Argyll College UHI gears up for outdoor adventure

Are You Open to Adventure?

If adrenaline-fuelled outdoor activity is your idea of fun, Argyll College UHI has a brand new course which is ideal for you.

NC Outdoor Adventure Sports is a one year course which will include a range of Adventure Sports units overseen by one of the country’s most experienced outdoor activity instructors – Andy Spink of Obanbased Hebridean Pursuits Ltd ( HPL).

Andy, who has spent nearly 30 years running HPL, is passionate about outdoor education. He will be teaching Adventure Sports (canyoning, gorge walking and coasteering), Rock Climbing, Paddle Sports, and Summer and Winter Hillwalking. The course may also include a multi-activity week at HPL’s Tavool House outdoor centre on Mull.

Anatomy, Nutrition, Contemporary Fitness and other subjects are also studied.

“It’s very exciting for us to be given the opportunity to get students participating in - and hopefully enthused by - outdoor adventure and education,” Andy said.

“This course will be a fantastic way for anyone who’s keen on adventure sports and outdoor activities and thinks they might want to pursue a career in that area to get themselves onto the first rung of the ladder. Who knows where that ladder might lead?”

Successful completion of the Level 5 course could lead on to various opportunities including other further education qualifications, apprenticeships and even a degree. The University of the Highlands and Islands currently offers degree courses in Adventure Education, Adventure Performance and Coaching and Adventure Tourism Management at The School of Adventure Studies in Fort William.

According to Andy, there’s no better place in the UK in which to be involved in outdoor education.

“The West Coast of Scotland is one of the world’s best adventure playgrounds, and we’re right in the middle of it,” he said.

“We’ll be doing some really adventurous, fun, ex- citing activities. There will be a classroom element but this is primarily designed as a practical, skills- based course. Our highly experienced team of instructors can’t wait to meet the first group of students and get started.”

More information about this course can be found at www. argyllcollege. ac.uk – search for ‘outdoor adventure’.

Hebridean Pursuits Ltd is part of the Roses Charitable Trust. All proceeds subsidise The Roses Project, which offers residential adventure activities for disadvantaged young people at Tavool House on Mull. For more details, please go to www.hebrideanpursuits.co.uk