9 Feb 2025 Climbing Wall Instructor Assessment (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-02-09 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
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
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.

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

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
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

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
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

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…

22-23 Apr 2025 RLSS NWSMP Training & Assessment Course (by Gary Evans)
2025-04-22 00:00 - 2025-04-23 23:59
Based on Gower and other South Wales venues. £260pp.

22-23 Apr 2025 British Canoeing Awarding Body Canoe & Kayak Coach (Sheltered Water) Training (by Steve Rayner Outdoor Pursuits)
2025-04-22 00:00 - 2025-04-23 23:59
This 2-day Discipline Specific Training course you will focus on how to coach technical and tactical skills in both Canoe and Kayak 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 Paddle UK national association;

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 both canoeing and kayaking on sheltered water; and well-practised personal skills.

Venue to be confirmed (somewhere in the Brecon area).

The course fee is £200, which includes coaching, equipment and certification.

23 Apr 2025 FUNdamentals of Climbing 2 (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-04-23 00:00 - 23:59 | Dynamic Rock, Swansea, SA6 5EJ

24 Apr 2025 Foundation (Climbing) Coach Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-04-24 00:00 - 23:59 | Dynamic Rock, Swansea, SA6 5EJ

25 Apr 2025 FUNdamentals of Climbing 3 (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-04-25 00:00 - 23:59 | Dynamic Rock, Swansea, SA6 5EJ

6-9 May 2025 RLSS Core Trainer/Assessor and NWSMP Specialism (by Tom Partridge)
2025-05-06 00:00 - 2025-05-09 23:59
£650 – based in South Wales

22-23 May 2025 NCC Coasteering Guide Award Training (by Gary Evans)
2025-05-22 00:00 - 2025-05-23 23:59
Based on Gower and Pembrokeshire. £150pp

23 May 2025 Cave Leader Update Workshop (by Richard Hill)
2025-05-23 00:00 - 23:59
Two people booked on so this will run; can have up to 6 on the course: it would be a shame if anyone in need of an update missed out! Book via the button or contact Rich for details.

29-30 May 2025 Lowland Leader Training (by Outdoor Matters)
2025-05-29 00:00 - 2025-05-30 23:59

19-20 Jul 2025 British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor Award course (by Steve Rayner Outdoor Pursuits)
2025-07-19 00:00 - 2025-07-20 23:59
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 Paddle Cymru / Paddle UK (etc.);

register for the Award with Paddle Cymru / Paddle UK (etc.) – cost c.£48;

have attended a British Canoeing Awarding Body Paddlesport Safety & Rescue (PSR) 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).

27 July 2025 BCAB Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course (by WithDave Ltd)
2025-07-27 00:00 - 23:59
This course will support you to explore and practice simple strategies and safe skills that provide you with the tools to solve common paddling issues in a sheltered water environment, providing peace of mind when venturing out onto the water. Kit and craft can be providedThis course is open to anyone of any age.Places are already booked on this course.Course cost £95Venue – Brecon Beacons National Park

2 Aug 2025 Subsidised 'Climbing for All' course (by The Outdoor Partnership)
2025-08-02 00:00 - 23:59
The Outdoor Partnership have booked in another Climbing for All course with Andy Cummings of Manzoku Climbing and Mountaineering on Saturday 2nd August. It is being hosted by Boulders, Cardiff and is a full day BMC workshop (worth 1 CPD point).

More info on course content here – Climbing for All workshops: instructing disabled people in rock climbing.

It costs £20pp to book, booking link here, feel free to share with your instructors and freelancers – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1461675764559?aff=oddtdtcreator

There are no pre-requisites for the course, however, you will need the appropriate climbing qualifications to use some of the systems and CWIs and RCIs will need to attend a half day site specific sign off in order to use some of the more advanced systems. We now have adaptive climbing equipment in 3 climbing walls in South Wales – Llangorse, Summit Centre and Dynamic Rock and Boulders have their own equipment. There is also a process for signing out kit to external providers such as yourselves, and attending this 1 day course is the first stage of the process for instructors wishing to borrow the equipment. Get in touch if you would like to find out more, we are hoping to open up climbing to more individuals in Mid and South Wales going forward. Join our Facebook group if you would like to be informed of future inclusion training opportunities, ask questions or share resources and ideas – (1) Inclusive Adventure | Facebook If you haven’t already seen it, here is the video we had made about inclusive climbing sessions taking place at Llangorse – Inclusive Climbing Club-Powys and Gwent
