East Lothian Council Outdoor Learning Service

Water Based Activities

Paddlesport – Stand Up Paddleboarding
A water-sport requiring the wearing of a wet-suit. Participants stand on a board and use a paddle to propel their craft. This activity can take place on any suitable section of water – inland or sea. At some point the pupils will be required to fall off the board into the water and will more than likely fall in to above head level.
Changing may be required to take place at venue

Paddlesports – Canoe/ Kayak – Sheltered Water
This could be either short introductory session or a river/canal journey. Most sessions of canoeing and kayaking will not require participants to fall in (unless the focus of the session is safety and rescue training) – however many choose to do so toward the end of a lesson. Wet-suits are not normally worn for this activity. Warm clothes and a windproof layer are the norm. A complete change of clothes will be required.
Changing may be required to take place at venue

Paddlesports – Canoe/Kayak – Moderate/Advanced Water
This could be at a section of river or as part of a longer journey. Participants will have had previous training of experience in their chosen craft and will be advised on what to wear – dependent upon time of year; venue; experience and skill level; length of journey. Clothing systems could be anything from: warm clothes and windproofs; drysuit; wet-suit; paddling specific clothing systems.
Changing may be required to take place at venue.

Paddlesports – Sea Kayak
Sea kayaking takes place often more than 200 metres off shore therefore a clothing system that can keep a participant warm when wet is required. Sea kayaking is not a beginners kayaking session and previous training is required for this activity.
Changing may be required to take place at a venue. For example sea kayaking on the west coast – cannot expect young people to travel in minibus for 3 to 4 hours dressed in a wet-suit.

Coasteering/Extreme Rock Pooling
A short coastal journey. Some of the journey will involve swimming in the sea and other sections will involve scrambling on rocks. The journey will take place wholly within the inter-tidal zone or impact zone where the sea meets the land. All participants will be required to wear a full length wet-suit/ wet-suit boots and gloves/ buoyancy aid and helmet. Changing may be required to take place at venue.

Gorge Walk
A journey through a typical gorge environment (steep sided small river valley). Depending on the type of gorge could be anything from merely paddling in a burn – no higher than wellington boot depth to require the wearing of a wetsuit; walking boots and a harness to use a rope climbing up or down a waterfall.
Changing may be required to take place at a venue.

Sailing
Could be undertaken either inland water (small lochs) or tidal waters (Forth). Getting wet is a frequent occurrence sailing and participants will be appropriately attired – often long-john style wet-suit with windproof gear over the top. Changing may be required to take place at venue.

When worn wet-suits require a swimming costume to be underneath. When changing at a venue is required it may mean getting changed in a single sex situation e.g. minibus (with tinted windows); box trailer (door left ajar to ensure adequate lighting); shipping container (door ajar to allow light); group tent; any other reasonable private (safe) area in remote settings.

Land Based Activities

Orienteering
Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport that exercises both the mind and the body. The aim is to navigate in sequence between control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. After initial training in reading of the map and a safety briefing the pupils may be sent off as a pair within a defined area. The pupils will be remotely supervised – an adult will not accompany them at all times.

Rock Climbing
Using ropes to scale a rock face. Can be either outdoors or in a climbing wall. All participants will be required to wear a harness and when climbing outside a helmet. The fitting of a harness will require the staff to be in close contact with the participant to ensure that the harness is fitted correctly.

Bouldering
Climbing or traversing indoors or out close to the ground, normally without a rope or harness.

Scrambling
A journey across a rocky area normally requiring the use of a rope.

Hill-walking
A journey by foot. Often the only specialist equipment that is required is a pair of boots that provides support for the ankle and has a good tread, although not essential. Whatever the time of year the following  is essential for all to take on the hill – quality waterproofs, food, drink, spare fleece top, hat and gloves.

Winter Hill-walking
This would involve travelling over snow/ice covered ground and as part of an educational package may include use of ice-axe; crampons; snowshoes. The equipment required for this will be shared with participants in a pre-meeting.

Ski Touring
This involves travelling by ski away from the pisted areas. Ascent is using skis fitted with skins. Other activities are similar to those of Winter Hill-walking with the addition of avalanche safety equipment.

Please note that for many activities take place in remote settings and as such toilet facilities may not be available. Outdoor Learning staff will be able to advise participants on the best method/ place of waste disposal if necessary.