Outdoor activity instructors are the face of the industry, highly trained individuals passionate about nature and outdoor activities. Great instructors embody dedication, patience and a commitment to personal development, and they encourage others to engage with new challenges.
A qualified instructor supports groups by providing safety, instruction, growth and room for risk-taking. The results are shared experiences, new-found passion for the outdoors, personal achievement and team building.
So, how do great instructors achieve that? They proactively seek knowledge and training opportunities, practise existing and new skills, look after their physical and mental health, and maintain a good attitude. Read on for our top tips for aspiring instructors.
Grow your skill set with excellent outdoor activity instructor training
Outdoor instructor training is a fundamental part of your skill set. Training provides the knowledge, skills and techniques you will need to safely run activities, plus the basics of instruction and group management. Most employers ask for National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications to ensure that you meet the national standard of coaching and safety practises. Many NGBs also offer professional networks that can support your career goals.
How to get the most out of your professional development:
Seek training opportunities in different locations: you will benefit from exposure to various trainers and teaching styles and experience a range of environments that will strengthen your skill set.
Be receptive to feedback: clients, colleagues, trainers and line managers are good sources of information on your performance, whether it’s session delivery, a technical aspect or time management. It never hurts to ask for feedback, and you will only benefit from looking at your abilities objectively with an eye to improvement.
Every day is different, and instructors benefit from a proactive approach to learning about the industry and the activities they specialise in - bonus points if you can inspire that passion in clients!
If you are wondering where to start with outdoor instructor training, check out our post on how to find the best training path for you.
Instructor's insight: Scoop up all the information you can when out training - your trainers are a fantastic source of information with years of experience behind them. Find out how they manage nervous adventurers, navigate interesting client questions, or troubleshoot safety scenarios - if it’s an appropriate time to ask, you might as well. This also goes for colleagues and line managers!
Get fit for outdoor instructor life and look after yourself
Being an instructor is an active job, and we love it. We enjoy the outdoors, sharing our enthusiasm with others and showing people new ways to experience adventure. Because it can be a physically demanding career, it's important to look after yourself. It's easier to focus and be present with your group when your body is comfortable.
Top tips for managing your physical wellbeing:
Snacks are your friend: lots of snacks and water help keep energy levels up.
Check the weather: pack your day bag accordingly. Hot and sunny? You’ll want that hat, sun cream and lots of water, perhaps even some electrolytes. Cold and wet? Bring your waterproofs, warm layers and a hot drink in a flask.
On days off or during downtime, try to incorporate relaxing activities like stretching, walking and personal hobbies to help keep the body and mind settled.
Instructor's insight: Organise your equipment system and be consistent with where you pack personal items like clothing layers, food and drinks. It may sound incidental, but when you know where everything is, you can relax and focus on the group.
A great activity instructor is equipped and comfortable
Outdoor activities require a range of equipment, from minimal to highly technical. Plus, you will experience a variety of weather conditions and environments. Centres will likely have things you can borrow, like kayaks or climbing equipment, but there are some items you will prefer to have in your personal kit store. Things like footwear, waterproofs, helmets, buoyancy aids, gloves, sunglasses, warm jackets and base layers are likely to be personal purchases for reasons of comfort and fit.
How to build a kit system for instructor life:
When shopping for personal equipment, check out reviews online and recommendations from colleagues.
National Governing Bodies often have discount offers with some retailers, so it is worth checking your memberships.
Go for quality over fashion: how you use your equipment is very different from how a weekend warrior may use theirs, so be picky about quality where you can and try to buy the best you can afford.
National retailers like Cotswold Outdoor and Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports offer discounts to NGB members, as do local shops like Outdoors & Active in Weston-Super-Mare and The Gorge Outdoors in Cheddar. When you join an organisation like the British Mountaineering Council or Paddle UK (formerly the British Canoe Union), look at their list of retailers offering members discounts.
Instructor's insight: If you’re starting on your instructor path, focus on building up your personal kit basics before taking the plunge on expensive technical pieces you can borrow, like kayaks or skis.
Mind your head
Your headspace is as important as your physical health. It’s a challenge to share your passion if you are distracted, and it can present a safety concern for your clients. A present, enthusiastic mindset can help you be a great instructor, ready to offer your group a fantastic session.
Tips for managing mental wellbeing:
Aim for as much sleep as possible: rest contributes to physical and mental recovery, which can help with focus and a positive outlook.
Plan your days off to balance personal adventures with rest days.
Explore mindfulness techniques that help with relaxation, focus, or your desired experience.
Instructor's insight: Talk to your friends in and outside of the industry. It helps with perspective, is an opportunity to talk through whatever is on your mind, and contributes to a sense of community.
Outdoor instructors make adventure approachable
Connection is key when coaching people through activities and risks they may not have encountered before. Importantly, this ability to connect comes from personal experience and empathy for others. When people feel seen and valued, they can approach challenges more confidently.
So, it is a great instructor’s job to be approachable and knowledgeable, which is communicated to clients by the instructor’s presentation of themselves and the session content.
How you present yourself includes:
Physical posture, including hand positions and gestures
Facial expressions
Uniform, equipment and accessories
Clarity and tone of voice
Language and manner of address to the group
Everyone is different, and each instructor has their unique style. Over time, you will develop your own approach that helps you connect with clients and support them with their adventures.
Easy-to-remember ways to connect with clients:
Stand up straight and aim to clasp your hands together rather than cross your arms.
Smile and make your eyes visible when talking to people - take off the sunglasses.
Be enthusiastic.
Use inclusive language.
Maintain attention to detail, whether that’s safety aspects or individual behaviours.
Presentation is a large part of an outdoor instructor’s role, and great instructors can create a connection that allows clients to feel they can safely push their boundaries and experience risk by choice.
Instructor's insight: Confident presentation will also help you navigate unexpected events or occasions with extra time to use up. Chat with your trainers and colleagues about how they present themselves, and take up shadowing opportunities whenever you can.
Attitude underpins everything
Many qualities contribute to a great instructor, but your ability to maintain a good attitude will most shine through. Your group’s enjoyment of outdoor activities will benefit from your enthusiasm, and you can stay fresh and excited about the industry by positively engaging with new learning opportunities. Many of us possess these traits naturally, but it’s good to be aware of how they play a part in cultivating a proactive, inclusive attitude.
Qualities of great outdoor activity instructors include:
Adaptable
Knowledgeable
Empathetic
Fun
Professional
Lifelong learner
Respectful
Humble
Instructor's insight: Every day is a school day, and you will never know everything. So, stay humble and cultivate curiosity throughout your career - you will have many opportunities to share insightful experiences and knowledge with clients, colleagues and more.
Inspire future adventure lovers
Outdoor instructors create a gateway to new challenges and opportunities for people who may not have experienced nature like this before. It is a fantastic position and fun to be part of the effort to help people unplug from their daily routines and launch a bit of adventure into their lives.
Find out more...
Interested in working in the outdoors? Discover the Mendip Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training program here and find out how we help develop great instructors. If you would like more information, please send your questions to info@mendip.co.uk or use the contact form on the webpage.