OUTDOOR PROFESSIONALS CO-OPERATIVE

GARY MITCHELL

Head of Centre - Dulwich College Field Centre

I was lucky enough to have grown up in Mid-Wales where outdoor activities were fairly standard on the National Curriculum, and I was given the opportunity to participate in Canoeing, rock climbing and walking expeditions from a young age. 

As soon as I had my own transport at the age of 17 I joined the Mid-Wales Caving Club where my interest in Outdoor pursuits really started.  At the age of 18 I moved away from home to study a National Diploma in Leisure Studies at  Coleg Powys in Brecon, this provided the basis for several of my future careers.  My Diploma was complemented by obtaining a degree in Leisure Studies from Leeds.

A few years later on I returned to the South Wales area, where I gained the position of assistant manager  at the well known Mountain Centre above Libanus, working for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.  After three years there I left to take on the position as Head of Centre for Dulwich College at it’s field centre in the South West of the National Park.  During my time at the centre I have worked closely with all the members of Outdoor Professionals Co-operative (OPC) and all the activities run from the Centre link closely to the co-operative, and its objectives.  This is important to me as I would consider myself to be a conservationist with many interests in the outdoors, and I value the fact that there are others that work under the umbrella of the OPC that share similar values and will work to protect and safeguard the environment we all enjoy.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Being the first mountain bike hire centre in the Brecon Beacons National Park and the first company to produce dedicated off road routes, for sale at tourist and National Park information centres, we are the obvious choice for that guided ride you have been thinking about.

Biking along rocky tracks can be dangerous, as can long hill descents, so we have developed procedures that do much to eliminate accidents.

Our days are not purely vicarious pleasure, although there is a bit of that involved, but more a gentle day, enjoying the scenery that it would take an age to walk through. We start with bike checks, then basic training, ensuring all clients can handle the bike. Along the journey we play cycling games that build handling skills, practice emergency stops and encourage good track sense, stopping distance being most important.

Our favored routes start gently and increase in difficulty - we learn as we cover ground. Over any serious or fast sections no one is allowed to cycle past the lead rider, usually the instructor, thus maintaining a safe speed.

This is an ideal group activity for those who want to truly get away from it all.

We no longer have a hire centre due to the time necessary to maintain the bikes, but have partners that supply quality, well maintained machines for our enjoyment.

Mountain biking is hard work, but well worth it!

To make an inquiry or for a group booking please contact Wales Outdoors Limited

GORGE WALK THIS WEEKEND

We will be running a gorge walk this coming weekend, Saturday the 2nd Feb, in South Wales, and there are places available. We supply all kit, insurance and instruction and the cost is £35 pp if booked through this site. Late booking means cash on the day but we would need to know that you are coming, your boot size requirements and of course provide you with directions so, if interested, please E-Mail Wales Outdoors Limited and send in your details.

We can help with accommodation if required and of course, as always, guarantee a day to remember....

There is also a gorge walk the following weekend, the 9th February and the price and booking details are as above.

THE BRECON BEACONS

The Brecon Beacons, Britain's First Geo Park and the closest area of wild uplands to London and the Midlands.... but so often overlooked. Discover the hidden gems and less frequented areas, the unusual and diverse landscape and the hospitality of the area.

These are some of the activities that the Outdoor Professionals Co-operative offer in the Brecon Beacons. The members of the co-operative offer all of these activities through their individual business, but members do have specialisations, so, where an activity title is a link, clicking on it will take you to the appropriate specialists home page.

CLIMBING - Limestone quarry or Sandstone outcrop, small groups with elements of personal training / skill building. We can tailor make this activity to suite your requirements.

POWER KITES - Power kites training then onto a mountain board or three wheeled buggy and across the common you fly... This works very well as a mixed day with archery and a BBQ

GORGE WALK - Wetsuit, buoyancy, helmet - WATER - this is a wet walk along a river with some rope work and great pool jumping at the end. A classic day out!

MOUNTAIN BIKE - We devised the first routes and were the first mountain bike hire point in the Brecon Beacons - the obvious choice then for guided rides!

CANOE - A placid session on a reservoir, canal or more lively on the river. Canadian canoes are great fun and are excellent for team building. We can star test. Canoe through a tunnel at Talybont on Usk? On the river Wye at Hay on Wye? Your choice.

CAVING - Dark, dank, but not dreary... Caving is a great sport and South Wales is the UK's premier location. We start with big holes to get you used to being underground. Excellent in winter as it is usually warmer underground!

HILL WALKING - Hill walking with a knowledgeable guide... much better than getting lost! We tailor make all of our walks to suite your location and requirements. For quotes regarding NAVIGATION AWARDS, EXPEDITIONS and ORIENTEERING - contact any co-operative member.

A GORGE-OUS DAY......

ON THE WAY TO WALES it was raining and the activity day planned was looking like a bad idea. We were to be in the water!

Our accommodation, a bunkhouse, of which there are many in the Brecon Beacons National Park, was clean, dry and near a watering hole of a pleasant kind. After a meal, a selection of refreshing beverages through the evening and a good nights sleep, we were greeted at what seemed like the crack of dawn by our instructor for the day.

Wiping away the sand from the corners of our eyes we followed our instructors car to Dinas Rock car park where a huge quarried cliff towered above us. Much to the amusement of passers by we changed into our wetsuits as discreetly as possible, topping our sleek (?), black appearance with a bright orange safety helmet! Next seasons catwalks may feature a few surprises if the photos get into designers hands. Our Hen Party was now ready for the job in hand.

First off, our instructor felt that we needed an ice breaker and so, to get us used to touching each other we had a go at 'bum surfing'. I will let you imagine the scene...... next we had a chat about safety procedures. At this point a few of us asked each other what have we let ourselves in for, looking like seals with sore heads, then, without a chance to drop out, we were off into the gorge. We clambered over rocks, traversed along walls above the water, squeezed ourselves through craggy gaps between boulders.

Then a lunch in the local community hall, where, if you could get out of the skin tight wetsuits, a comfort break could be enjoyed.

In the afternoon we traversed waterfalls and swam through pools, the climax of the day being a 20 foot high jump into a black as pitch and icy cold pool.

We all looked a bit disheveled at the end of the day but amazingly the instructor remained impeccable, something about professionalism he said... hmmmm...

We laughed in the pub about the day over a pint or few and still talk about our gorge-ous day.

NOTE

Please be aware that the gorges of the Brecon Beacons National Park are fragile and contain some rare plant life. We use only one location for this activity, chosen because of damage caused by industry, now only visible as interesting remnants of past activity.

The Outdoor Professionals Co-operative subscribe to the guidelines as described in the Brecon Beacons Environmental Charter Group and as such run gorge walking sessions in as sustainable manner as possible.

SIR EDMUND HILARY DIES

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber to scale the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, has died aged 88.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark described the explorer as a heroic figure and said all New Zealanders would deeply mourn his passing.

Sir Edmund's health had reportedly been in decline since April, when he suffered a fall while visiting Nepal.

He was the first man to climb the 8,850m (29,035ft) peak, with Tenzing Norgay, on 29 May 1953.

Returning to Everest's South Col camp, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off."

His Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003.

Prayer ceremonies are being held in Nepal to pay tribute to Sir Edmund, the charity says.

To see this is it's original location and to read more click HERE

GORGE WALKING

For those who want to get stuck into an activity that challenges throughout, Gorge Walking is the one to choose. Negotiating our way along one of the South Wales river gorges, you will grapple with scrambling and climbing skills, test your balance, help each other and visit places that you never expected or thought possible.

A great personal or team challenge, this is one of our most popular outdoor activities and we provide it throughout the year. We run this activity in one of two ways :

Classic Gorge Walk - a technical approach to negotiating the gorge using your won skills and ropes, keeping dry if possible until the end. Ideal for team events as it requires a lot of help from each other.

Wet Gorge Walk - wet from the start with plenty of time spent actually in the water. More of a personal challenge and great fun.

You choose which approach suits you.

All safety equipment is provided for this activity and suitable footwear and helmets are compulsory for all events. Buoyancy Aids will be provided for any sessions involving deep water.

CAVING AND POTHOLING

South Wales is one of the most exciting caving areas in Britain with a great variety of caves and potholes. We can offer caving sessions at all levels and we choose the most appropriate caves to suit the needs of each group.

Take this opportunity to visit the fascinating world of underground Wales and experience the sport of caving as well as seeing what is hidden in the underworld beneath our feet.

Caving can be delivered as a single half or whole day activity or as a taster within a Multi-Activity session. It can also be an opportunity to learn skills and as a way of visiting numerous underground sites with experienced and qualified caving Instructors.

Most of the caves of south Wales are horizontal in nature and don’t require vertical skills, making them ideal for both newcomers and experienced cavers who want to travel further underground or visit new sites.

For those interested in vertical underground exploration, we can offer:

Caving Vertical Skills Training
Learn the skills of vertical caving with qualified and experienced cave instructors.

This training can include:

• Safe use of Ladder and Lifeline
• SRT Training - beginners and improvers
• Rigging for ladder and lifeline and for SRT
• Self rescue techniques for ladder and line or SRT

These courses all include both surface and underground sessions

Cave Leader Instructor Training and Assessment

We regularly provide training, assessment and revalidation for the BCA LCMLA Scheme

For more information please visit Adventure Wales.

TECHNICAL ADVICE

All members of the OPC have extensive experience and work to National Governing Body standards. However, if you’re looking for something that bit more special, some of our members hold higher level qualifications; these allow them to offer personal instruction in the more technical aspects of our activities as well as providing technical advice to other activity providers.

Matt Rees holds the Mountaineering Instructor Award allowing him to instruct and advise in all aspects of rock climbing and summer mountaineering as well as hillwalking. MIA holders can become full members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors, the relevant professional body. You can read a little of the assessment process for the MIA here .

So whether your climbing aspirations are climbing your first route outside, learning to lead or dealing with complex multi-pitch rescue scenarios, the OPC can help you to realise your ambitions.

GARY EVANS

I love the Outdoors, always have. Having been first introduced to walking and camping outdoors, then to outdoor activities in my early teens as a Scout, I have been involved in some kind of outdoor pursuit ever since. It was walking and horses for many years and then something of an obsession with Caving set in. I enjoy anything outdoors – climbing, walking, skiing, paddling – whatever, but it always comes back to caving in the end.

Working in Engineering for 13 years was fine, but I felt there was something else, so taking the opportunity whilst I had the courage, I left full time employment 17 years ago and set up my own business running outdoor activities and outdoor development courses. Hawk Associates handle the development work and Adventure Wales deliver all the outdoor activity aspects.

One of the things about running a business that can be hard is the isolation that is experienced when all decisions and thinking are down to one person. It can be hard to find ways to move forward and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. Setting up and continuing to work with the co-operative has been a super way to escape from the isolation and work with like minded people. We help each other and challenge each other to be as good as we can be.

There is a hell of a lot of skill, experience and enthusiasm in the group and it really motivates me in a way that I was struggling to achieve previously.

I hope our enthusiasm is evident on this website – we really want to be able to give you the experiences you are seeking and we want to do it in a safe and sustainable way.