MTA Coasteering – Delivering the Goods
Anglesey Coastline - North Wales
Coasteering is an adventurous and exciting activity that falls under Combined Rock & Water Activities (CRAWA). It has become very popular within the last few years and is a main stream adrenalin tourist activity, being offered by many providers.
SPA and ML holders are often used to deliver these sessions, with some staff holding additional paddlesport qualifications and maybe an MIA. However, as coasteering does not have a qualification pathway, then training, sharing of knowledge, CPD and hands on experience can be difficult to obtain for many MTA members
MTA have addressed this by providing a workshop that looks at a variety of coasteering techniques in addition to addressing national guidance for coasteering under the National Coasteering Charter ( NCC ) Thus, whilst not being a one-stop course designed to become a coasteering guide, it provides an excellent opportunity for those considering or already delivering this activity with a lower range of experience. (Please note this course is not design for experienced / established coasteering guides )
The workshop will be practical based and will focus on moving along the coastline using a combination of coasteering techniques. The workshop will also address many areas including, guidance notes, risk assessments, and the updated coasteering guidance and good practice guidance (2014) from the National Coasteering Charter (NCC), AALA requirements, submersion in cold water, basic rescue techniques and entering water from height (for many known as jumping in). There is no requirement to enter water from height above 1m on the day. However higher options will be on offer and part of the workshop.
This is an ideal opportunity to brush up on skills if your relativly new to the activity or experience for the first time what the activity entails.
Note the plan is visit two coasteering sites on the same day. However, wind, tide and swell may dictate otherwise. The day will be very much water / in the water based after the initial meeting.
Please note, this workshop whilst looking at basic rescue practices, will not cover this area in depth.
Cost £45.00 per person.
Pre course reading, meeting/venue arrangements and equipment lists will be provided once booked onto the course.
Workshops Provider Mark Baggy Richards
Mark has been delivering Sea Level Traversing and Coasteering for over 20 years. He was one of the founders of the National Coasteering Charter Group. (NCC - http://www.nationalcoasteeringcharter.org.uk) and still plays an active part in the NCC by currently being the North Wales regional chair for the National Coasteering Charter Group.
In addition to this, through his various roles within the industry he has written guidance, good practice documents and risk assessments for both of these activities. Alongside delivering training and signing staff off as competence to delivery both activities and working as Technical Advisor for the activities.
He represented Mountain Leader Training in the establishment of UK good practice documents for coasteering and the new Coasteering Charter Group.
His time is taken up managing Blue Peris Mountain Centre in North Wales that delivers both activities on a regular basis, advising establishments for both activities and working as an active MIC and sea kayak coach.