Introduction

This information is intended for students who you feel might have an interest in pursuing these activities further. This might be as a recreational sport, or as a career choice.

 

High Rope Activities

These activities are generally not the type in which any skills may be further developed and are more of a one-off experience than a sport or activity in their own right. Those wishing to undertake these further should do so as an individual recreational experience.

Those wishing to instruct these activities should train in climbing and other rope based activities (see Outdoor Instruction on this page).

Websites: www.goape.co.uk

 

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing as a sport has been around for over 100 years and was exclusively an outdoor sport, with indoor walls being developed initially for winter practice and then developing into a branch of the sport in its own right. However the skills required are the same initially.

Anyone wishing to take part in rock climbing as an activity would be advised initially to visit a local climbing wall and sign up for their climbing clubs or open evenings. Teaching and mentoring can be available at these walls. A full list of climbing walls is available at the British Mountaineering Council website www.thebmc.co.uk

You can search for a wall, download the full directory for free or read the Beginners’ Guide to Climbing Walls and the Young People Booklet – all extremely useful and free. The BMC have just published a great booklet called ‘Get Into Climbing for Beginners’ which is a fantastic summary of the sport. You can buy copies (cheaper in bulk) here.

 

Some of the nearer Local climbing walls:

  • Bexhill on Sea Bexhill College,Turkey Rd, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, TN39 5HF. 01424 214545.
  • Bognor Regis The Arena, Bognor Regis Community College, Westloats Lane, Bognor Regis, PO21 5JD. 01243 870000.
  • Brighton High Sports Withdean Stadium
  • Canterbury Kings School Recreation Centre, 1 St Stevens Rd, Canterbury, CT2 7HU. 01227 595602. www.kingsrecreation.co.uk
  • University of Kent Sports Centre, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NL. 01227 827313. www.kent.ac.uk/sports
  • Chessington Chessington Rocks, Chessington SC, Garrison Lane, Chessington, KT9 2JS. 0208 974 2277. www.chessingtonsportscentre.co.uk
  • Chichester Chichester College Climbing Wall, Westgate Fields, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1SB. 01243 812936.
  • Crowborough Evolution Indoor Climbing, Plumyfeather Farm, Lye Green, Crowborough, East Sussex,TN6 1UX. 01892 862924. www.evolutionindoorclimbing.co.uk
  • Guildford Surrey Sports Park, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AD.
  • Craggy Island, Unit 9 Cobbett Park, Moorfield Rd, Guildford. 0844 8808866. www.craggy-island.com

 

London:

  • Sobell SC, Hornsey Rd, Holloway, London, N7 7NY. 0207 609 2166.
  • Climb London East Ham, East Ham Leisure Centre, 324 Barking Road, E6 2RT. 0845 363 1144. www.climblondon.co.uk
  • Climb London Crystal Palace, National Sports Centre, Ledrington Road, SE19 BB. 0845 363 1144. www.climblondon.co.uk
  • Mile End Wall, Haverfield Rd, Bow, London, E3 5BE. 0208 980 0289.www.mileendwall.org.uk
  • Westway SC, 1 Crowthorne Rd, London, W10 6RP. 0208 969 0992.www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk
  • Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, London, N4 2HA. 0208 2117000. www.castle-climbing.co.uk
  • Climb London Hendon, Marble Drive, Hendon, NW2 1XQ. 0845 363 1144
  • Climb London Hackney, Britannia Leisure Centre, 40 Hyde Road, Hackney, N1 5JU. 0845 363 1144. www.climblondon.co.uk
  • Climb London Brixton, Brixton Recreation Centre, 27 Brixton Station Rd. SW9 8QQ. 0845 363 1144. www.climblondon.co.uk
  • Climb London Swiss Cottage, Adelaide Road, Camden, NW3 3NF. 0845 363 1144 www.climblondon.co.uk
  • High Sports Midhurst, River Site, Lamberts Lane, Midhurst, GU29 9DT. 0845 363 1177. www.high-sports.co.uk
  • Shoreham – Adur Outdoor Activities Centre, Brighton Rd, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5LT. 01273 462928. www.aoac.org.uk

 

Canoeing and Kayaking

To develop an interest in this sport it is best to join a local club, of which there are many. There is a well tried system within canoeing and kayaking of star grades for performance (and later for instruction). The national governing body for these is the British Canoe Union, website: https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/ There is a ‘Getting Started’ page on the website with a directory of local clubs.

This can lead to many different types of canoeing, from sea kayaks to Canadian canoes, and everyone will have their preference.

Some examples of local clubs:

  • Adur Canoe Club (Shoreham) – www.adurcanoeclub.org.uk
  • Arun Canoe Club (Worthing) – www.aruncanoeclub.org.uk
  • Bewl Canoe Club – www.bewlcanoeclub.co.uk
  • Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club – www.cvcc.org.uk
  • Hastings Canoe Club – www.hastingscanoeclub.org.uk
  • Martlet Kayak Club – www.martletkayakclub.org.uk

 

Orienteering 

Although the orienteering we undertake at Blackland Farm is a very much simplified version of the sport, this is a thriving and very challenging sport with many clubs and an active membership. It is a great sport for young people to take up, involving as it does running and fitness, a sense of adventure, and the mental challenges of navigating.

Orienteering is governed by British Orienteering, website: www.britishorienteering.org.uk

 

Archery 

Archery’s organisation is Archery GB, at: www.archerygb.org There are 1240 archery clubs in the UK, and you can find your local one on the site using the Club Finder. There is a Junior section on the website, and a Progress Awards Scheme for young archers.

 

Outdoor Introduction

Some young people love the idea of a career in the outdoors. It is a great lifestyle, but requires a great deal of commitment to the activities themselves over a number of years. Some young people join the industry for a few years whilst still deciding upon a career path, but those who are more dedicated to following a longer career in the outdoors need to gain a range of qualifications in the activities as well as other skills – first aid, minibus driving and much more.

We do run a Trainee Scheme at TrekCo (details on the Trainee pages) – but in general people applying for this have already been at college or worked elsewhere. This is a four month scheme which is very intensive and hard work! It is not usually suitable to school leavers unless they are exceptionally committed, hard working and keen.

Probably a better course of action is to attend one of the many colleges which nowadays offer courses in becoming an outdoor instructor. We take many new instructors on to our Trainee Scheme from Bicton College in Devon and Plumpton College in Sussex for example. These and other colleges offer a range of courses from BTEC to degree level.

At TrekCo we also now take on Apprentices on a formal 18 month Level 3 Apprenticeship. This is in association with Bicton College. Apprentices will have attended our Trainee Scheme before joining as a full Apprentice.