Compile a detailed report based on two outdoor adventure activities, one land-based and one water-based

is a very healthy, relaxing and rewarding form of physical activity that can last well into retirement years. Meanwhile younger generations are attracted in larger numbers to the obvious adventure of an expedition to the mountains or the challenge of rock climbing.

(www.thebmc.co.uk)

Windsurfing is a sport that instantly captured the imagination, when it was invented in 1969, and as time passes has established itself as a genuinely new sport. It has grown so rapidly that it now enjoys official Olympic status, has millions of followers around the world and has given rise to a multi-million dollar industry. Although there are so many participants in the sport it is likely that all of them would hold different reasons for doing it. Some might say it is because it is easy, convenient, fun-filled and even relaxing whilst others may describe it as 'a challenging and exhilarating sport that requires considerable skill and a competitive spirit'.

There are sailors who may own just one board and sail on a local lake during their spare time, and there are sailors might own 4 or 5 boards and travel around the world in search for bigger and better waves to test their abilities! The attraction is simple. Windsurfing is great fun and can be enjoyed by all.

(The All Colour Guide To Windsurfing,

by Stephen Turner)

CUSTOMERS

Although it would seem that rock climbing is an activity that almost anybody could take part in anytime and anywhere, the British Mountaineering Council's participation statement says that:

'the BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a

danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be

aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and

involvement.'

(www.theBMC.co.uk)

Mintel estimated that in 1993 there were 4.3 million walkers and 700,000 climbers in Britain, and that over a four-year period participation in climbing had grown by 40% making it Britain's fastest growing popular sport. Mintel also reported that according to the Government's Household survey that 'some 5% of men and 5% of women had participated in climbing in 1999... up from 4% and 2% respectively in 1996'.

Since the first ever world cup for competition climbing in 1989 there has been 6 more major international competitions. These events are popular with spectators and have diversified with lecture programmes and specialist workshops and other training opportunities. Over 6000 people attended 'Climb '99' when, with a lottery grant of £46,700, the UIAA World Championships came to the UK for the first time. There is now an annual circuit of local, regional and national indoor climbing competitions for seniors and juniors.

The majority of participation is informal recreational visits to cliff and mountain areas by groups of friends and clubs and although many events are based locally, indoor competition climbing takes place on a home nation and regional basis. (www.thebmc.co.uk)

To promote equal opportunities for all those who wish to participate and progress within rock climbing; and to promote awareness about ethical standards and heritage, the BMC promise to do a number of things:

* Provide guidance and information for young participants and parents

* Co-ordinate and run a programme of youth events

* Support and train a network of areas youth volunteers and leaders with guidance for running events, junior clubs and youth programmes including awareness about child protection and equal opportunities

* Co-ordinate and run training, youth and excellence programmes

* Promote equal opportunities and inclusion in all specialist programmes and activities and raise awareness about and the needs of particular groups.

* Protect and promote the heritage of climbing, hill walking and mountaineering

Windsurfing is an activity which generally is quite difficult for people to take part in, because of limited areas to do it in, the expense of the equipment required and also the difficulty of the activity itself. However, as I explained earlier the sport has a number of benefits that still manage to attract people to the sport.

According to the RYA people as young as 10 regularly take part in windsurfing and belong to clubs situated all round the UK. A good example of this is at 'The Medway Outdoor Education Centre', where we went to ask a few questions about what they have to offer! The majority of their customers are upper primary school children (aged 9-11), and other groups such as the cubs and guides. There is also a scheme, run by the Kent County Council, called 'All Fired Up' which specifically targets students with limited academic qualifications. The aim of this is to raise self-esteem, confidence and their motivation levels. Apart from the younger participants at this club, they also pointed out that they have moved away from mostly middle-class male participants, to there being a large percentage of females taking part in the sport.

National Governing Bodies

We have already looked at just how much the popularity of these two activities has increased enormously within the UK, over recent years. Consequently the role of national governing bodies and regulatory bodies has also had to develop. This is mainly to ensure the safety of the activities but also to protect the environment in which they are carried out in.

There are a vast number of national governing bodies and regulatory bodies involved within the world of rock climbing, some of which are listed below:

* British Mountaineering Council (BMC)

* Mountain Leader Training Board (MLTB)

* United Kingdom Mountain Training Board (UKMTB)

* Mountain Rescue Council of England and Wales (MRC)

* British Association of European Mountain Leaders (BAEML)

* Association of British Climbing Centres (ABC)

* .... And many others!

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC)

'Our Mission Statement

Through a democratic representative structure the BMC will:

* Negotiate access improvements and promote cliff and mountain conservation

* Promote and advise on good practice, facilities, training and equipment

* Support events and specialist programmes including youth and excellence

* Provide services and information for members.

* We have over 25,000 individual members and 25,000 club members.

(www.thebmc.co.uk)

'Statement of intent

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) aims to ensure that all people, irrespective of their age, gender, ability, race, religion, ethnic origin, creed, colour, social status or sexual orientation, have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate in climbing, hill walking and mountaineering at all levels and in all roles. That is, as a beginner, participant or performer, and as a coach, leader, instructor, official, manager, administrator or spectator. It is the aim of the BMC to ensure that all present and potential members/employees of the BMC receive fair treatment. (www.thebmc.co.uk)

The Association of British Climbing Centres

The ABC was formed in 1994 and meets three times a year to discuss and address the many issues and opportunities facing this service industry. As the representative body of Climbing Centre Managers & Owners, the ABC has set itself 3 objectives upon which to base its agenda.

* Development & benchmarking of Safe Practice & Quality Management Processes for operating Climbing Centres.

* Production & promotion of a sustainable national Climbing Centre Development Strategy.

* Promotion & Development of sustainable and synergistic ABC members network.

The ABC is an associate Member of the BMC and recognises its role as the representative body of mountaineers & climbers. The ABC also fully adheres to and supports the BMC's Participation Statement (see above). (www.abcclimbingwalls.co.uk)

Although there is just one main governing body within windsurfing which controls most of what happens within the sport, there are a number of other organisations that help with the smooth running of the sport.

* The Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

* The UK Windsurfing Association (UKWA)

* The International Windsurfing Association (IWA)

* The British Windsurfing Association (BWA)

The International Windsurfing Association

Our Association promotes the activities of all the World's active International and Recognised Windsurfing Classes.

The IWA Executive has set itself the goal of administering, assisting and co-ordinating the activities of all the Classes while encouraging each of them to make their own decisions concerning their future.

The UK Windsurfing Association

Mission Statement - To organise and provide first class competition for the members of the association in whichever classes they wish to compete.

Legalese: The UK Windsurfing Association is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, whose objectives include, but are not limited to:

* To promote the sport of windsurfing in all its branches

* To protect, promote and represent the interests of windsurfers (UK) both at a national and an international level

* To act as an association for all windsurfing classes for racing under ISAF rules; and to organise events for all types of competitive sailor

* To encourage and support the instructions and training of windsurfers, and in particular training for national and international racing

* To examine, study, investigate and report on all matters affecting the sport of windsurfing

The members of the UKWA decide on policy at the AGM and elect a Management Committee to administer the affairs of the Association.

The Royal Yachting Association

The role of the Royal Yachting Association is to develop yachting, under sail and power, in all its recreational and competitive forms.

The RYA is the national authority for the administration of yachting and the governing body for yacht racing. As such, the Association:

* Protects the right and freedoms of its members, both individuals and organisations.

* Represents their interests and those of the wide yachting public to international, national and local organisations and government,

* Provides advice, services and information,

* Encourages participation

* Raises standards of proficiency and safety

* Establishes and administers training programmes

* Promotes and publicises all aspects of yachting for the greater enjoyment of its members and all participants.

The RYA works in close co-operation with the British Marine Industries Federation on a wide variety of issues. Many of these joint initiatives have, as their objective, the expansion of boating under sail or power, to which the RYA is dedicated.

The RYA acts as the Secretariat for the European Boating Association who deals with Brussels on European Union matters and is a member of the European Union Sailing Association for EU racing matters. (www.rya.org.uk)

There are also a few regulatory bodies which are involved in both Rock Climbing and Windsurfing:

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA)

The AALA inspects activity centres and other activity providers on behave of the Department of Education and Skills (DfES). If the licensing authority is satisfied that the provider complies with nationally accepted standards of good practice they issue a license. (NEXT PAGE - The AALA regulations 1996, public Information Sheet)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

HSE's job is to help the Health and Safety Commission ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Websites:

* www.thebmc.co.uk

* www.climbinfo.co.uk

* www.aala.org.uk

* www.rya.org.uk

* www.hse.co.uk

* www.yachtclublink.org.uk

* www.BASP.org.uk

Books:

* The All Colour Guide to Windsurfing - By Stephen Turner

* Performance Rock Climbing - By Dale Goddard and Udo Neumann

* How to Rock Climb! - By John Long

* The Ultimate Guide to Windsurfing - By Nik Baker

e-mails:

* [email protected]

* [email protected]

* [email protected]