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Here you can see a live feed video of the strood.
see if tides coving the road or if there's traffic

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Today's Tide Times

When can you cross?

Tide heights are affected by the weather and can surprise you. If you absolutely must get across, and the predicted tide height is 4.9m or above, allow about 1 hour either side of the high tide time. Allow an extra 30 mins if it is over 5.5m.

The biggest tides usually happen when high tide is due between about 12 and 3.30. Outside these times you will probably be fine to cross.

Remember sea water is very bad for car engines so its better to sit and enjoy the view while you wait.

Support Stroodcam

It costs £500 per year to run StroodCam. Make a donation using and help us keep StroodCam online.
Donations and subscriptions are processed by PayPal but you DO NOT need to have a PayPal account. £10 every year. Cancel anytime.
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Stroodcam.co.uk - See when you can cross the strood

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Tide heights are affected by the weather and can surprise you. If you absolutely must get across, and the predicted tide height is 4.9m or above, allow about 1 hour either side of the high tide time. Allow an extra 30 mins if it is over 5.5m.

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The general rule:
if above 4.9 metres - it will cover the strood (please allow 1 hour either side of high tide to avoid being caught out.

N.B. please allow an extra 30 mins if tide is above 5.5metres

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Buy West Mersea Tide Tables online:
You can buy a printed version of our tide times here. Choose a product from the list below and click the button to add it to your basket.

PDF and Data items are not currently available.

West Mersea Tidal Predictions
Here are the predicted tides for West Mersea. Use the calendar to change the date view.

Tide Times

BST:

Hi/Lo

Time

Height

These tides for West Mersea are automatically adjusted for British Summer Time where applicable.

Next High Tide: 23:13 Next Low Tide: 17:29

West Mersea Tide Graphs
The graph below shows the tide heights for West Mersea over the next seven days. Where the change between high tide and low tide is at its smallest a Neap Tide has occurred. Where this gap is at its greatest, this is a Spring Tide. These times are not adjusted for BST.

West Mersea Weather Forecast
The weather forecast feature is for logged in, subscribed members only.

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Buy West Mersea Tide Tables online: You can buy a printed version of our tide times here. Choose a product from the list below and click the button to add it to your basket. PDF and Data items are not currently available. West Mersea Tidal Predictions Here are the predicted tides for West Mersea.

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We’re Mind, the mental health charity | Mind

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We're Mind, the mental health charity. We're here to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

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Getting started Training Consolidation The period between training and assessment ((often referred to as the consolidation period) varies in length for each person and is an opportunity to develop your skills, paying particular attention to any weaknesses identified during the training course. You can use the excuse 'I'm preparing for assessment' to visit the wall as much as you like! Assessment Before you attend a Climbing Wall Instructor assessment, make sure you have done the following:

To get started on the Climbing Wall Instructor qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites:

You must be at least 17 years old (18 at assessment)

You should have at least 6 months of experience of using a variety of climbing walls

You should have an interest in climbing and in supervising groups on climbing walls

You must be a member of a mountaineering council: BMC, Mountaineering Scotland or Mountaineering Ireland (you can join one when you register if you're not already a member) - find out why

If you can meet all of the above requirements, here's what to do next: Register now
This qualification used to be called Climbing Wall Award which was revised following a review and relaunched under this new name on 2nd April, 2018.

Climbing Wall Instructor candidate handbook

Latest version 1.2 uploaded 12/12/2018

Do you have additional needs?

Do you have a physical or mental impairment or disability which may require a provider to make reasonable adjustments so that you can take part in a training or assessment course? Find out more.

Not quite right?

If this doesn't sound like the right qualification for you, consider the following: You could also read through our ' Which scheme is right for me?' page.

Climbing Wall Instructor training lasts for 2 days and will be run by one of our approved providers in the UK or Ireland.

Before you attend a Climbing Wall Instructor training course, make sure you have done the following:

You must be registered on the scheme.

You must have an understanding of the wider sport of climbing.

You must have an up to date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of the following:

Visits to 3 different climbing walls on at least 15 different occasions; this must include at least one major public wall.

10 led routes at Fr4 on walls.

A variety of cost packages are available depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.
Use the Climbing Wall Instructor Skills Checklist

This document can be used during or shortly after your training course to help you identify areas of the syllabus that may require attention prior to assessment.

The Syllabus

Climbing Wall Instructors should be competent in the following key areas, all of which will be covered, to a greater or lesser extent, during your training course.

Technical Competence (including equipment, belaying, personal skills and background knowledge)

Management and Decision Making (including planning, managing participants, decision making, knowledge and demonstation of techniques and managing other staff)

Teaching and Learning Skills

The Climbing Environment (including access, etiquette and ethics)

Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the Climbing Wall Instructor handbook and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment - use the Skills Checklist to help with this.

The Mountain Training Association

Join the Mountain Training Association and be part of a community of like-minded people on our schemes. The Association offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders and coaches across the disciplines, as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. You can join the Association at any point after you have registered on one of Mountain Training's leadership/coaching schemes.
Join now

The Book - Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing has been written specifically for people working their way through Mountain Training's climbing schemes and it's packed with colourful diagrams, photographs and simple language. It covers the full spectrum of modern climbing practice including movement skills, knots, bouldering, sport, trad and indoor climbing as well as risk management and problem solving.
Buy now

You must be at least 18 years old.

You must have attended a Climbing Wall Instructor (or Climbing Wall Award) training course or have been granted exemption from training.

You must be familiar with the syllabus.

You must have logged a minimum of 30 personal climbing visits to at least three different climbing walls.

You must have led a minimum of 40 climbs on climbing walls.

You must be confident at leading routes at Fr 4.

You must have assisted in the supervision of at least 15 instructed sessions on at least two different walls including a large public facility in a variety of contexts. At least five of these sessions must have personal reflective comments recorded on DLOG. (For guidance see question 3 in the DLOG section on this page.)

You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least one full day or eight hours of instruction and included an element of assessment.

The Climbing Wall Instructor assessment is a minimum of 6 hours.

Assessments are run by one of our approved providers and a variety of cost packages are available, depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.

View Full Profile

Lisa Farris - August 2016

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Getting started To get started on the Climbing Wall Instructor qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites: You must be at least 17 years old (18 at assessment) You should have at least 6 months of experience of using a variety of climbing walls You should have an interest in climbing and in supervising groups on climbing walls You must be a member of a mountaineering council:...

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1 x Fleece jacket

2 x pair trousers. Navy blue, plain no patterns, quick drying

2 x pair shorts. Navy blue, plain no patterns, quick drying

1 x pair trail shoes or walking boots.

1 x water proof jacket. (breathable)

1 x water proof overtrousers (breathable).

1 x warm hat

1 x pair of gloves, ideally waterproof.

1 x sun hat

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Water bottle

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There is a staff room with TV, Lounge area, small basic kitchen.

Tent? £150 new 4 person tent or bring your own

You need to bring:

Exterior extension power lead with 13amp plug (optional)

Bed, bedding.

Comforts of life: T.V.  Fridge, hanging wardrobe,  heater etc.

Clothes, toiletries, etc.

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Basic step back turn / Getting into SUP how to video

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to read about the importance of reviewing at the end of your session please click here

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The Archery GB Instructor Award is an entry-level training course that prepares learners to deliver fun and safe introductory sessions for beginners.

About the course
The Archery GB Instructor Award is the industry's leading training course for archery. The course is designed for learners with little or no prior experience of archery. Learners must be at least 17 years old by the first day of the course. The course is a two day course and includes a practical assessment. The successful learner will gain an Archery GB Instructor licence which lasts for three years. After this it can be renewed by successfully completing an online renewal module. The licence does not provide the instructor with insurance.

These are some of the skills you will learn on the course:

How to shoot arrows

How to prepare and deliver archery sessions

How to select appropriate equipment

How to set up a range

How to ensure safety on the range

How much will it cost?
Course costs range from £180-230 per person, depending on location.
Find a course
Instructor courses taking place across the UK can be found using the Course Finder . To book your place on to one of these courses please contact the advertised course organiser.

Courses organised by our delivery partner Sport Structures Ltd can be found here

Courses are added regularly, so check back if there's nothing in your area currently. Alternatively, if a course isn't currently available near you, please register your interest by leaving us with a few details via this link: register of interest. This will help us to arrange more courses where they are needed.
If you have a disability
Please provide details to your course organiser in advance of the course starting, if you require any specific support to be provided during the course.

If you have a disability or difficulty that puts you at a substantial disadvantage relating to the assessment of the qualification, please read the Learner Reasonable Adjustment Process to find out how you can access specific arrangements and support for completion of the assessment tasks.
Guidance for learners
We've provided further guidance about the course in the below documents, which you can download for your personal reference. These will give you full details about the terms of enrolment onto the course, the course content, and an outline guide to the timetable for each session.
Renewing your licence
To remain as a recognised archery Instructor for Archery GB, your Instructor Award licence needs to be renewed every third year following your original course completion date.

It costs £40 to renew your licence, which you can now do online by successfully passing a learning module, to ensure your knowledge is up to date. You'll get the latest Archery GB Instructor Award handbook to download. Once you've successfully completed the learning module, we will post to an up to date certificate. You need to achieve at least 75% to pass, and you have two attempts. If you are unsuccessful on the second attempt, you will need to pay again to repeat the learning module. It is your responsibility to renew within the three-year period.
Changing address?
So that we can keep your licence information up to date and send you a renewal reminder, please remember to update your contact details. You can do this by going to AGB Sport80

If you have used this login before, please log in and update your details.

If you have not used this login before:

1. Click on 'Recover Account from Previous System'

2. Enter 'Membership Number'. This is your licence number which is printed on your licence card. If you have not received this or do not have it, please contact us

3. Leave the Password field blank

4. Enter your email address. Please use the email address which you provided us when you completed your Instructor Award

5. Enter your date of birth

6. Click 'Recover Account'

If you are having any problems with this process please contact the help desk using support@archerygb.zendesk.com.
Reissuing of certificates and licence cards
You will receive your Archery GB Instructor Award certificate and licence card within 30 days of the course completion (if you have not received this within 6 weeks please contact us). Reissuing of the Certificate and Licence Card, beyond the 6 week period will incur a charge of £10.00.
Set up a course for your organisation
Information about how to set up a course can be found in the Archery GB Instructor Award Guidance for Organisations.

If you would like to set up a course on behalf of your organisation, please contact us and we will provide you with full support, a tutor, and the necessary resources to host a course.

Email: instructor.award@archerygb.org

Phone: 01952 602795
Need help?
For renewals and general enquiries please use the contact details below.

E-mail: instructor.award@archerygb.org

Phone: 01952 677 888
Complaints
If you are not satisfied with a course you have attended and wish to complain, please refer to the Archery GB Learner Complaints Process.

Course Finder

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Archery Courses | Instructor Award | Archery GB

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The Archery GB Instructor Award is an entry-level training course that prepares learners to deliver fun and safe introductory sessions for beginners. About the course The Archery GB Instructor Award is the industry's leading training course for archery. The course is designed for learners with little or no prior experience of archery.

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What a beaut!

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Boris Johnson is being urged to end a lockdown block on residential school visits or risk destroying the "great British tradition" of outdoor education.

Schools have reopened, as have hotels, but official guidance still advises against overnight educational trips.

Outdoor learning "faces an existential threat", providers have told the Prime Minister in a letter.

The rules are under review, governments in England, Wales and Scotland say.

But according to the letter from UK Outdoors, which represents 15,000 people and organisations, the continuing freeze on residential school trips could cost almost 6,000 jobs before January.

The letter adds: "We cannot warn the government in strong enough terms that any decision to prevent residential trips for the rest of the academic year, without support, will permanently close the whole sector."

Its Marchants Hill centre in Surrey would normally be buzzing with the excitement of more than 750 school children and their teachers - but last Friday, as on every day since the start of the lockdown, it was eerily silent.

Most of the 160 staff have been furloughed, leaving managers Kris Shipway and Kristina Timms to keep the site ticking over, ready to reopen.

"The sadness, that's the biggest thing," says Kris.

"It's about the experiences we're able to give to children... and not to be able to do that has been really hard."

It's a similar story at Rhos y Gwaliau, in Snowdonia, North Wales.

"We've been completely empty for six months now. We've had no children at the site and we've really missed having them here," says instructor Eve Shrimpton.

Rhos y Gwaliau has been welcoming children to the mountains from schools in and around Reading, for 40 years.

"It's something the children look forward to from the beginning of their school careers," says Eve, and for some, "it might be the only opportunity they have in their lifetime to do something like this".

'Soft-skills'

The guidelines allow schools to run daytrips - but Rhos y Gwaliau is just too remote for this to work, says Eve's boss Sara Jones.

Even for bigger operations like PGL, day trips cannot compensate for the loss of their core business.

"Without overnight accommodation, the sector is effectively shut," says PGL chief executive Anthony Jones.

"For us, about 97% of our business relies on overnight accommodation."

About two million visits have already been lost, says Penrith-based Andy Robinson, chief executive of the Institute of Outdoor Learning and one of the signatories of the letter.

Many have been cancelled completely, with others postponed, but without a reopening date, the new dates might not hold.

And the loss is not just of the activities, whether rock climbing, wild camping or the opportunity to ride a zip-wire, it is the chance to be outside for hours in the middle of a wood and to stay away from home without your parents, perhaps for the first time - experiences that help build the soft-skills and resilience so prized by employers.

"It's not having that building of self confidence at key moments, for example the transition from primary to secondary," says Mr Robinson.

Or perhaps "losing a moment that can spark a lifetime interest in a particular outdoor pursuit".

Health and safety is essential to a sector which specialises in taking young people into challenging environments, so all members have signed up to extensive Covid-safe policies and procedures to keep school groups in their separate "bubbles".

These "make it quite clear that bubbles will not come in contact with other bubbles", says Anthony Jones.

"We will put in place segregation, one way systems, staggered meal times separate activities, separated accommodation."

He hopes these measures will convince both parents and policy makers that outdoor education trips are safe.

The sector feels unfairly penalised, he says: "We've answered every question that has been put to us."

In Snowdonia, Sara Jones wants government to engage fully with the sector's plans for Covid-safe operating and to set a date for reopening.

She fears that once furlough ends this month, and without a firm reopening date, she will be unable to keep her highly skilled staff who are often qualified teachers as well as mountain activity specialists.

"We also ask that while outdoor education centres face this enforced closure that we are appropriately and adequately funded in a targeted way to ensure that we survive this crisis and are here for generations of children in the future," she says.

Anthony Jones says the sector is ideally placed to help children and young people recover from the lockdown. .

"We've got these amazing assets, we've got amazing staff that are desperate to show what they can do and how they can help."

In a statement, England's Department for Education said: "Since the start of term, schools have been able to run non-residential trips.

"We keep our guidance on both residential and non-residential trips under review, in line with Public Health England advice."

The Welsh government said it was also keeping the issue "under review", with non-overnight visits allowed, subject to thorough risk assessments.

The Scottish government said it was not possible to set out an exact date for a review of the guidance, as this would depend on the trajectory of virus transmission in Scotland between now and the new year.

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Boris Johnson urged to intervene to 'save outdoor education'

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Boris Johnson is being urged to end a lockdown block on residential school visits or risk destroying the "great British tradition" of outdoor education. Schools have reopened, as have hotels, but official guidance still advises against overnight educational trips. Outdoor learning "faces an existential threat", providers have told the Prime Minister in a letter.

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Residential centres across Scotland have given generations of schoolchildren a chance to experience the great outdoors, but yet more facilities are set to close this year. What is behind the decline - and why are people worried about the impact?

Since this story was published, Glasgow City Council announced that it had reversed its decision to close Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre.

Last week, staff at Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre in Argyll and Bute were called in for an emergency meeting.

Glasgow City Council officials told them that the centre - one of the largest of its type in Scotland - would be closing in less than four months.

The closure was part of a raft of savings in the council's 2020-21 budget which were due to be announced in a few hours. By the end of the day, the budget was voted through and the centre's fate appeared sealed.

The 44 staff at Blairvadach, on the east shore of Gare Loch, were left shocked by the decision, which quickly sparked a campaign to save the centre.

Glasgow City Council says it is committed to exploring "new, innovative and alternative" ways to offer outdoor learning that "complements" a pupil's education.

But for parents like Ash Loydon, an experience at one of these centres can become a central part of their child's life.

Mr Loydon, an illustrator from Glasgow, has three autistic children who have all gone to Blairvadach for a week-long residential course.

His youngest son, Cassidy, has selective-mutism and uses only about 100 words. Since going to the centre two of those words are "Blairvadach" and "adventure".

"Cassidy was 11 when he went," Mr Loydon says.

"When he came back he kept saying 'Blairvadach, adventure'. He also made a painting of himself at Blairvadach. Two years later, he still talks about it."

Blairvadach opens up activities like kayaking, climbing and gorge walking to all youngsters, whatever their ability and background. The courses are subsidised and no-one's excluded.

For a parent who is constantly worrying about his son's safety - Cassidy has "no sense of danger", he says - sending your child away to such a centre could be an anxious time.

But Mr Loydon says Blairvadach is one of the few places he would trust to look after Cassidy for a whole week.

"There's something about the staff. You can trust them," he says.

"They treat the kids with respect and they treat them as individuals. It's a non-judgemental environment.

"And at the end of the day, everyone's covered head to toe in mud."

But there is a catch to making these experiences inclusive at a subsidised price, and it's the cost.

Council budgets are increasingly stretched and Blairvadach needs more than £1m a year to run - although its recent accounts show the centre's costs are reducing and income is rising, so the net expenditure is much less than that.

Many councils simply don't want the burden of running a fully-staffed, residential centre and all that goes with it and instead use centres run by charities or businesses.

Glasgow's decision to close Blairvadach, which opened more than 45 years ago, mirrors a story that has been repeated across Scotland in recent decades.

Recent research by the University of Stirling found there were 123 residential centres in 1982, more than 70 of them run by local authorities.

By 2018 that had fallen to 64 centres, with less than a dozen owned by councils.

Now there are just seven council centres left, two of which are due to close this year. They are Blairvadach and Kilbowie in Oban, which became a victim of savings being made by North Lanarkshire Council in its recent budget.

Both these closures have sparked a backlash from past and present users of the centres, with petitions to save Blairvadach and Kilbowie quickly reaching more than 10,000 signatures.

Some children in Glasgow already visit residential centres elsewhere in Scotland.

The city council said it planned to move its outdoor education provision to a "Glasgow-based model" in the future, using the city's parks and open spaces while working to ensure "improved and inclusive access for all".

It said this included a "very successful partnership" with Pinkston Watersports Centre which had been running since since 2015, offering outdoor education programmes based around the John Muir Award and National Paddle Sport Awards.

"This has proved a very popular model for our schools with outdoor education opportunities easily accessible during the school day," said the council.

"Uptake has almost doubled in the four years the centre has been operational."

But Robbie Nicol, a former Blairvadach instructor and now a professor of outdoor education at the University of Edinburgh, says that taking children away from their everyday surroundings is valuable in itself.

"Your brain responds in certain ways to certain spaces. It provides different opportunities for learning," he says.

"There's something special about Blairvadach's long association with Glasgow - but it is outside the city.

"It's the idea that you're going away and going to do something different, travelling on the bus somewhere you've never been. Some of the children who go there have never been out of the city before."

Many outdoor instructors will have a story about a child they were able to reach in a profound way, and Prof Nicol is no exception.

He can remember telling a 14-year-old boy from Glasgow they were about to walk up a hill that was hidden in the cloud.

"He said to me 'does that mean I'll touch the clouds?'

"When I said 'yes', he was almost in tears. And these things happen all the time," he says.

According to Prof Nicol, the "peak time" for outdoor education in Scotland was the late 1960s and through the 1970s, with the decline setting in from the early 1980s.

He's also critical of the commercial sector, which he says "lacks ambition".

"It hasn't been innovative. They rely too much on the thrills and spills and not on the connection with nature," he says.

"We need to focus on what kids can't get elsewhere."

The Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education has also voiced concerns about the increasing outsourcing of such services. It believes the "educational quality, employment standards and equitable access to universal provision have often decreased".

David Fowler, an ex-principal of Blairvadach who retired in 2010, says he has witnessed the decline of properly resourced outdoor education in Scotland.

He had to resist an attempt to shut the centre down in the 1980s because it was too expensive and says he was always aware that outdoor education was a "soft target".

But he believes that well-resourced, council-run facilities are possible - as demonstrated by Edinburgh and North Ayrshire councils that have three big and flourishing centres between them.

Mr Fowler says you can't measure the benefits of a week in the outdoors with tests, but is convinced the impact on a child can last a lifetime.

"When I would give briefings to parents about the residential weeks, I can remember someone coming up to me afterwards and saying their grandson was going to be on the course and there he was sitting over there.

"They can recount the experience they had at the centre years later. It's so long-lasting," he says.

"You're not going to get the same experience in the parks of Glasgow. It's not going to give these kids a greater understanding of the world around them."

All images are copyrighted.

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Why are Scottish councils closing their outdoor centres?

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Residential centres across Scotland have given generations of schoolchildren a chance to experience the great outdoors, but yet more facilities are set to close this year. What is behind the decline - and why are people worried about the impact?

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The Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) advises all members to follow the latest government and local policies regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our priority is to continue to support our members throughout this difficult period, while looking after the health and wellbeing of all staff. We continue to work across the sector to influence policy makers and defend the sector from disadvantage as a result of COVID-19. We are working for a future where outdoor learning experiences are available and accessible to all and:

Outdoor citizens of all ages have a lifelong engagement with the outdoors for their wellbeing and mental and physical health.

Inspiration from outdoor sports and adventures supports active lifestyles and the development of character, resilience, personal motivation, and optimism.

Meaningful relationships across communities enrich a sense of place, value diversity and spark pro-environmental behaviours.

1. IOL Activity

Sector Impact Surveys

The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across all areas of Outdoor Learning. The initial COVID-19 Impact Surveys estimated lost revenue of £275M until mid 2021, and each day over 70,000 under 18s and 20,000 over 18s have been missing out on valuable outdoor learning experiences.

A second sector survey over 2 weeks in July 2020 focussed on the impact felt by organisations. The outdoor learning provider base across the UK is already shrinking and 70% of organisations predict reduced operating capacity unless guidance is changed, with 30% predicting closure or permanently reduced future capacity if residential based provision does not restart until April 2021. 3,550 instructor jobs expected to be permanently or temporarily lost, up to 25% of the workforce.

To date the findings of both survey's have been used to submit evidence to The Education Select Committee's review into the impact of COVID-19 on education provision and inform dialogue with The Department for Education focused on changing advise against use of school visits, including those utilising outdoor learning.

Outdoor Learning with Schools

IOL working with others across the sector to influence Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for England and get the DfE guidance on school residential visits changed. Similarly, in Scotland IOL are part of an active campaign to reverse the Scottish Government decision not to support residential outdoor education centres, and are part of the Outdoor Alliance in Wales who are representing the concerns from our sector with Welsh Government. Follow progress here.

The Supporting Schools page outlines the immediate, medium and longer-term support IOL Members can offer schools to help pupils benefit from outdoor learning experiences for academic achievement, mental and physical health, wellbeing and nature connection.

IOL Webinar Series

Since the beginning of lockdown we have hosted over 1600 attendees to over 160 FREE webinars hosted by IOL Members. The webinar hosts have inspired, discussed (issues, research and theory), shared tips or good practice and supported others. We'd like to give a big THANK YOU to all the hosts - you've been amazing!

FREE WEBINARS continue as part of the IOL membership benefits and a valued source of ongoing CPD, specific topic discussions or Regional/Home Nation network and support.

Could you host a webinar? We know that IOL Members have unique and varied experience and interests that they can share by hosting a webinar. Is there something which you would like to share with other members through a webinar? We can set up all the tech so all you have to do is turn up and chat with fellow professionals. We'd love to hear from you.

2. IOL Events

Inline with government advice we have now cancelled all in-person IOL events for the coming months. Many events are moving to online meetings and we are in the process of adjusting plans and informing delegates, speakers and partners of any changes.

The UK Outdoor Learning Sector Conference planned for November 2020 has been postponed. We remain hopeful that we will be in a position to join together as a community in 2021 to reflect on the impact of COVID-19 and the critical importance of Outdoor Learning as the UK recovers and rebuilds.

We will keep the website updated with information on all IOL events, and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. Please check the website regularly and follow the IOL Twitter feed

3. IOL Office

At the IOL office we are following the latest government advice and balancing working from home with working in the office to continue our influencing activity and to provide you with all our current on-line services and resources. Please contact us on our usual email addresses or institute@outdoor-learning.org.

We are still very much open for business and will continue to provide core member services, but please bear with us if it takes us a little longer than usual to respond to some queries. Over the coming days and weeks there may be changes to some of our services, events and activities. We'll keep our members informed of any significant changes through this webpage and via email and social media.

4. IOL Members Resource Base

As the impact of the virus unfolds, we are reassured that our small community is well placed to look after each other during these difficult times. At IOL we are trying to do what we can to support all our members at this difficult time through the set up of a COVID-19 resource area.

The resource area consists of:

5. IOL Support

We will continue to provide you with all our current online services and resources. We do ask members to bear with us if there is a delayed response time, please contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you would like the Institute to develop specific support for members please contact us with your request and we will do what we can with the resources we have available.

6. Latest government and sector-specific advice

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resources and support for all mambers of the outdoor learning community

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Our priority is to continue to support our members throughout this difficult period, while looking after the health and wellbeing of all staff. We continue to work across the sector to influence policy makers and defend the sector from disadvantage as a result of COVID-19.

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New low ropes

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video?

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follow the link to discover all you need to know about becoming aa lowland leader.

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Getting started Training Consolidation The period between training and assessment (often referred to as the consolidation period) varies in length for each person and is an opportunity to develop your skills, paying particular attention to any weaknesses identified during the training course. You can use the excuse 'I'm preparing for assessment' to have as many mountain adventures as you like, so get out there and explore this beautiful country of ours! We have also published a book and created an association to support you during your consolidation and after you're qualified. Assessment

To get started on the Lowland Leader qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites:

You must be at least 17 years old

You should have an interest in leading groups in lowland countryside

If the above applies to you, here's what to do next:

Create an account on our Candidate Management System or log in if you already have one.

Register for the Lowland Leader scheme (this costs £49)

Lowland Leader candidate handbook

The Lowland Leader handbook has full details about the scheme including the syllabus and supporting guidance notes (click the image to view or download the handbook). It is available in English and Welsh.

Not quite right?

If this doesn't sound like the right qualification for you, consider the following: You could also read through our ' Which scheme is right for me?' page.

Lowland Leader training lasts for 2 days and will be run by one of our approved providers in one of the many lowland areas of the UK or Ireland.

Before you book onto a Lowland Leader training course, make sure you have done the following:

You must be at least 17 years old

You must be registered on the scheme

You must have recorded a minimum of 10 varied walks in Lowland terrain where the use of a map is required (ideally these will be recorded on DLOG) which can have taken place at any point (pre- or post-registration)

A variety of cost packages are available depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.
Use the Lowland Leader skills checklist

This document can be used during or shortly after your training course to help you identify areas of the syllabus that may require attention.

The Syllabus

Lowland Leaders should be competent in the following key areas, all of which will be covered during your two day training course.

Leadership Skills and Group Management

Walking Skills

Planning a Walk

Basic Mapwork and Route Finding Skills

Equipment

Hazards and Emergency Procedures

Environmental Awareness, Conservation, Access and Land Ownership

Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the Lowland Leader Handbook and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment.

The Mountain Training Association

Join the Mountain Training Association and be part of a community of like-minded people on our schemes. The Association offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders and coaches across the disciplines, as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. You can join the Association at any point after you have registered on one of Mountain Training's leadership/coaching schemes.
Join now

The Book - Hill Walking

Hill Walking has been written specifically for people pursuing Mountain Training's leadership qualifications and it includes essential tips and information for those who wish to lead in the hills as well as being a useful learning aid for recreational walkers. The book is split into three parts: Getting Around in the Hills, The Upland Environment and Group Management. Its functional design with easy-reference pages, striking illustrations and images make this book an indispensable guide to the skills required for summer hill walking.
Buy now

Before you book onto a Lowland Leader assessment, make sure you have done the following:

You must be at least 18 years old

You must have attended a Lowland Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)

You must be familiar with the syllabus

You must have logged a minimum of 20 walks in lowland countryside in different types of terrain (woodland, coastal, farmland etc)

You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment

The Lowland Leader assessment is 2 days long (minimum 16 hours contact time).
Assessments are run by one of our approved providers and a variety of cost packages are available, depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.

After you've passed your assessment, if you're interested in taking groups on multi-day walks, the Expedition Skills Module is the obvious next step.

E-learning
E-learning modules can be accessed through the 'Awards & Training' tab of your CMS account.

Mountain weather

Created by the Met Office for Mountain Training, this free module is packed full of useful information about weather systems, forecasts and how to use this information as a leader to plan your journey. The module takes approximately 1 hour to complete and is available to anyone who has registered on one of our schemes.

Geology

These three modules are free for members of the Mountain Training Association - they have been developed in partnership with Paul Gannon, author of the Rock Trails series of books.

Mountain building
This module covers a basic understanding of mountain building and plate tectonics.

Mountain landscapes and rock types
This module covers a basic understanding of various rock types and how they appear in the landscape.

Mountain destruction
This module explores the ways in which weathering and erosion slowly dismantle mountain ranges and should help you spot signs of the on-going processes of mountain destruction.
View Full Profile

Jamiah Okoye - July 2017

View Full Profile

April Grayson - August 2016

View Full Profile

Sahedul Islam - May 2017

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Getting started To get started on the Lowland Leader qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites: You must be at least 17 years old You should have an interest in leading groups in lowland countryside If the above applies to you, here's what to do next: Create an account on our Candidate Management System or log in if you already have one.

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register interest for paddle sessions in 2022

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If you struggle to remember the basic session plan from training why not print this out and then cut out 4 Aide memoirs to help jog your memory.

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Paddlesup training is the new format from British canoeing to give info on how to progress your career

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Paddles Up Training | Kayak, Canoe, and SUP Coach & Instructor Training

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Start or develop your paddlesport career with Paddles Up Training. Canoe courses, kayak courses, SUP courses, safety courses, and more...

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info on the entry level qualification in Paddlesport can be found here

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Do you want to have fun?

Like to spend time on the water?

With likeminded people?

Do you want to introduce people from all walks of life to paddlesport by running fun, engaging taster and starter sessions?

If so your pathway to becoming a Paddlesport Instructor starts here.

Why take the Paddlesport Instructor Award?

First of all, this is the qualification used by outdoor centres, organisations and clubs to support their activity delivery. Secondly it doesn't matter if you Canoe, Kayak, Sit on Top Kayak, Stand Up Paddleboard, this course allows you to develop your existing skills and passion for paddlesport.

It's your journey, our highly experienced tutors are trained to support you throughout this practical course.

Your course will support you to run games, activities to support learning and inspire adventure for new paddlers.

This qualification is open to everyone over 14 years of age!

The programme will explore a variety of subjects, here is an outline of what you will cover during your course:

What will I learn on the course?

How to effectively prepare a group for an activity (e.g. kitting up and getting afloat);

Together you will play with a range of activities to engage the group (e.g. games, tasks and journeys);

You will explore a range of motivating activities and games that support learning;

The tutors will support you to plan ways of using mini journeys to inspire adventure and exploration;

You will develop ideas that allow you to help participants learn basic skills;

Our tutors will share top tips and quick fixes for common challenges to accelerate learning;

You will investigate how to select suitable equipment for participants;

You will explore methods of maintaining participants' safety and develop your understanding of deployment matters.

There will be opportunities to develop and progress your own paddling skills and meet likeminded people during the course, many of our course candidates develop long lasting friendships, connections and contacts.

You can read the full course guide here: Paddlesport Instructor Course Guide

You could also take a look at the Free Paddlesport Instructor eLearning Click here

Before you book onto your Paddlesport Instructor Course, you will need to be a member of British Canoeing and attend a Foundation Safety And Rescue Training Course and complete your registration.

What is Registration?

Anyone wishing to pursue a Coaching or Leadership Qualification is required to centrally register with the appropriate National Association (British Canoeing, Canoe Wales, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland).Registration is the process by which you confirm your intention to study towards a particular qualification. It includes:

Checking of previous qualifications

Completing and signing the Registration Form

Medical Declaration (if required)

Setting up and providing access to course resources and eLearning (where applicable)

Acceptance of the terms and conditions of study and helps you understand your rights

Whilst undertaking the qualification and how your data will be used.

Once you are registered you become a learner with the Home Nation and we are able to contact you with relevant information and updates to your course of study, help you find a course and local support or mentoring.

When and where does registration take place?

We would recommend that you register as early in your development journey as possible to access all of the support and learning resources. As a bare minimum and to support your learning we would recommend registering at least two weeks before starting your course. Registration is an online process through your British Canoeing membership portal. Registration is separate from booking a place on a course; the latter is done directly with the Course Provider. It is worth noting that many Course Providers want to see evidence of Registration at the point of booking.

What is a Foundation Safety and Rescue Course?

Our highly trained and experienced tutors will explore the knowledge and skills required to keep you and your fellow paddlers safe on sheltered water paddling trips, this fun practical day will be spent looking at simple situations faced by paddlers utilising problem solving and your normally paddling equipment to provide solutions.

You can do both of these things, and find available Paddlesport Instructor courses, using the finder. Click or tap the relevant links below.

Join British Canoeing here: British Canoeing Membership (On the Water)

Find FSRT training here Foundation Safety and Rescue Training

Find Paddlesport Instructor courses here: British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor

Don't forget to register!

We have chosen to provide the British Canoeing Awarding Body(BCAB) Paddlesport Instructor Award for two reasons:

Firstly BCAB has a longstanding reputation of providing industry leading qualifications that are recognised internationally as well as closer to home

BCAB is OfQual regulated, consequently this ensures the highest standards and qualification validity

This combined training and assessment course will enable you to run games and activities to support learning and inspire adventure and exploration for new paddlers in stable craft. On this practical course, you will learn skills such as:

Kitting up a group and getting afloat

Activities and games to support learning

How to use mini journeys to promote exploration of the environment

Keeping your group safe

You need to be able to paddle your Canoe, Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard independently on flat water. You will also need to be able to keep yourself and others safe on and near the water, for example a paddler falling off their craft. We find that paddlers that have completed the Paddle Explore Award or with around 70 hours of personal paddling experience can focus on the training and get the most out of their course. Foundation Safety and Rescue Training takes typically 8hrs and the Paddlesport Instructor course around 15hrs.

A typical Paddlesport Instructor course takes place over 2 days.

If you want to find out more you can visit the British Canoeing Awarding Body Website: Click here

You could also take a look at the Free Paddlesport Instructor eLearning: Click here

British Canoeing eLearning activities to aid anyone taking part or thinking about the Paddlesport Instructor Course.

The British Canoeing Awarding Body Paddlesport Instructor eLearning is designed to support Instructors and aspirant Instructors through varying topics of knowledge and skill. There are 9 topics to choose from, along with a knowledge audit which will help you understand areas you may need to develop further. The activities are free to access, can be accessed in any order and each have a statement of participation that can be downloaded upon completion. Simply choose the package you want to study and then open the link to access the eLearning.

Our tutors are great at putting you at ease, consequently the assessments are part of the learning and as enjoyable as the rest of the course! By the end of the course, you will have to demonstrate knowledge and skills in three areas:

Profesional Standards

Personal Paddling Skills

Rescue Skills

You will know when, where and how you're going to be assessed and have lots of chances to shape those decisions. Upon successful completion of each of these tasks the tutor will recommend the you for certification. Certificates will be emailed to you with the craft stated your certificate.

Please note, you do not need to repeat the Paddlesport Instructor course to have a certificate for every craft. It will be up to you where you work or volunteer to decide what you need to allow you to work in other craft, this could be by undertaking a Personal Performance Award or a competency check performed by your deployer.

If you're nervous about your personal skills and want to make sure your ready for your course we suggest you speak to a more experienced coach and ask them to support you in gaining your Paddle Explore Award or to use the skills check list (in the course guide) to check your ready.

Stand Up Paddleboard Courses

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Paddlesport Instructor | Teach paddlesports in the great outdoors!

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php the_title(); ?> Do you want to have fun? Like to spend time on the water? With likeminded people? Do you want to introduce people from all walks of life to paddlesport by running fun, engaging taster and starter sessions? If so your pathway to becoming a Paddlesport Instructor starts here.

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20st  December - 4th January

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date to be confirmed

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Climbing and Mountaineering national governing body

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COMPETITIONS

The British Lead, Speed and Paraclimbing Championships makes a welcome return to EICA Ratho in Scotland. The 2023 edition of the event takes place between 8 - 10 September 2023.
Read more "

BMC ORGANISATION

Welcome to your BMC update. We sat down with BMC President, Andy Syme, to delve into recent accomplishments and the latest news from the world of hill walking, climbing, and mountaineering
Read more "

ACCESS & CONSERVATION

With the nesting season coming to an end, many climbing areas have been opened early either due to birds fledging early or no birds at all. For those wishing for a few more weeks on their climbing projects this may come as welcome news but the stark reality of this is the impact of a changing climate on the ocean and our sea bird populations is having a drastic affect.
Read more "

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The British Lead, Speed and Paraclimbing Championships makes a welcome return to EICA Ratho in Scotland. The 2023 edition of the event takes place between 8 - 10 September 2023. Read more " Welcome to your BMC update.

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IAKO - Pipa inspection
7th March 2022

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High quality outdoor learning to the young people of Essex and the wider community.