Coastal countryside and sea shore activities

The coast and countryside award training and certificate covers this work and although not mandatory its content gives a reasonable measure of the competence and experience requirements for the leadership of these activities.

Details of the scheme can be found below:

Planning an activity needs to give consideration to the following:

Environmental factors such as:

• the weather forecast leading up to, on the day and following days to give an indication of the trends
• the stability of cliffs and the proximity of the coastal paths to serious fall potentials
• the sea, height of tide, wave sizes, and their characteristics depending upon topography of the beach and the exposure to open sea.

The physical factors:

• the distance between access points
• emergency escape routes
• the rise and fall heights when deciding how far to walk
• domestic animals on the path
• the presence of toilet facilities
• presence of large numbers of members of the public.

The intended activity requirements:

• large numbers of the public present
• impact of weather
• lifting and carrying of equipment
• open water swimming

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