those looking for a skills boost
Having the ability to “see” the landscape by relating the contour patterns to the shape of the ground (and vice versa) is an essential part of successful navigation in mountain and moorland environments. On this hill based one-day course, I explain the concept of vertical scale, and show you a range of simple techniques that enable you to visualise the shape of the ground from the map, and to gauge where the contours run on the ground when looking at the landscape. Many of the techniques used assume a comfortable working knowledge of map interpretation, so I recommend that you should either have attended my Map Interpretation course, or that you have a reasonable grasp of map skills before attending this course.
1-day courses – £90/person (maximum 4 people per course).
All courses bookable online at www.mountain-activities.com
15% discount to SWOAPG members. Just use the code “SWOAPG” at checkout when booking online.

22-24 Nov 2019 Rescue 3 WRT-PRO
2019-11-22 - 2019-11-24 | Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, Cardiff, CF11 0SY, United Kingdom
The Whitewater Rescue Technician – Professional (WRT-PRO) course is designed for professional river users who require a rescue capability in a whitewater environment, e.g. raft guides, safety kayakers and gorge walk leaders.

20 Nov 2019 Micro-Navigation/Poor Visibility Techniques
2019-11-20
Suitable for aspirant mountain leaders/instructors + those looking for a skills boost
Mountain weather can change at an alarming speed, especially in the British hills, and once the mist is down even the easiest ground can become confusing and difficult. On this moorland based one-day course, I teach a range of simple yet effective techniques which will allow you to find your way with confidence through the thickest weather. These include compass skills, and time & distance estimation. Some of the micro-navigation techniques rely on a reasonable working knowledge of map interpretation, so I recommend that you have at least a basic grasp of map skills before attending this course.
1-day courses – £90/person (maximum 4 people per course).
All courses bookable online at www.mountain-activities.com
15% discount to SWOAPG members. Just use the code “SWOAPG” at checkout when booking online.

19 Nov 2019 Core Coach Supervision
2019-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | Online
SWOAPG Members are able to book places on a series of IOL workshops on using Coaching in Outdoor Learning – see IOL Outdoor Learning Coaching for full details – and book online at https://www.outdoor-learning.org/Good-Practice/Develop-as-a-Professional/Specialist-Competencies/Coaching

19-20 Nov 2019 Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 1
2019-11-19 - 2019-11-20
Suitable for aspirant mountain leaders/instructors + those looking for a skills boost.
Despite what you might think, navigation is simple! All it requires is an understanding of a few basic, straightforward skills which can be used anywhere and in any conditions. On this course, I will teach you those skills!
Combining my Map Interpretation & Micro Navigation/Poor Visibility Techniques courses, on this two-day course I use day one to introduce the art of map interpretation, which allows you to get an amazingly detailed picture of the ground. On day two, I teach you a range of compass skills, and show you how to estimate time and distance with great accuracy.
The continuity gained by attending for two consecutive days means that we often cover more ground than is possible on two, separate one day sessions. This course is therefore a very cost-effective way of learning about navigation.
2-day courses – £170/person (maximum 4 people per course).
All courses bookable online at www.mountain-activities.com
15% discount to SWOAPG members. Just use the code “SWOAPG” at checkout when booking online.

19 Nov 2019 Map Interpretation Course
2019-11-19
Suitable for aspirant mountain leaders/instructors + those looking for a skills boost
Far more than simple map reading, map interpretation allows you to get an amazingly detailed picture of the ground using simple yet effective techniques. Once learned, you will never look at a map in the same way again! On this valley based one-day course, we spend the first couple of hours indoors exploring essential theory, then we put it all into practice during a physically simple but mentally challenging valley walk. Suitable for all fans of the great outdoors, including those who are looking for a skills refresher or a confidence booster, this course is the perfect introduction to precise navigation.
1-day courses – £90/person (maximum 4 people per course).
All courses bookable online at www.mountain-activities.com
15% discount to SWOAPG members. Just use the code “SWOAPG” at checkout when booking online.

16-17 Nov 2019 Rescue Emergency Care First Aid Course
2019-11-16 - 2019-11-17 | Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, Cardiff, CF11 0SY, United Kingdom
This is a 2-day (16-hour) qualification related to Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and all the essentials for anyone working or spending time outdoors.
Price £130 per person.

16 Nov 2019 Institute for Outdoor Learning Conference
2019-11-16 | Atlantic College, Llantwit Major, CF61 1WF, United Kingdom
The theme of the conference is ‘Discovery’ and the speakers are Rob Penn (TV presenter and author) and Crag Jones (mountaineer, climber, and first Welshman to summit Everest). £30 for both individual and organisational members of IOL (including SWOAPG Members). IOL members (including Corporate SWOAPG Members) can buy up to 4 tickets at this price for family members and friends. £94 for non-members. Brochure here: Conference brochure 2019.
There will also be a wide choice of workshops, talks and updates including:

Building Resilience
Passing Inspections
The New Welsh Curriculum
Bushcraft: Mindful Shelters
Bushcraft tools: their safety and use
Diversity in the Outdoors
Journalling in the outdoors
A taster for ‘Fostering a Connection’

The Biennial General Meeting of IOL Cymru will be held on Friday 15th at 6pm (free to attend for IOL members even if you are not attending the conference).

10 Nov 2019 Micro-Navigation/Poor Visibility Techniques
2019-11-10

9-10 Nov 2019 Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 1
2019-11-09 - 2019-11-10

9 Nov 2019 Map Interpretation Course
2019-11-09

6 Nov 2019 Dinas/Sychryd & Mellte Code of Conduct Training
2019-11-06 16:00 - 19:00 | Dinas Rock Car Park, Coed-Y-Rhaidyr, Pontneddfechan, SA11 5NU, United Kingdom
This is a Code of Conduct Training session for Providers who are signed-up to the NRW Waterfalls Country Concordat. It is a requirement that a staff representative from each Provider has attended a Code of Conduct Training session if they wish to use of the area for Gorge Walking.
This session will cover both the Sychryd Gorge (including Loonies Leap) 4.00-5.30pm, and the upper Mellte c.5.30-7.00pm for those who need this as well (subject to capacity).
This session is suitable for both new Providers that are starting to use the gorge, as well as established Providers who would like a refresher or to bring new staff up to speed.

Attendees must be either Full or Associate Individual Members or staff employed by Full or Associate Corporate Members or Supporters or their staff. Credentials will be checked on booking.

The Sychryd session is based on the paths around the gorge so no in-water kit is required, but we will be undertaking the training whatever the weather, so come prepared. The Mellte session is classroom-based in a suitable local venue (to be confirmed).
We will meet at 4pm in the main car park at Dinas Rock.
The cost is £25 per person, but one free space will be available to Providers who have paid for 2019 Full Membership (and who have not already claimed their free place).
To book your place, please order tickets / RSVP as appropriate below. If you have any difficulty booking (e.g. if the website says that no places are available in the category you choose), please contact the organiser who will do his best to fit you in.

6 Nov 2019 Relocation Skills
2019-11-06

5-6 Nov 2019 Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 2
2019-11-05 - 2019-11-06

5 Nov 2019 Contour Recognition
2019-11-05

2-3 Nov 2019 Rescue Emergency Care First Aid Course
2019-11-02 - 2019-11-03 | Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, Cardiff, CF11 0SY, United Kingdom

26-27 Oct 2019 Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 2
2019-10-28 00:00 - 23:59

27 Oct 2019 Relocation Skills
2019-10-28 00:00 - 23:59

26 Oct 2019 Contour Recognition
2019-10-26

24 Oct 2019 BCA LCMLA Level 1 Training Course
2019-10-24 - 2019-10-25
Swansea Valley venue
£155 for the 2 day course
Contact Gary Evans

23 Oct 2019 Micro-Navigation/Poor Visibility Techniques
2019-10-23

22 Oct 2019 Map Interpretation Course
2019-10-22 08:00 - 17:00

22-23 Oct 2019 Mountain & Moorland Navigation – Stage 1
2019-10-22 - 2019-10-23

19-20 Oct 2019 Rescue Emergency Care First Aid Course
2019-10-19 - 2019-10-20 | Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, Cardiff, CF11 0SY, United Kingdom

17 Oct 2019 Practical First Aid for Outdoor Instructors
2019-10-17 - 2019-10-18
Swansea Valley venue
£165 for the 2 day course
Contact Gary Evans

13 Oct 2019 Micro-Navigation/Poor Visibility Techniques
2019-10-13
