While some adventure jobs offered by companies running activity centres may be full time and permanent, the nature of the industry means that, especially for outdoor adventure jobs, the work is very seasonal. You tough outdoor types may not mind working in all weathers, but when the British winter kicks in and it starts to get cold as well as wet, falling visitor numbers may mean the centre closes until the Spring. Seasonal work like this means a higher turnover of staff. If your employer does shut the centre and cannot afford to keep you on all year, you may find another more permanent job rather than return to them in time for the new season. This high turnover makes it somewhat easier to get started in the adventure industry.
Activity instructor jobs (also referred to as multi activity instructors), are often based at a purpose built centre. The ultimate outdoor job, you may specialise in a couple of activities, or you may be trained to cover a wide range. Read advice given by industry insiders.
Multi Activity Instructor Jobs
Our wonderful coastline and appetite for water based adventure sports has created a big demand for qualified instructors in surfing, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. Read our watersports career guide to find out how to get qualified and get working.
Watersports Instructor Jobs
Working as a canoe instructor could see you introducing a group of school children to paddling on a small lake or you could be teaching already competent canoeists how to improve their white water technique. Find out how to further your career.
Paddlesports
Being able to climb and to teach other people how to climb is an important skill. The single pitch award or climbing wall qualification are the most useful for getting started as an instructor. From there our complete guide takes you through the various employment options and salary expectations.
Climbing & Mountain Leader
This increasingly popular sport is very competitive when it comes to teaching. Skills instructors should make sure they have the MBLA qualification and a hands on approach to maintainance. Vacancies tend to fill fast, so hearing about them first on our facebook page will give you a head start!
Mountain Biking
Surfers need to look at either the ISA or ASI. While The Royal Life Saving Society UK is the national governing body for training and education in lifesaving, lifeguarding and water safety.
Beach & Lifeguard
Summer Camps Staff
While some of the excellent instructor training schemes and BTEC courses do equip you with a fistful of NGB qualifications, if you are thinking about applying for a senior instructor or centre manager role, you will usually be expected to have some experience under your belt. Find out more about senior instructors, chief instructors and centre managers.
Senior & Management
Trainee apprenticeship schemes are work based learning schemes which act as a stepping stone towards a career in the outdoor industry. They allow you to gain industry recognised qualifications while earning money!
Apprenticeships
Perhaps you want to spend a season working in outdoor adventure as a way of filling the time between college and university, or on a temporary basis before you start working towards that 'proper' job that your parents want you to get. Or maybe you are serious about getting on and making as much money as you can, which still enjoying a career in outdoor adventure. If you are wondering which roles are going to give you the highest disposable income then take a look at this article as we bring you details of eight well paid jobs.
You probably went on a residential activity holiday when you were at school; most children do. Getting a job as one of those idolised instructors is actually easier than you may think. Hundreds of thousands of school kids every year means lots of centres and each one requires plenty of instructors. For young people, the wages are pretty good considering the alternatives, and when you factor in the training, experience and qualifications you can achieve in a single season... So how do you get involved? We discuss the different options for starting out, and offer some valuable inside tips on passing a selection weekend.
With all the options available for the many different types of water based sports, we could probably give it a website all of its own. The guide serves as a basic introduction to the activities you can pursue on water, including sailing, windsurfing and surfing. The skills and qualifications, especially those you can pick up quite early in your career, are also useful to non-water based activity centres. Even far from the coast you will find most activity centres offer some form of watersport. But once you have the Dinghy Instructor qualification, will you be able to stop yourself wanting to become a Yatchmaster?
