What is stand up paddle boarding?

Stand up paddle boarding involves standing up on a board that floats on water and using a paddle to move around. The paddle board looks similar to a surf board and is made from glass-reinforced plastic around a polyurethane or expanded polystyrene foam core.

Guy Fisher, Director of SUP Rentals Ltd in the UK explains, “Stand-up paddling has become one of the fastest growing sports all over the world. The water based activity can be enjoyed on any pool of water, be it a river, lake or sea at any time. In addition to the fun that can be had, it is a great sport that provides full body and low impact exercise which improves body balance and overall strength.

How was stand up paddle boarding invented?

Stand up paddle boarding was said to have originated on the African coast where people stood up in their dugout canoes to get a better view of what was around them, especially looking out for danger. This is the reason that lifeguards also use stand up paddle boards to look out for anyone who might need help and to be able to quickly get to them.

Another reason that stand up paddle boarding came into favour as a sport was in Hawaii where it was adopted as a different way to go surfing when there weren’t many big waves. SUP enables you to practice your surfing technique and balance in the sea when there isn’t much swell.

Due to the stability of stand up paddle boards, they have become increasingly popular as a recreational activity, allowing you to get unique views of nature from the water.

What do you wear for stand up paddle boarding?

You can wear whatever you want for stand up paddle boarding, however you might want to think about the temperature and getting wet if you fall in.

In warmer weather, T shirt and shorts will be just fine, but if the water is a bit cold for you, a wetsuit may be required. You can buy wetsuits or rent them from the place you rent your board from.

Where Can I Try Stand up Paddle Boarding in the UK?

Being an island, the UK is a great place to try stand up paddle boarding. There are an enormous range of places where you can go to hire one. But if you fancy trying stand up paddle boarding on a patch of water near you and there isn’t a board hire shop nearby, you can now get a paddle board delivered to your door!

SUP Rentals Ltd in the UK – Stand up Paddle Boards for Hire and Delivered to Your Door

SUP Rentals Ltd is an Oxfordshire based stand up paddle board hire business offering inflatable paddle boards to rent in the UK.

SUP boards are larger boards and the desire to travel with them has led to the development of an inflatable system where the board and pump can be carried in a back pack.

SUP Rentals Ltd offers the rent of stand up paddleboards from one day, up to two weeks with prices starting at £15 per day per paddle board.

Each stand up paddleboard – the Zray Tourer Elite 330 cm / 10’6” – is perfect for adults or families and comes with its own pump, ensuring quick and easy inflation.

The inflatable stand up paddle boards are lightweight and pack down in to a rucksack and the company will deliver to the customer via courier to their doorstep – or customers can collect from their base in Oxfordshire.

The inflatable stand up paddle boards can be rolled up and packed in a lightweight pack for easy transportation. The boards are safe and durable, with a more rigid construction technology than other inflatable boards currently on the market. SUP Rentals have a long history in renting equipment for water based activities and the quality of their equipment and safety of their customers is second to none. It is awesome to be able to rent a stand up paddle board that is delivered right to your door. In addition, when hiring the SUP boards, life jackets and dry bags can be reserved through the online booking process.

If you want to buy your own inflatable stand up paddle board in the UK, it will set you back around £500. You can buy them from stores such as Decathlon, Surf Boutique or Amazon.

The Great Social Stand Up Paddle Boarding Trip

Stand up paddle boarding is pretty straightforward and easy to learn. The boards are very stable and make for a great way to spend your recreational time at the weekends with friends. You can go online and rent a couple of inflatable boards, get them delivered to your door and then have some fun at the weekend.

If you are still wondering if it is easy to learn how to stand up paddle board, this Youtube video explains everything for you.

The post Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards to Get You On the Water More appeared first on Active Outdoors.

Outdoor Team Building Activities Ideas

This is just a brief introduction to outdoor team building.  For a complete guide, I have set up a website dedicated to team building. You can find over 100 ideas for outdoor team building activities and free guides for team building activities for kids, teens and adults.

The most popular team building activities tend to focus around team coordination, trust, leadership, communication and team bonding.

Use the resource list below for more specific ideas for outdoor team building activities:

• Ice Breaker Games
• Quick Team Building Activities
• Team Building Activities for Kids
• Team Building Activities for Teens
• Team Building Activities for Adults
• Leadership Skills
• Problem Solving Activities
• Physical Team Building Activities
• Team Bonding Activities
• 40 Popular Outdoor Team Building Activities
• Corporate Events
• Corporate Retreats
• Team Building for Sports Teams
• Military Team Building

What are Outdoor Team Building Activities?

Outdoor team building activities and games are designed to create a challenge that enables you to show how you work in a team. You can discover whether you are more comfortable as a team leader or as a team player.  Doing team building activities outdoor enables everyone t get away from the normal work or educational environment and discover more aobut themselves on neutral ground.

Taking part in outdoor team building activities and working as part of a team helps you to develop personal skills, leadership skills, team skills, communication skills and problem solving skills.

Part of the team building challenge is to actually get on and work out how to solve the problem given to you. In the early stages, it helps to encourage all members of your team to come up with ideas on how to solve the task given to you. If you pay attention and listen to what they say, you will be able to work out what strengths each member of the team has.

Why Bother With Team Building Activities?

Life is full of challenges, and one the biggest challenges is to work with others in society. To get the best from your working life, you will need to work out how to work in a team. So, when those team building activities are thrown at you, rise to the challenge and show them what you’ve got.

How to Run Successful Team Building Activities and Games

Define the Purpose of the Team Building Activities

The team building challenge should have a clearly defined goal to strive for. To be worth doing, the goal should be challenging but achievable. If the goal seems too impossible, it stops being challenging and becomes demoralising.

Team building activities should be relevant to the team.

Motivation

There needs to be some motivation for undertaking the challenge. Give the teams a reward, prize, the thrill of doing it (fun stuff and adventure), or the satisfaction from achievement and winning.

Fun

Fun should be a primary factor in all team building activities for teens and adults. These free fun team building ideas are proven to develop teamwork. Some team building courses focus on taking people out of their comfort zone to see how they perform under stress. They end up alienating people who then disengage from the team building process.

A lot of people need an incentive or motivation to participate in a team building game. Some are shy, or just not outdoors people. Not everyone enjoys physical exercise, especially if it exposes your weaknesses.

Work to Your Strengths

These team building activities for teens will help teens to identify their strengths and also how they can improve. If there are problems in the team, then the team should be mentored to demonstrate how things could be done. Rather than point out mistakes and weaknesses, advice and guidance should be given. This should be done positively, and help to show how things should be done and how it is achievable by working as a team.

Outdoor Team Building Activities Ideas

Team Building Ice Breakers

The aim of ice breakers is to enable team members to get to know each other better. Sometimes you may go away on team building days or team building weekends where you have never met anyone in your team before. This can be a bit daunting. Fear not, there is a simple way to do it.

As you talk, you may pick up on skills that they have that will help in your team building activities. Can they tie knots? Are they good at swimming? Can they do first aid? Are they fit? Are they clever?

Read the full list of Ice Breaker Games.

Team Building Activities Ideas

• Human pyramids – How high can you build a human pyramid or tower?
• Egg Toss – How far can you throw a raw egg to a partner who successfully catches it?
• Obstacle courses – Create an assault course or obstacle course and get the teams to race over it. Get them to carry a bucket of water adds to the fun.
• Toxic Area Canister Retrieval – This is one of the most popular team building activities. With equipment provided, rescue a container from a taped off area. Rather than moving toxic waste, I prefer to fill the container with a reward such as sweets, or even dinner that has to be cooked over an open fire.
• Bucket Swimming relay – Get the team to do a swimming relay collecting things from the other end of the pool wearing a bucket on their head, which is actually a real challenge to swim with as it fills up and slows you down.
• Blanket Volleyball – Set up a volleyball court using blankets or large tarps for the net. The teams on either side cannot tell where the ball is coming from, so have to work together to win.
• Crate Stacking – You need proper climbing gear for this one. Rig a safety line and pulley high above the place where you will be stacking your crates. The stacker has to stack the crates into a tower as tall as they can, whilst balancing on the top.
• Bucket on a rope water obstacle course – Get a very long piece of rope or string and weave it across a series of obstacles. Up trees, through bushes, across mud, over walls. Then, feed one end of the string through the handle of a bucket that is full of water. The team then has to get the bucket of water to the other end of the piece of string without spilling any water.
• Firemans relays – Each team has to form a relay chain to get all of the water from one big barrel across an obstacle course and into another barrel at the other end. The race is timed of course.
• Target Practice – Use any projectile to hit a target. Water, paint or flour bombs are the best. The team has to build their contraption for launching their ammo. See which team can fire it the furthest, or get closest to a target.
• Chariot racing – The team builds a chariot and then races across a course.
• Sedan Chair Racing – Sedan chair racing is the same principle as the chariot race, but the team have to carry the sedan chair off the ground with their rider sitting on it.
• Orienteering – The team has to work together to navigate a course finding markers along the way. They have to keep together. The fastest team wins.
• Go Karting – The team can make go karts, or just go somewhere and race proper go karts. They work as a team to see who is fastest.  For a bit more of a rush, try grass karting.
• Geocaching – Using a GPS, you can find hidden caches all over the world using the geocaching.com website. A hitech treasure hunt.
• Scavenger Hunts and Treasure Hunts – Give your teams a list of scavenger hunt items or tasks they have to complete in the time given. To make your teens think, make the description of the items cryptic. A picture of Thomas Jefferson ($5 bill), or a portrait of the Queen (a stamp or money). If completing tasks such as visiting places, they can take a picture to prove they were there.
• Sailing – One way to get the team to work together is to send them on a sailing day. The skipper will teach them how to work as a crew, and they will not only learn how to work together, but also learn a new skill.
• Drops – Drops are where you drop off the team of teenagers somewhere. They then have to work out how to get to a given location in a time limit.  There are plenty of other games you can play using OS Maps.
  You can make it easier by getting them to travel to a tall building that they can see from the start point. Or you could make it harder by blindfolding them when taking them to the start, so that they don’t know where they are.
• Soap Box Cart Gravity Racing – Use a wooden soap box crate, stick some pram wheels on and race them down hills.
• Now Get Out Of That Challenges – Now Get Out of That was a UK TV programme where teams had to navigate to a given location. There they would be given a puzzle or challenge to solve. Successful completion would give the teams the clue to the next location. The outdoor team building activities included river crossings and working out how to boil some water using only a sheet of paper and a candle.
• Swamp Crossing – Create a swamp, and then the teams have to cross it without touching the ground. They can be provided with a variety of useful and unhelpful equipment. Planks and bricks are commonly used. You can also get the teams to make a bridge.
• The Great Egg Race – Invention to solve a problem such as build a device to carry an egg the furthest over a course, or a rocket/parachute that can bring an egg back safely to earth.
• Monopoly Runs – Monopoly Runs are a race around a virtual Monopoly board. This is easy if you are in London. The team has to visit all of the places named on the Monopoly board as quickly as possible. If you aren’t in London, you can create your own board with place names of where you are.
• Balance on a brick – How many people can balance on a brick at once? You can use any surface to hand, such as a milk crate. Or how many can you get in a phone box or in a car.
• Blindfold tent pitching – This is straightforward, but is prone to lots of cheating and peeking.
• Blindfold instructions – This trust building game involves a member of the team being blindfolded and guided by voice around an obstacle course. If more than one team goes at once, this adds lots of confusion as the people who are blindfolded are not sure if the instructions are for them or not.
• Construction – Get the team to build something. Anything.
• Lego structure copy – Make a Lego structure out of different coloured bricks and place it in the next room. Each team is given a set of bricks to build an exact copy of the Lego structure.
• Follow the plans – Give each team a set of plans that tell them how to do or build something. What you don’t tell them is that you have not given them a full set of instructions. Take one page from each set of instructions and put it into the instruction for another team.
• Be dramatic – If you live in NYC or San Francisco, there are some great theatre improvisation sessions that you can go to. The team building sessions get everyone working together, having fun, and even performing some comedy.
• Human Marble Run – Give each member of the team a length of gutter or drainpipe. The team has to convey a tennis ball or golf ball from one place to another by rolling the ball from one piece of gutter to the next.
• Learn a new sport – Sharing the learning experience is a great way to get a team to bond.
• Chocolate making  or cooking– Make a giant bar of chocolate
• The Search Party – Practice carrying out a search party. You could even get the real emergency services involved for the practice and education.
• Raft Building – Give them lots of poles, ropes and large barrels to lash together to form a raft. Then have a race or get them to cross a river.
• Egg Tower Construction – Yes it’s the “build a tower using drinking straws and tape to support an egg.” No need to say any more.
• The levitating Stick or Helium Stick – This team building activity involves the team getting into two rows facing each other. Everyone holds out their index finger and you place a lightweight cane or stick so that it rests on everyone’s fingers. The team then have to lower the stick to the ground whilst keeping their fingers in contact with the stick. What happens is that someone will usually apply more pressure on the stick and it will go up a bit. Someone else realises that their finger is not longer touching the stick so they raise their finger. The stick then ends up magically levitating up into the air as everyone lifts their fingers.
  It takes coordination to get the stick to the ground.
• Bridge Building and other river crossings – Create a virtual river using two long pieces of rope. Give the teams equipment to make a bridge. If you are feeling adventurous, do it over a real stream or river.
• The Wall – Find an assault course that has a ten foot wall in it. The team has to get everyone over the wall.
• Water Barrel Swap – Tie a pulley to a tree branch and pass a rope through it. Tie a barrel to each end of the rope. Fill one barrel with water. Then fence off an area around the barrels. The challenge is to swap positions of the barrels without anyone touching the floor inside the fenced off area, or touch the barrels.
• Human Knot – Everyone crowds together and randomly holds someone else’s hands. They then have to unravel themselves without letting go.
• Circle Lap Sit – Get everyone into a circle. Everyone then turns to face the person to their left. They all then sit on the lap of the person behind. If done at the same time, everyone ends up sitting on a lap self supporting. If not, people fall on the floor.
• Parachute Games – Take one large parachute and play team building games with it.  A brilliant bit of kit for teamwork is the Artoflifer Hole Tarp.  This is a tarp with colored holes of different sizes that the team has to hold to direct different sized balls down the correct holes.  Really challenging but excellent for team building outdoors and indoors.
• Location Hunt from Photo – Give the teams a set of photos of places in the area. They then have to go to those places and prove they were there.
• Dragon Boat Racing – Get the team working together to paddle a dragon boat in a race. Rowing is another idea.
• Canoe catamaran trust – Using two canoes, balance beams between them and the team leader sits on the beam. Teams then canoe a course around the lake
• Canal Lock Navigation – Guide a canal boat through a lock
• Technology Transmissions – Get the teams to use technology to solve a puzzle or challenge.
• Group plank skiing – You need two planks with loops of rope attached to them. The team stands with a foot on each plank holding the rope. They then have to walk the plank skis to the end of the room or field.
• White water Rafting – Send your teens white water rafting. They need to listen to the instructor and work together to paddle in the right direction.
• Paintball – Paintball can be a great way to get teams to work together. They will need to formulate plans, adapt them during the game, and work together to win.
• Water Fights – Using water fights as a team building activity gives you plenty of scope to adapt to your environment. You can use rivers, lakes, boats, or just two large barrels of water at each end of a field for them to refill from.
• Wide Games – Games played over a wide area, usually at night. The most popular is capture the flag.
• Balance Board – Balance a ball on a large sheet of hardboard. As a team carry it around a course without the ball falling off. A bit like egg and spoon races.

This outdoor team building activities list is an ever growing free resource, so bookmark this page for when you need ideas for more team building.

Read my Team Building Activities page for a complete guide to team building for all ages, business, education and military.

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What is Go Ape?

Go Ape is the award winning tree top forest adventure where you can swing in the treetops and speed down thrilling zip wires.  Established in 2002, Go Ape is still growing UK-wide and you can also Go Ape in the US.

Go Ape has over 30 locations in the UK where they have tree-top high wires, tricky crossings (using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire) and wind-in-your-face zip wires.  Apart from Go Ape London, all of the locations are in natural settings of lush, green forest with a healthy dollop of breathtaking scenery.

The Go Ape experience gets the adrenaline pumping, gets people out of their comfort zones and above all it’s just great fun.

In this guide you can find out what Go Ape is like, use the Go Ape course comparison to see which are the best Go Ape locations, how to book, buy Go Ape gift vouchers and subscribe for Go Ape offers and deals.

How Long Does Go Ape Last?

Go Ape lasts for up to three hours of tree top adventure, depending on how quick you are at completing the crossings.

Go Ape Opening Times

Go Ape is open daily from April to October (and weekends in February and November!).  Every year Go Ape opens for the February half term week, then on every weekend until April. From April, Go Ape is open every day until the end of October.

Go Ape opens at 930am, and the last session is at 430pm.

You can get early bird sessions from 8am, with the last Go Ape session at 4pm. During the summer, there are more sessions available due to the longer daylight hours.

It is best to book Go Ape online before you go. You can just turn up and book on the day if there are spaces available.  It’s best to check the Go Ape website for details (or call the booking line on 0845 643 9215, please note there will be a £1.50 booking fee.)

How much does Go Ape cost?

Go Ape prices
Gorillas (18yrs+) – From £30.00 *
Baboons (10-17yrs) – From £20.00 *

Restrictions

Minimum age 10 years, minimum height 1.4m (4ft 7in) and maximum weight of 20.5 stone. Under 18yr olds must be supervised by a participating adult. One participating adult can supervise EITHER two under 18 year olds (where one or both children are 10-15 years old) OR up to five 16-17 year olds.

Go Ape Vouchers

If you are ever having problems finding a gift for someone, get them a Go Ape gift voucher and you will definitely give them a gift they will remember. It is easy to do. Select how much the voucher is for, pay online, then email or print out your gift voucher.

Buy Go Ape gift vouchers directly from Go Ape.

Current Go Ape Discounts and Offers

You can currently save 15%on a Go Ape Tree Top Adventure/Forest Segway adventure by showing your course completion certificate when booking again.

How will I know what to do at Go Ape?

When you turn up at Go Ape, you are provided with a climbing harness, and helped with fitting it. When everyone is ready for your session, your instructor shows you exactly how the safety system works. You get to try it for yourself at ground level. The instructor then takes you to the practice area, where a low level crossing and zip wire is demonstrated. Everyone gets to have a go and the instructor makes sure that you know how to attach yourself to the safety system and stay attached. After that, you head off on your own. Instructors walk around the entire course at ground level, so if you ever get stuck, all you have to do is shout for help and someone will be there within a minute.

Each of the Go Ape locations is split into 5 or 6 separate zones. Up in the canopy, there is an assortment of spectacular rope bridges and Tarzan swings. An exhilarating zip wire brings you back down to the forest floor at the end of every section, usually ending up with the bark chips from the landing zone going down your pants!

Go Ape is for anyone who likes to live life adventurously – you don’t have to be a seasoned explorer to have a Go Ape experience! There’s no greater thrill than the great outdoors, so whether your tribe is looking for stag do ideas, birthday party, corporate team building event or simply a day out with the kids, Go Ape make their courses as fun and as accessible as possible. Every Go Ape location has a cafe or restaurant so that you can get food and drink before or after your treetop experience. It is also useful for those who are just going to watch.

Which is the Best Go Ape Location?

To make things easy for you, here is my Go Ape course comparison that lists all of the Go Ape locations on one page so you can see which is the best. You can see stats like height, distance and number of zip wires.

How high is Go Ape?

The highest Go Ape course is at Glentrees and is 48 metres above ground at its highest point. Typically, Go Ape courses are about 12 metres high, but the highest Go Ape platform is 18m above ground at Go Ape in Grizedale Forest. This is my favourite place to Go Ape.

So, with over 29 Go Ape locations to choose from in the UK alone, which one is the best? It all depends on whether you want height, long zip wires, or challenging obstacles.

The best Go Ape location depends on what you are looking for:

• Best Go Ape location for scenery – Grizedale;
• Longest Go Ape zip line in the UK – Aberfoyle 420m;
• Highest Go Ape rope crossing – Glentrees 48m;
• Biggest Go Ape rope swing – Swinley Forest has a double rope swing;
• Longest Go Ape course – Cannock Forest 1465m.

The difficulty of all the Go Ape courses is similar, as they are designed for you to be able to get across, albeit with some difficulty. But each Go Ape location has its own unique character.

Below is a list of all of the Go Ape courses in the UK, with key details of features that will help you to decide which is the best Go Ape location.

1. David Marshall Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, nr Aberfoyle, Stirling

   Longest Zip Line. Go Ape Aberfoyle opened on the 26^thMay 2007 and is situated in southeast Perthshire on the upper reaches of the River Forth. It is a key centre in both The Trossachs and the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and as such has become a tourism centre. Go Ape in Aberfoyle has two of Britain’s longest zip wires, each stretching over 400m long, flying customers 150 feet above the ground and over a 90 foot waterfall!

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 426 metres
   Longest Crossing – 11.5 metres
   Total Length – 1,171 metres
   Number of Crossings – 35
   Highest Point – 14 metres

2. Alice Holt Woodland Park, Surrey

   Go Ape is set within the ancient forest of Alice Holt, famous for its oak trees which once supplied timber for navy ships. Recently Alice Holt oak has been used to build a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London. Whether you have come to walk, cycle, picnic, or see the wildlife, there is something at Alice Holt for everyone who loves the countryside.

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 126 metres
   Longest Crossing – 20 metres
   Total Length – 664 metres
   Number of Crossings – 41
   Highest Point – 14 metres

3. Go Ape London in Battersea Park

   If you want to try Go Ape London, there is a unique high wire tree top adventure in Battersea Park in the centre of London. This is the first Go Ape location in the centre of any UK city. There is another Go Ape course in London but further away from the city centre, located at Cockfosters.

   The highest obstacle crossings are double the height of most Go Ape courses, and many are twice as long as usual, making them extra wobbly and challenging.  It also has zip wire bark chipping landing zones up in the air on platforms instead of the bark chipping pile on the ground.

   Number of sections – 3
   Longest Zip Wire – 50 metres
   Longest Crossing – 11.5 metres
   Total Length – 730 metres
   Number of Crossings – 43
   Highest Point – 12 metres

4. Bedgebury Forest, Kent

   Bedgebury is located in Kent and is incredibly popular with people of all ages. Walkers, runners and cyclists all enjoy this tranquil forest and kids of all abilities can spend time having fun in the adventure play area. Bedgebury’s National Pinetum allows for scenic views throughout the whole year.

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 170 metres
   Longest Crossing – 20 metres
   Total Length – 812 metres
   Number of Crossings – 36
   Highest Point – 13 metres

5. Black Park

   Set in 530 acres of beautiful woodland with a centre-piece lake. Black Park Country Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, Buckinghamshire,
   SL3 6DS

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 140 metres
   Longest Crossing – 24 metres
   Total Length – 787 metres
   Number of Crossings – 37
   Highest Point – 10 metres

6. Swinley Forest, Bracknell, Berkshire

   Biggest Rope Swing. This Go Ape location has the first Double Tarzan Swing on any of the Go Ape courses. Set in Swinley Forest, Bracknell, a great place to let off steam in the great outdoors. Take in a variety of plants and animals and explore a fabulous science discovery centre and free adventure play area. Popular for mountain biking and a hit with corporate teams.

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 160 metres
   Longest Crossing – 12 metres
   Total Length – 704 metres
   Number of Crossings – 35
   Highest Point – 13 metres

7. Poole’s Cavern, Buxton, Derbyshire

   One of the highest Go Ape locations above sea level, close to a 2 million year old natural limestone cave. Buxton is a spa town at the heart of the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire. It has been a popular holiday resort for centuries and blessed with stunning scenery.

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 159 metres
   Longest Crossing – 19 metres
   Total Length – 733 metres
   Number of Crossings – 32
   Highest Point – 11.4 metres

8. Cannock Forest, Staffordshire

   Longest Go Ape Course. With the longest Go Ape location and only a short drive from Birmingham, Cannock Forest sits on Cannock Chase, the smallest area of outstanding natural beauty on mainland Britain.

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 260 metres
   Longest Crossing – 16 metres
   Total Length – 1,465 metres
   Number of Crossings – 38
   Highest Point – 14 metres

9. Coed-Y-Brenin

   This is a lovely tree top adventure based in the heart of Coed-y-Brenin Forest, North Wales. Coed-Y-Brenin, Dolgellau, Gwyrew, Wales, LL40 2HZ

   Number of sections – 5
   Longest Zip Wire – 140 metres
   Longest Crossing – 20 metres
   Total Length – 679 metres
   Number of Crossings – 31
   Highest Point – 13 metres

10. Crathes Castle

    Set in the grounds of the historic Crathes Castle, this Go Ape course has skateboard zip wires.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 125 metres
    Longest Crossing – 92 metres
    Total Length – 592 metres
    Number of Crossings – 28
    Highest Point – 8.6 metres

11. Crawley, Tilgate Park, Sussex

    This was NEW for 2013. The Go Ape adventure in Sussex can be enjoyed by all. Not only can the over 10’s enjoy the classic Tree Top Adventure, but anyone over 1 metre can get off the ground and up in the trees with Tree Top Junior.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 142m
    Longest Crossing – 14.3m
    Total Length – 737m
    Number of Crossings – 34
    Highest Point – Unknown

12. Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire

    The Go Ape at Dalby Forest has hilltop-to-hilltop zip wires and a plunging valley below. Dalby Forest is situated on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park. The southern part of the forest is divided by a number of valleys creating a “Rigg and Dale” landscape whilst to the north the forest sits on the upland plateau. Enjoy great walks around Staindale Lake and Haygate with views over the valley. A network of forest roads including the 9-mile Dalby Forest Drive provides access to this outstanding landscape.

    Number of sections – 6
    Longest Zip Wire – 250 metres
    Longest Crossing – 15 metres
    Total Length – 888 metres
    Number of Crossings – 37
    Highest Point – 35 metres (over Zip 4)

13. Delamere Forest, Cheshire

    The course in Delamere has the second longest zip wire of any Go Ape site, stretching 200m. The facility is located adjacent to the Linmere Bridge with views of Blakemere Lake.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 212 metres
    Longest Crossing – 14 metres
    Total Length – 760 metres
    Number of Crossings – 42
    Highest Point – 12 metres

14. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

    Set in one of the most distinctive forest settings in Britain with a seductive charm all of its own, this new Go Ape adventure course is one of the most exciting of the seven sites around the UK. The circuit boasts crisscrossing zip wires in a forest that covers some 35 square miles with picturesque views of the lakes.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 180 metres
    Longest Crossing – 18 metres
    Total Length – 806 metres
    Number of Crossings – 39
    Highest Point – 15 metres

15. Glentrees Forest, Peebles

    Longest and Highest Rope Crossing. Built on the hillside within the beautiful Glentress Forest, the Peebles adventure makes good use of the valley for some jaw dropping exposure, and features the highest Go Ape! zip wire over the reservoirs in the valley.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 325 metres
    Longest Crossing – 13.5m
    Total Length – 933m
    Number of Crossings – 36
    Highest Point – 48m

16. Grizedale Forest, Cumbria

    Highest Go Ape Platform. Grizedale has the highest Go Ape platform at 18 metres. Newest obstacles are the Parrot Ladder and the Victoria Falls Crossing. Grizedale is a stunning location particularly great for families – take in the wash of bluebells in June! You can even go on a 200m zip wire that goes across the road leading up to Go Ape, waving at the cars driving to Grizedale Forest.

    New in 2014, Go Ape has introduced Zip Trekking. If you love Go Ape zip wires then this is for you. A set of 7 tandem zip wires where you can race a friend through the fir trees for 3km!

    Number of sections – 6
    Longest Zip Wire – 275 metres
    Longest Crossing – 22.5 metres
    Total Length – 908 metres
    Number of Crossings – 39
    Highest Point – 19 metres

17. Haldon Forest Park, Devon

    Go Ape’s first foray in the South West! Just 15 minutes from Exeter, Go Ape at Haldon and experience two incredible 230m zip slides flying you from hilltop to hilltop!

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 230 metres
    Longest Crossing – 16 metres
    Total Length – 775 metres
    Number of Crossings – 39
    Highest Point – 14 metres

18. Leeds Castle, Kent

    Take to the trees and speed down zip slides high above the Kentish hilltops. Featuring zip slides 250 metres in length, adrenalin is guaranteed! Take in the stunning views of Leeds Castle and its grounds – representing over 900 years of history, beauty and change. For a great day out in Kent, make a day of it by Going Ape and exploring the castle.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 250 metres
    Longest Crossing – 25 metres
    Total Length – 775 metres
    Number of Crossings – 38
    Highest Point – 12 metres

19. Margam Country Park, South Wales

    In the springtime we’ll be opening our very first Welsh course, located in Margam Country Park (near Port Talbot), which boasts splendid landscapes and the largest deer herd in Wales.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 167 metres
    Longest Crossing – 18.5 metres
    Total Length – 744 metres
    Number of Crossings – 39
    Highest Point – 13 metres

20. Matfen Hall Hotel

    Matfen has 300 acres of historic parkland to enjoy a great day out near Newcastle.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 160 metres
    Longest Crossing – 16 metres
    Total Length – 755 metres
    Number of Crossings – 38
    Highest Point – 11 metres

21. Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset, Hampshire

    A challenging trail with some 35 hanging bridges, scramble nets and zip wires at heights of up to 30 feet off the forest floor. Enjoy the meadows, small woodlands and Crane Lake. An adventure play area is perfect for younger children and a special castle and sand area ideal for toddlers. Witness the picturesque Moors Lake or take a ride on the narrow-gauge steam railway – the perfect end to a Go Ape day out.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 166 metres
    Longest Crossing – 25 metres
    Total Length – 1,000 metres
    Number of Crossings – 39
    Highest Point – 11 metres

22. Rivington, Lancashire

    With its rugged hills, picturesque reservoirs and woodland Rivington is hailed as Chorley’s mini Lake District… the perfect location for enjoying a 200 metre long Zip Wire over the Edge of the Rivington Reservoir.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 198 metres
    Longest Crossing – 17.5 metres
    Total Length – 924 metres
    Number of Crossings – 35
    Highest Point – 10 metres

23. Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire

    Set within Sherwood Pines Forest Park, changes for 2006 include an expanded course of seven sites. New additions include Stepping Stones, a new Balance Beam and a great new cabin. Sherwood is famed as the only Go Ape location in the UK with treetop-to-treetop zip wires! Set deep in the heart of the Nottinghamshire countryside, Sherwood Forest boasts beautiful woodland and is probably the most famous forest in the world. The forest is a great place to walk, cycle, or horse ride (Keep your eyes open for the merry men!)

    Number of sections – 6
    Longest Zip Wire – 140 metres
    Longest Crossing – 64 metres
    Total Length – 909 metres
    Number of Crossings – 41
    Highest Point – 8 metres

24. Southampton, Itchen Valley

    Tucked away in 440 acres of beautiful woodland and meadows close to the River Itchen

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 193 metres
    Longest Crossing – 21 metres
    Total Length – 927 metres
    Number of Crossings – 40
    Highest Point – 14 metres

25. Thetford Forest, Suffolk

    Newest obstacles are the Tank Trap crossing and Turtle Crossing, the first of their kind to be developed on any Go Ape course. Two sites have been merged to form a new supersite now compromising of 16 obstacles. All zip wires have been extended by 50%.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 140 metres
    Longest Crossing – 26 metres
    Total Length – 739 metres
    Number of Crossings – 36
    Highest Point – 12 metres

26. Trent Park, Near Cockfosters in London

    With one of the higher Go Ape courses at 16 metres above the ground, at last, you can take to the trees in London. If you want to know where there is a Go Ape in London, go to Trent Park.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 120m
    Longest Crossing – 32m
    Total Length – 662.7m
    Number of Crossings – 40
    Highest Point – 16m

27. Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire

    Set high up on the crest of the Chiltern Hills; enjoy the spectacular views and wild landscape across Aylesbury Vale from high up in the trees. Jon & Amy run a great café in the woods; pop in and indulge in one of their homemade cakes.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 140 metres
    Longest Crossing – 20 metres
    Total Length – 685 metres
    Number of Crossings – 40
    Highest Point – 11.5 metres

28. Whinlatter Forest Park, Cumbria

    Set in the North of the picturesque Lake District; the home of outdoor adventure. Whinlatter is the highest course above sea level, (rising to 790 metres), making it a real high altitude experience. Soak up the spectacular views across the Lake District and into Scotland.

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 89 metres
    Longest Crossing – 24 metres
    Total Length – 601 metres
    Number of Crossings – 39
    Highest Point – 14 metres

29. Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire

    In March 2009 we’re opening a brand new course at Woburn Safari Park… we can’t wait! So why not join us, and combine the excitement and thrill of Go Ape with the fun of Britain’s largest drive through and Foot Safari…

    Number of sections – 6
    Longest Zip Wire – 156 metres
    Longest Crossing – 15.5 metres
    Total Length – 804 metres
    Number of Crossings – 37
    Highest Point – 8 metres

30. Wyre Forest, Worcestershire

    Wyre Forest, home to some of the most ecologically significant woodlands in England. So why not Go Ape in one of Britain’s largest remaining ancient woodlands…

    Number of sections – 5
    Longest Zip Wire – 160 metres
    Longest Crossing – 17 metres
    Total Length – 567 metres
    Number of Crossings – 40
    Highest Point – 14 metres

Groups

Get in touch with our Go Ape Events Team to get your tribe in the trees – from Aberdeen to Wyre, 10 to 280 people, for adults and children – We can tailor a day that you and your gang will never forget.

Team Building Groups and Events at Go Ape!

Go Ape Tree Top Junior

Under 10s were complaining about not being able to Go Ape, so there is now a growing tribe of Junior Go Ape treetop experiences being built across the country. A fun filled hour of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles for all to enjoy. You’ll take on 20 crossings over 3 trails and finish with one awesome zip wire. Go Ape Junior is for all abilities so explorers can uncover the forest canopy from 4 years (over 1m) to 104.

Forest Segway With Go Ape!

If you don’t fancy swinging through the trees, you can test your balancing skills by riding on the two wheeled Segways. The forest segway experience is at 10 Go Ape locations in the UK. Get off-road and explore the forest on all-terrain segways. It’s a totally unique way to tackle the trails in the forest.

Segway at Go Ape.

Go Ape Zip Trekking

If you love the zip wires but can’t be bothered with all the obstacles to get to them, then you really need to visit the Go Ape Zip Trekking experience in Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.

Find Out More About Go Ape

For the ideal gift, you can get Go Ape vouchers. Occasionally, Go Ape do have discounts and offers. If you have been to one of the best Go Ape locations in the UK, your certificate you get at the end gives a 15% voucher off your next Go Ape adventure.  This applies to any Go Ape location.

So whatever your confidence and ability, if you love the outdoors and fancy taking on zip wires, Tarzan swings, rope ladders, high wire crossings and more, grab your tribe and head to the best Go Ape location near you for up to three hours of tree top fun and adventure. No two Go Ape experiences are the same.

Visit GoApe.co.uk to start your adventure.

The post The Best Go Ape Locations appeared first on Active Outdoors.

In its simplest form, to make a rope swing, you get a piece of rope and tie it to the branch of a tree. To get the best from it though, here are a few tips on making the best rope swings.

Is your rope swing strong enough?

Choosing the right place to tie your rope swing to

You don’t want the rope swing breaking on you. It seriously hurts when you land on your backside. You create quite a few expletives; and that’s if you’re not in too much pain to get up.

Make sure that the branch you are going to tie your rope swing to is strong enough. A good branch should be thick enough, have signs of green leaves growing on it, and no sign of dead bits or fungus. You will want a branch that is at least 30cm in diameter. That way, there is a good chance of it holding the heavier grown ups who will no doubt intrude on your fun.

You will also have to consider the location of the branch.  Is it high enough to get a good swing?  Will you be able to get the rope over the branch without it getting tangled up in other branches?  Is the path that the rope swing takes clear of obstructions?

You don’t have to tie your rope swing to a tree branch. You could tie it to the metal supports under a footbridge or bridge over a river. Or if you have the right climbing gear, you can anchor it into the rock of a big natural arch. Only do this if you are an experienced climber and know how to anchor ropes.
If you can find a branch over a river, then you can swing out and jump into the water. Make sure the water is deep enough to land in though. Oh yeah, and make sure you can swim.

The Best Rope for a Rope Swing

There are several different ropes that you can use for a tire swing. The best rope for a rope swing will need to:

• Be Durable – It has to last in all weathers without fraying or rotting
• It has to be thick enough to hold onto – thin ropes are harder to hold on tight to when swinging, so you need at least 3/4 inch (20mm) width rope.  If you are using a proper swing seat that is attached by both ends, you can get away with using rope that is thicker than 14mm.  However, this is a guide from my personal experience.
• Be Strong – the rope you choose for your tire swing has to support the weight of at least one adult.  Always allow for extra weight because you will get multiple adults trying to swing on it at once.  When buying rope, check the breaking strain.  Always allow 2 or 3 times the maximum expected load.  It needs to hold at least 300kg.
• It has to hold a knot – Some polypropylene ropes do not grip and the knots can slip

Any decision you make for your rope swing design is taken at your own risk.

Types of Rope

Manila Natural Rope that is 20mm in diameter can be bought by the metre from Amazon or hardware stores for less than £2 per metre. Natural or hemp ropes are the best ropes for rope swings. It is durable and doesn’t deteriorate in UV light.
Climbing ropes are designed to take the weight of someone, and may be a good option. They do cost money though, and don’t last well rubbing back and forth on a tree branch.

Make sure that the rope you use for your rope swing is long enough to go over the tree branch, be tied up, and have enough length for you to reach it. I have seen loads of rope swings where the bottom of the rope is nowhere near the ground and you have to climb on something or jump to reach it. The rope becomes shorter if you are going to tie a stick to the bottom as a seat.

Another good thing to use as a rope swing is a 20m heavy duty towing belt, or the thick straps used on lorries for holding goods down. These are flat, but designed to be very strong pulling 7 tonnes, and withstand wear and tear.

Tying your rope swing to a tree branch

Anyone good with knots? One way to tie your rope swing to a tree branch is to tie a loop in the end of the rope, pass the rope over the branch and back through the loop in the rope. When you pull the rope, it tightens itself onto the branch. This is also a good method if you cannot climb the tree to attach your rope swing. To make it easier to get the rope over the branch, you can use a weight attached to a long piece of string and throw it over, keeping hold of the end of the string. Then tie the other end of the string to the rope and pull it over the branch. Put the end of the rope through the loop and tighten. You are good to go.

Using a bank for your launch point

Rather than having to be pushed on your rope swing, or have to run to get a good first swing, you can use a bank to get the height. If you can find a tree where the branch is over a lower point in the ground and there is a bank or raised bit of ground where you can start your swing from, then this gives you a nice big swing.

Check that the end of the rope reaches the bank so that you can get on, whilst also making sure it will not hit the ground when in motion. If you do this right, this means that you can use a longer piece of rope and get a bigger swing. The longer the rope, the further you swing and more exhilarating it is. Just watch the YouTube video of the world’s best rope swing ever to get the idea. They are starting off from the top of a cliff and swinging down under a rock arch.

How to make it easy to hold onto the rope swing when swinging

The simplest way is to use a foot loop. Tie a non-slip loop knot at the bottom of the rope. You put your foot in the loop, hold on further up and swing. You can also put a stick through the loop and sit on it. This can be tricky for some people, as you have to balance on the stick. You can also tie a tyre to the rope and make a tyre swing.

If you want to be really different, you can cut the tyre and make a tyre horse rope swing.

You can buy rope and seats for rope swings from Amazon.

Rope swings, rope and seats from Amazon.com

Rope swing rope, seats and ladders from Amazon.co.uk

Make Your Own Zip Line Aerial Runway

Amazon now has some great zip line ropes and pulleys so that your can make your own zip line. The 100′ Night Riderz Series Zipline Kit includes 100 feet of cable, and includes everything you need to get the zipline up and running. It even has 50 multicolored LED lights on the seat, rope and trolley so you can have fun using it in the dark!

If you want to try some big rope swings and ziplines, have a look at what Go Ape ropes courses offer.

The post How to Make the Best Rope Swing in the World appeared first on Active Outdoors.

The Most Popular Outdoor Recreational Activities

Every year the Outdoor Foundation in the US and Sport England in the UK publish a list of the most popular outdoor activities.
According to the Outdoor Foundation, about half the U.S. population participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2018, including hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing among many more outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the report highlights an alarming trend that just under half the U.S. population does not participate in outdoor recreation at all.

The most popular outdoor activities are:

1. Running, jogging and trail running;
2. Hiking and walking for fitness;
3. Camping and RV Camping;
4. Road biking, mountain biking and BMX;
5. Freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing;
6. Golf;
7. Wildlife watching;
8. Netball and basketball;
9. Tennis and Table Tennis;
10. Soccer;

Most participants preferred to find adventure less than one mile from their homes.

The top 10 list remains fairly consistent year on year.  There are however a few variations as new sports and activities develop and become popular for a while. Follow the blog to find out new trends and more great ways to try out new activities and get active outdoors.

Outdoor Activities Environment Picker

Use the images below to jump to the section in the outdoor activities list with the environment for you.

Outdoor Recreational Activities and Hobbies for Adults

Outdoor recreational activities are ways in which you can spend your leisure time outdoors being physically active, creative, relaxing, having fun or being social.  Explore the huge range of exciting outdoor activities and some of the best adventure sports in the list below.

The most popular ideas for outdoor summer activities include:

• outdoor activities to do on the weekend with friends,
• outdoor activities for couples,
• bucket list of summer activities for boyfriend and girlfriend.

What are the Different Types of Outdoor Activities?

To help you choose which outdoor recreational activities and hobbies suit your needs right now, I have rated them under five categories:

• Relaxing outdoor activities to just unwind and take things easy or to improve your sense of well being.
• Fun outdoor activities that are a perfect for shared experiences where it’s all about fun and friends.
• Outdoor physical challenges that provide adventure and challenge for an adrenaline buzz or for personal development.
• Extreme outdoor activities for thrill seekers that give a serious adrenaline rush and require great skill
• Outdoor sports activities that need a few friends to join in and are competitive

Land Activities

This vast list of outdoor land activities provides inspiration for fitness, downhill fun, relaxing creative hobbies, personal challenges, new skills to learn and outdoor recreational activities that will leave you with a huge smile.

•  4×4 driving experience
•  Activity Holidays for adults and families
•  Adventure Races
•  Air rifle and air pistol shooting
•  Airsoft
•  American Football
•  Animal Parks, Wildlife Parks and Zoos
•  Archery
•  Assault courses and Obstacle course races
•  Athletics
•  Backyard Sleepovers
•  Badminton
•  Baseball and Softball
•  Basketball
•  Baton Twirling
•  Battle Reenactments
•  Beach Activities
•  Beachcombing
•  Bicycle Polo
•  Bird watching holidays
•  BMX biking
•  Boccia
•  Bootcamps for fitness
•  Bouldering
•  Bowls
•  Brushboarding
•  Bubble Football
•  Bushcraft and survival courses
•  Camel trekking holidays
•  Camogie
•  Camping
•  Canyoning and Canyoneering
•  Capoeira
•  Carnivals
•  Carriage driving
•  Cave biking underground
•  Caving and potholing
•  Cheerleading
•  Chinese Martial Arts
•  Circus Skills
•  Clay Pigeon Shooting
•  Climbing courses and climbing holidays
•  Concerts, Festivals and Gigs
•  Conkers
•  Cookout
•  Crazy Golf and Mini Golf, Pitch and Putt
•  Cricket
•  Croquet
•  Cycling fitness training
•  Dance, Street Dance
•  Den Building and Bivouacs
•  Digger and JCB driving
•  Dodgeball
•  Dog Scootering
•  Drag Racing
•  Driving Experience Days
•  Duathlon
•  Eclipse Sphering and Eclipse Zorbing
•  Equestrian (horse Riding, eventing, racing, dressage, cross country)
•  Exercise and fitness
•  Exploring holidays
•  Fencing
•  Fives (rugby)
•  Floorball
•  Folk Dancing
•  Footbags
•  Football and Soccer
•  Free Running and Parkour
•  Fruit Picking
•  Fun fairs
•  Futsal
•  Gaelic Football
•  Gap Year Travelling
•  Gardening
•  Geocaching
•  Gladiator Training
•  Goalball
•  Go Ape forest high wire adventures ropes courses
•  Go Karting
•  Golf Holidays
•  Grass skiing
•  Grass sledging
•  Grass karting
•  Greyhound Racing
•  Grow Your Own Vegetables
•  Grouse Shooting
•  Gymnastics
•  Handball
•  Harness Racing
•  Hiking holidays
•  Hockey
•  Horse Boarding
•  Horse Racing
•  Horse Riding
•  Hurling
•  Jogging and running
•  Jousting
•  Kite Boarding
•  Kite Buggying
•  Korfball
•  Lacrosse
•  Landboarding
•  Land Sailing and Land Yachting
•  Landscape painting holidays and art holidays
•  Laser Clay Shooting
•  Laser Tag
•  Lawn Mower Racing
•  Live Action Role Playing Games
•  Llama trekking
•  Marathon Running
•  Minimoto
•  Modern Pentathlon
•  Monster Truck Driving Experience
•  Motorcycling, Motocross and dirt biking
•  Motor Sports
•  Mountain Bikes
•  Mountain Boarding
•  Mountaineering
•  Mud Racing
•  Multi Use Games Areas and playgrounds for adults
•  Nascar
•  Netball
•  Open Air Theatre
•  Orienteering
•  Outdoor Movie theatres and cinemas
•  Outdoor Photography
•  Paintballing
•  Parks – Chess, Ping Pong, picnics, football, sunbathing…
•  Pentathlon
•  Petanque
•  Picnics
•  Piggy Back Fights
•  Pogo, extreme pogo and pogopalooza
•  Pony Trekking Holidays
•  Polo
•  Polocrosse
•  Quad Biking
•  Rally Driving Experience
•  Rambling
•  Remote Control Cars
•  Rock Climbing
•  Roller Coasters and Theme Parks
•  Roller Skating and Roller Blading
•  Roller Hockey, Puck Hockey
•  Rope Swings
•  Rounders
•  Rugby and Tag Rugby
•  Quoits
•  Safari Holidays
•  Sandboarding
•  Scavenger Hunts
•  Scooter Freestyle
•  Segway Offroading
•  Shinty
•  Shooting (air, clay, crossbow, pistol, rifle, longbow, compound bow)
•  Show Jumping
•  Skateboarding
•  Skeet Shooting
•  Skid Pan Experience Days
•  Skipping
•  Sightseeing
•  Slacklining
•  Soap Box Kart racing or Extreme Gravity Racing
•  Softball
•  Soft Martial Arts – Tai Chi, Chi Kung
•  Speedway
•  Sphering
•  Steam Train driving experience
•  Stock Car Racing and Demolition Derby
•  Stoolball
•  Street Hockey
•  Street Improvisation and Drama
•  Street Luge and Downhill Skateboarding and Downhill Skating
•  Table Tennis
•  Tag Rugby
•  Tank Driving Experience
•  Team Building Outdoor Activities
•  Tennis Holidays
•  Throw and Catch an American mini football, frisbee or frisbee golf
•  Tractor Pulling
•  Trail Running
•  Trampolining
•  Treasure Hunting and Metal Detectors
•  Tree Climbing
•  Treehouses
•  Triathlon Events
•  Tug of War
•  Ultimate Frisbee
•  Unicycling
•  Via Ferrata
•  Volleyball
•  Walking Holidays
•  Walk the dog
•  Wash the car
•  Watch the sunrise or sunset
•  Water Fights
•  Wildlife Conservation
•  Wildlife watching holidays
•  Yoga
•  Young Drivers – Car racing for teenagers, and driving experiences for 11 year olds and over
•  Zorbing

Water Activities

These outdoor water activities provide wet and wild inspiration in, on or under water.

•  Argo Cats
•  Banana rides
•  Blackwater rafting
•  Boating, Pedalos and Punts
•  Body Boarding
•  Bore Surfing
•  Bridge Jumping
•  Canoeing
•  Cave Diving
•  Coasteering
•  Crabbing
•  Diving (swimming)
•  Dragon Boat Racing
•  Exploring Rock Pools
•  Fishing Trips
•  Flyboard, waterjet powered hover board
•  Free Diving
•  Hovercraft Experience
•  Hydrospeeding and Riverboarding
•  Jet Skiing
•  Kayaking
•  Kitesurfing
•  Kneeboarding
•  Model Boats
•  Motor Cruising Holidays
•  Narrow boat holidays
•  Octopush Underwater hockey
•  Pond Dipping
•  Pooh Sticks, paper boats, duck races and dam building
•  Powerboating Courses
•  Raft Building
•  Rib Riding
•  River Bugging
•  Rowing
•  Sailing
•  Scuba Diving
•  Sea Kayaking
•  Skim Boarding
•  Snorkeling
•  Stand up paddle boarding
•  Surfing
•  Surf Life Saving
•  Swimming
•  Swimming with dolphins
•  Tall Ship Holidays
•  Tombstoning
• Waboba
•  Wakeboarding
•  Water Jet Pack Flying
•  Water Parks and flumes
•  Water Polo
•  Water Skiing
•  WaterWalkerz water sphering
•  Waveskiing
•  Whale Watching Holidays
•  Whitewater Rafting Trips
•  Wild Swimming
•  Windsurfing
•  Yacht Charters
•  Yachting
•  Zap Cat Racing

 Air Activities

This list of outdoor air activities includes birds, planes, flying toys and some seriously exhilarating aerial experiences.

•  Aeroplane flying and aerobatics experiences
•  Air Sphering
•  Astronomy
•  BASE Jumping
•  Bungee Jumping
•  Falconry experience days
•  Gliding lessons
•  Gyrocopter flying
•  Hang Gliding experience
•  Helicopter Flights
•  Hot Air Balloon Rides
•  Indoor Skydiving
•  Kites and Power Kites
•  Microlights
•  Model airplanes, helicopters and multirotors (drones)
•  Model Rockets
•  Paragliding and Paramotoring
•  Parascending
•  SCAD – Suspended Catch Air Device
•  Skydiving
•  Wing Walking

Winter Activities

This list of outdoor winter activities is all about being cool on the on snow and ice.  Most are adrenaline sports.

•  Airboarding
•  Biathlon
•  Bob Rafting
•  Bobsleigh
•  Curling
•  Dog Sledding Holidays
•  Heliskiing and Heliboarding
•  Ice Climbing
•  Ice Diving
•  Ice Hockey
•  Ice Karting
•  Ice Racing and Ice Driving
•  Ice Skating
•  Luge
•  Skeleton Bob
•  Skiing
•  Skiing Holidays
•  Skijoring with dogs, horses or a 4×4
•  Sledges and toboggans
•  Snowball fights, snowmen and free fun winter activities for teenagers
•  Snowblading
•  Snowboarding
•  Snowbombing
•  Snowcat Piste Basher Driving
•  Snow Kiting
•  Snowmobiling
•  Snow Rafting
•  Snow Shoeing
•  Snow Tubing and Doughnutting
•  Winter Olympics

Follow the blog to find out new trends and great ways to try out more outdoor activities examples and get Active Outdoors.

The post Outdoor Recreational Activities List appeared first on Active Outdoors.

If you don’t know, a bucket list is a list of things that you want to do while you can. In this case, you only have this summer to do every activity on the bucket list. So, what are you waiting for? Get going!

1. Messing about in boats

   Take to the water in one of the many forms of boats. You could go sailing, whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking, pootle about in a rowing boat, ride a pedalo, take a punt down a river, or just play about in an inflatable dinghy.

2. The Longest Handstand

   See who can do a handstand for the longest. If you can’t do a handstand, practise until you can do one for longer than 10 seconds.

3. Peculiar Picnics

   Rather than have a usual romantic picnic with your boyfriend or girlfriend, do something peculiar. You can hold it in a park, or by the river, or somewhere with a view. But, make it peculiar. You could wear something funny, do something odd, or have the picnic in an unusual place.

4. Watch a sunset

   This is a prime opportunity for romance. Find somewhere where you can watch the sunset. You could just go there and watch, or take a blanket and some food and drink. Perhaps have a BBQ.

5. Go camping

   Spend a night under canvas in a tent. You will want to make sure that you know some great tips on going camping with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

6. Swing on a rope swing

   Make your own rope swing, or find one and have a swing. You could take turns, or have a go at swinging on the rope together. The biggest rope swing in the world.

7. See an outdoor movie, or show your own

   Throughout the summer, outdoor movies are shown across the country. These are at drive ins, or at outdoor movie theatres set up just for the summer. You could host your own movie by using a projector and a sheet in the garden.

8. Go wild swimming

   Rather than going swimming at the local pool, why not find somewhere to go swimming in nature. You could swim in the sea, a river, or a lake. Make sure you know whether it is safe to swim in the location that you choose. Best places to go wild swimming in the UK.

9. Water parks

   You’ve seen the Justin Bieber video filmed at a water park. You can both have some amazing fun going down the flumes and slides. In the US, the water parks have some great water slides where the inflatable raft you go in actually goes uphill.

   
   YouTube Video of Schlitterbahn Waterpark Trip

10. Wackiest rollercoaster photo

    Most of the best rollercoasters have a camera that takes your picture at the scariest moment. Why not see who can pull the wackiest face at that moment on the rollercoaster? You may already be making a weird face due to being about to go down a steep drop. Or enjoy the moment and score this one as just riding a rollercoaster or any fairground ride.

11. Bodyboarding

    The beach, the sun, a tight wetsuit and a bodyboard. Find yourself some waves and get boarding.

12. Sandcastle competition

    Make a big sandcastle. You don’t have to go to the beach for sand though. You could always use the sand pit in the kiddies playground.

13. Go for a bike ride

    

14. You have a variety of choices on how to do this. You could go on a short road trip and visit a place of interest. Perhaps have a go at riding a tandem. If you can’t ride a bike, hire one of those four wheeled bikes or a trike. You often find them on the promenade at the beach. For a bit more excitement, you could go mountain biking through the woods.

15. Crab fishing

    Crab fishing is simple to do. All you need is some line with a string bag of bacon on the end. Rock pools, harbours and piers are all great places to go. You could have a competition so see who can catch the most, or the biggest.

16. Use public transport to go somewhere new

    Work out how to read those timetables and go on a trip to somewhere you haven’t been before. This could be a museum, a park, or even a different shopping mall. Maybe go for a meal.

17. Crazy golf or adventure golf

    There are loads of adventure golf courses now. This can be great fun, especially with some of the themed obstacles. You are bound to end up with your ball in the water at some point.

18. Paper boat races

    Make some paper boats and have a race down a river or stream.

19. Kite flying

    Make, buy or borrow a kite and see what aerobatics you can do with it. Even better, work out how to fly a power kite and get lifted off the ground

20. Take some photos with a theme

    Take some photos that are linked with a theme, such as colour, or places to eat. You could take a picture of yourselves at every pizza place in the area. Perhaps take pictures where you are wearing the same funny hat. There have been some viral photos doing this, such as Oscar the globetrotting dog, or the photos taken by the man who was dragged around the world by his girlfriend.

21. Water fights

    This has got to be on your summer bucket list. Have an awesome water fight. Use water pistols, super soakers, garden hoses, buckets of water, or anything else that comes to hand. You could mix it with washing the car. There you are happily washing the car when you accidentally throw a sponge, or point the hose the wrong way. Before you know it, you are having a water fight, or a stand up row.

22. Make your own movie or play

    Get out the acting skills and film your own bit of drama. You could even go to the lengths of dressing up or making scenery. You could even get a job as extras in a TV, film or music video.

23. Roll down a grassy hill or sand dune

    Simple and free. An easy item to check off of your summer bucket list. For thd ultimate rush, try zorbing in a big inflatable ball.

24. Make the biggest bubble

    As it say, make the biggest bubble. You can use those little bubble pots, or get bubble wands. You can make some really huge bubbles.

25. Live for a day without electronics

    This could be one of the most difficult things to do on the boyfriend girlfriend summer bucket list. No phones, TV, radio, ipods or any other use of electronic gadgets. You will have to make your own entertainment. Still, you have plenty of other things to be getting on with on the bucket list.

26. Play a game of tennis

    Another free thing to do. Most tennis courts in parks are free to use. If they do cost and you don’t want to pay, set up your own net.

27. Make someone smile

    No it can’t be your partner! That would be cheating. Do something together that makes someone smile. It could be doing something nice, or helping someone.

28. Make someone laugh

    This is a bit harder. I am sure that you and your boyfriend or girlfriend can come up with something really silly that will make someone laugh.

29. Draw or paint a view

    Go outside somewhere that has a great view. Draw or paint what you see. You don’t have to be great at art. Just put down your impression on the page.

30. Animals

    Do something to do with animals. Go to a zoo or wildlife park. Go birdwatching. Discover these fun things to do while walking your dog (or someone else’s).

31. Make something special for your boyfriend or girlfriend

    This last item on the boyfriend girlfriend summer bucket list is to make a special gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend. Use all of your art and craft skills to make a gift.

What is everyone else reading about?

If you want to make your summer bucket list even bigger, here are a few other outdoor summer activities you might like to do with your boyfriend or girlfriend:
These are the top 3 things that everyone else reads next:

• Fun outdoor activities do to with your boyfriend or girlfriend
• Tips for Going Camping With Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend
• The Ultimate Outdoor Activities List

The post Boyfriend and Girlfriend Summer Bucket List appeared first on Active Outdoors.

You are so in love, but don’t want to hang around the house making out if your brother or sister will get in the way. What you need are some romantic ideas of things to do outside with your boyfriend or girlfriend, and some places to go to spend time together. To help you out, here are lots of great ideas for fun things to do with your boyfriend that are free or relatively cheap.

The Great Outdoors has a wonderful range of interesting things to do outside. It does help if it is a warm and sunny day, but there are still plenty of fun things to do with your boyfriend or girlfriend outside in winter.

Geocaching

If you have a handheld global positioning system (GPS), then you could go geocaching. Geocaching is where you get the coordinates for a hidden box and then use a GPS to find it. The boxes are usually small waterproof containers or ammo boxes with a log book inside. Some geocaches also have a few goodies such as a book or keyring. The principle is that you leave a new item in the box, and take one of the items out of the box. Look at my Geocaching page for more information on what it is and how to get started.

Theme Parks, Fun Fairs and Amusement Arcades

Theme parks are a great way to share thrilling experiences together. You and your boyfriend or girlfriend can scream your heads off on the fastest rides. If you aren’t up for too many thrills, then there are plenty of more sedate rides. Look for a Tunnel of Love!

You can find out which are deemed to be the best theme parks in the world on my page about Rollercoasters, theme parks and how to beat the queues.

For free fun things to do with your girlfriend or boyfriend, places like Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles or Brighton Pier in the UK provide a place to walk arm in arm, share fries or candyfloss, and enjoy a fun fair or amusements. You can even try to win your loved one a huge teddy.

Water Parks and Flumes

Water parks are a fantastic way to have fun together outdoors in the summer sun. You can share the thrill of the flumes and rides, and discover whether you like them or not. They are a good way to get closer, as you can find out whether your partner is a thrillseeker or scared. You can then choose whether to get more adventurous or to give them a bit of emotional support.
Find out which are the best water parks in the world and what they are like.

Hiking and Walking in the Woods or on the Beach

Hiking or just going for a walk can be very therapeutic. You can walk arm in arm exploring the countryside, and hopefully find a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery. It depends on where you are. If you live near the beach, you could go for a walk along the sand, paddle in the sea, or walk along the pier.

There are plenty of National Trust properties, woods and beaches in the UK that you can visit.  If you get National Trust annual membership for couples, it is then free to get into all of their outdoor places, including free parking.  Their website has plenty of inspiration for more things to do outdoors with your boyfriend.

Walk the Dog

If one of you has a dog, taking it for a walk can be a great excuse to get out of the house and have some time to yourselves. You could go for a walk in the park, or if you have the day to spend together, go further afield.  If you think it will be a bit dull, you might be interested in some entertaining ways to make dog walking fun.

Going to the park is always great as generally it means lazing around in the sunshine. You could make different coloured paper boats and put them on the lake, or have races with them in a stream.

Daisy Chains

If there is a patch of grass near you that is quiet, you can see who can make the longest daisy chain. There is a definite art to it. Just imagine yourself lying in the park, the sun shining down on you and a pile of torn daisies at your feet where you haven’t quite got the hang of it yet.

Picnics

One of the nice things to do for your boyfriend or girlfriend is to put together a picnic and find a lovely spot to sit with your girlfriend or boyfriend by a river or in a park under a tree. You can spend hours eating, and laying in the sun. You can read stories and poetry to each other, and even write poetry just for the one you love.

Pony trekking or horse riding

It can be great fun going on a horse riding holiday with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Check out whether they like horses before you book anything though. There are pony trekking outings for an hour or even a day. Perhaps you can find one where you can ride together along the beach.

Kite Flying

Power kites are fantastic fun and are strong enough to lift you off the ground. You could spend the day in the park or on the beach with your boyfriend or girlfriend flying your kite. Depending on your kite this could be relaxing, thrilling and definitely fun! If you are up for some adventure, get yourself a power kite and see which way the wind blows you.

Boating

You could take your boyfriend or girlfriend for a relaxing day outdoors on a boating lake. Perhaps there is a canal near you where you can hire a rowing boat, pedalo or punt. For the more adventurous of you, hire a kayak, or go sea kayaking. Make sure you know how well your boyfriend or girlfriend can swim incase of emergencies. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you could go sailing

Things to do together at the beach

The beach is a fab place to spend time with your boyfriend or girlfriend. There are so many things to do at the beach in the sun together. You could make sandcastles or write each others’ names in the sand with pictures. You could sunbathe and rub sun screen onto each other. Lie back and read a book, or perhaps read poetry to each other. You could write your own poetry for your girlfriend.

If you don’t want to stay still, you could go for a walk along the beach or pier. Then there’s swimming in the sea, body boarding, kite surfing, surfing and even stand up paddle boarding. There is a great new toy call the Waboba Ball, which bounces when you throw it on water. Great fun for throwing and catching games with your boyfriend or girlfriend at the beach.

On the shoreline, you can go roller blading with your boyfriend or girlfriend holding hands. Not only is this romantic, but it may help you to stay upright if you aren’t that good on rollerblades. When you get tired, stop for an ice cream.

Fun things to do at the beach with friends

Go crabbing or rock pool exploring

If you and your boyfriend or girlfriend are looking for things to do on the beach together, you may have fun catching crabs, or use a net to catch fish and shrimps in rock pools. Watch out for the incoming tide!

Dune Surfing and Sandboarding

Another fun thing to do at the beach is dune surfing. If there are any dunes around, get hold of a cheap bodyboard from a seaside shop and career down the dunes. It’s exhausting as you have you have to keep climbing back up again, but a real giggle. Plus, you can then use the bodyboard in the sea if there are any waves to jump around in.  Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, but on sand dunes.

Watch the sunset together

Grab yourself some food and drink and go out into the countyside or to the beach together. Find somewhere with a view. Put your rug down on the ground and talk while watching the sunset. If you are allowed to stay out when it’s dark, you could lay back and gaze up at the stars.

Something fun to do in the evenings along with watching the sunset with your boyfriend or girlfriend is lighting Chinese lanterns and letting them float into the sky. You do have to watch out for any local regulations regarding the use of Chinese lanterns though.

Stargazing

Looking up at the stars together is so romantic. If you can find a place away from streetlights, such as a campsite or the beach, you will be able to see the stars much better. You may see a shooting star or even be able to spot satellites. Try a spot of astronomy and identify the star constellations.  Remember to wrap up warm though. You can talk about all sorts of things.

Sit by a roaring fire

A nice fire on the beach as the sun sets could be the thing to do with your girlfriend or boyfriend. Toast a few marshmallows.

Wash the Car

You won’t be far from the house, but at least you will be outside. Washing the car can be lots of fun, and will often end up with playing about with sponges and water going everywhere. Be certain that your partner doesn’t mind before you decide to throw the whole bucket of water over them. You could make it into a money making enterprise by asking around the neighbourhood whether people want their cars washed.

Go Fruit Picking

There are plenty of places where you can go fruit picking. You can choose from strawberries, raspberries, grapes, apples, oranges, or whatever you can find. You don’t even have to like the fruit you are picking. Go off with your boyfriend or girlfriend and collect lots of strawberries for your mum. It is a great activity to do together, and you may find that you eat most of what you pick before you get home.

Make a rope swing

Make a rope swing – tyre, foot loop, plank for seat, over stream or river (not fast flowing). Find out more on my page about making the ultimate rope swings

Fun Things to do With Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend Outside in Winter

Even if it is cold and snowy, you and your boyfriend or girlfriend can have fun together. If you are fed up of being stuck indoors, then wrap up warm and get outside in the fresh air. You can go for a walk in the country, which is more magical if it has been snowing. Take a flask with a hot drink in it so that you can stop at a nice viewpoint and keep warm.

A sleigh ride or horse carriage ride together is a lovely things to do. It will cost you though. You can snuggle up together under a blanket and watch the scenery go by.

Free Things to do Outside With Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend

You could build a snowman together. Have a snowball fight, although this can often go rapidly downhill when you manage to get a snowball down your girlfriends neck. Perhaps make an igloo and snuggle up inside with some hot drinks and talk. You will be amazed at how warm an igloo is inside.

Make an ice slide. Find a nice flat stretch of snowy ground and carefully walk over it to compact the snow. Once it is fairly compact, you can then begin trying to slide on it. See how far you can slide without falling over.

If you don’t fancy being truly outside, you could go shopping for winter hats. Find something fashionable or fun. Perhaps you can then find a cafe with a window seat and watch the world go by with your boyfriend or girlfriend and a nice hot cup of hot chocolate.  Or you can make a fire and toast marshmallows.

For winter sports, you and your boyfriend or girlfriend could go skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, sledging, or even better is ice skating (as you can hold hands). If you want to have a real laugh together, try snow tubing or doughnutting. This is where you go down a snowy slope whilst sitting in an enormous inflatable inner tube. When there isn’t any snow about, you can do it at your local ski slope. I have compiled a list of free outdoor winter activities that you could do with your girlfriend or other friends.

Camping

If you are adventurous enough, you could go camping together. I have put together some tips on camping with your boyfriend or girlfriend. To start with, only one night may well be enough, especially if you don’t know each other that well.  Spending too much time together in one go can make or break relationships.

You will need camping gear. If you don’t have your own, you are certain to know someone who will lend you some. It is also best going to a proper campsite with facilities rather than trying to brave it in the wilds. Have a look at my camping kit list for ideas on what you will need to take with you.

What’s Other Things Does Everyone Else Love Doing Outside?

Still looking for more ways to spend time with your boyfriend? If you are stuck for ideas of things to do for Valentines Day, you can always buy an activity gift experience. With a huge selection of activities I offer ranging from pampering spa days, driving fast cars, tanks, champagne at the top of the Shard in London, and pretty much any thing you can think of. I have compiled a list of the most popular activity experience gift ideas for you.

These are the top 3 pages that other couples love to read:

• Boyfriend and Girlfriend Summer Bucket List
• Tips for Going Camping With Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend
• The Ultimate Outdoor Activities List

The post Fun Things to do with Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend Outside appeared first on Active Outdoors.

Skills – Strength: 5, Balance: 1, Flexibility: 1, Agility: 1, Coordination: 4
Time needed: travelling time + 1 hour, Cost to try: £Free

What is Wild Swimming?

Daniel Start, author of the book Wild Swimming, writes that ever since the late Roger Deakin swam through Britain by river, lake and sea the term ‘wild swimming’ has been used to describe the age-old practise of swimming in natural waters – river swimming and other outdoor swimming. In our grandparents” day swimming holes were where people learnt to swim and congregated on a summer day – to paddle, picnic and play. Today there is a resurgence of interest in the traditional pleasure of wild swimming and people are learning to explore their rivers and lakes for swimming again.

Rivers are cleaner and more accessible than ever. You can spend the day with your friends swinging on a rope swing out over a pool and dropping into the cool water below. If you don’t know where to find a decent place to go wild swimming, use the link at the bottom of the page. Daniel Start has written a great book ”Wild Swimming” which gives details of some fantastic places to swim outdoors. Both his book and website give information on where to go and how to swim safely.

Is Wild Swimming for me?

A scorching hot summer’s day is a great time for wild swimming, and it can be exciting on rainy or cooler days too…

What if the water is cold?

Water temperatures can vary. Shallow lakes can get up to a balmy 25C in summer but mountain rivers may struggle to reach 20C. Much of the year outdoor waters are around 12C – 17C so the key is to arrive at the swimming hole so hot and sweaty you can’t wait to strip off and plunge in.

Plan a good hearty walk to get there, and put on lots of warm clothes before you arrive. Once you’re in the water it takes a few minutes before the cold feeling goes away, so persevere. In general, the more you swim in cold water the less you feel the cold and the greater the health benefits of what is called ‘cold adaptation’. Don’t stay in too long without a wetsuit, though, and definitely get out and warm up after 20 minutes or if you start to shiver. Put on warm clothes immediately after a swim and combine this with something active: walk up a hill or do some star jumps.

Wild Swimming Gear

What to wear when going wild swimming

You’ll have more confidence, and be better able to explore, if you have footwear (e.g. old trainers, jelly beans etc) and goggles. A normal surfing wetsuit, a sleeveless wetsuit top or a specialist triathlon wetsuit will all help you stay warm longer. Make sure you bring towels, a picnic rug, midge repellent, suntan lotion, sunhats and plastic bags for all your wet kit. Inflatables are popular but make sure people won’t drift away on them, especially non-swimmers. A proper buoyancy aid (about £40) is safer, and fun too.

Buy Costumes, Goggles and Wetsuits for Wild Swimming

Eskdale in the Lake District, UK, has some great places to go wild swimming. The river Esk has wonderful pools and waterfalls. The ”Tongue Pot” is a long emerald pool beneath a waterfall about an hours walk from the road. It has rock walls that are famous for jumping from.

If you want to go wild swimming in Yorkshire, Stainforth Force lies below the Stainforce Packhorse Bridge west of the village. It has shallow pools suitable for younger children, and decent places for jumping in.

Safety

Data from ROSPA shows that 95 per cent of all swimming drowning victims were male and many were teenagers. Make sure you don’t become one of them. When you go into any water, always check it is safe to do so. Make sure you know how deep it is and that the bottom is clear of debris. Don’t dive into the shallow bit! Always swim within your abilities and NEVER swim after having any alcohol. People often get into difficulties by becoming too tired to swim back to shore, or get tangled in weeds and debris under the water. It is best to stay within a short distance of where you can safely touch the bottom.

Find Out More About Wild Swimming

There are more wild swimming safety tips on Daniel Start’s website.

Whether you are planning on going wild swimming in the Peak District, Yorkshire, or elsewhere in the UK, follow these wild swimming links for more information on:

• Maps & directons
• Water quality
• Staying safe
• Wildlife and nature
• Access and law
• Adventure

For lots more useful information on wild swimming in the UK, buy the book Wild Swimming by Daniel Start from Amazon, or visit the Wild Swimming Website.

Buy Costumes, Goggles and Wetsuits for Wild Swimming

If you like Wild Swimming, why not try…

• Water Sphering
• Water Parks

The post Wild Swimming appeared first on Active Outdoors.

Travel destinations include Wanaka and Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island, Niseko on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido as well as Hakuba, in the Japanese Alps. The company specialises in creating bespoke trips based on extensive first-hand knowledge of the region and years of experience in the sector.

The company was founded by Nickie Mabey, a British expat based in Singapore. Born of four ski generations Nickie has an unmistakable background in the ski industry – she brings a wealth of experience and contacts that enables Mabey Ski to create ski itineraries filled with experiences to destinations that the majority of British holidaymakers have very limited knowledge of.

One of the key aspects of a Mabey Ski experience is the plethora of unusual winter activities that can be built into personal itineraries. Cat skiing by the ocean, sky diving into wineries, skiing through ice caves on remote glaciers, sake tasting with locals, helicopter flights over towering peaks, stargazing from the comfort of a bed and a long list of other adventures that can all be organised at the point of booking.

Founder and CEO, Nickie Mabey, said: “I’m forever dreaming of ski trips, and yet I find myself continually underwhelmed by ski holiday itineraries. Luxury travel providers organise authentic experiences whilst ski holiday providers take care of the skiing, but there is a missing link between the two – which is where we come in. Having spent many years getting to know Japan and New Zealand inside out, we’re able to craft itineraries which integrate cultural experiences and skiing. Whether it’s escaping the crowds to unwind in a local onsen after a day of chest-deep powder or sipping on home-brewed mulled wine mid-glacier ski, we know it’s the little details that create the memories”.

The New Zealand ski season runs from June to September with July and August being the peak times for winter sports. Ski holidays to Japan run from December to April, with the best powder snow conditions normally found in January and February.

Packages:

8 days in New Zealand with half-board accommodation at boutique lodges in Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt Cook, inclusive of 4WD car hire, lift passes, ski and boot rental, full day heli-ski, glacier skiing with scenic flight, private wine tasting and stargazing. Around £5,000 per person, excluding flights.

8 days in Japan with half-board accommodation in Niseko and two nights in Tokyo, inclusive of private transfers, lift passes, ski and boot rental, portable Wi-Fi dongle, backcountry CAT ski guiding with photography, private onsen tour and Japanese cooking class. Around £2,000 per person, excluding flights.

Find out more from mabeyski.com

Tips on Choosing the Ultimate Ski Holiday

The post New ski travel specialist is redefining ski holidays in New Zealand and Japan appeared first on Active Outdoors.

I Am Team GB will culminate in The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day, on Saturday 24 August 2019 during the Bank Holiday weekend. The aim of the event is to inspire people to take part in sport and physical activity for at least one day, in particular those who aren’t usually active but would like to try something new and change their lifestyle. The hope is that this will inspire them to incorporate sport into their everyday lives.

The event will connect people with community-led opportunities for a range of experience and abilities. Activities on offer include a walk with friends around the local area, a friendly football match at the local pitches, a tag rugby day for parents and children, a family bike ride, a ‘have a go’ event at community sports clubs and much more. Hundreds of activities have already been set up by the volunteer Games Makers.

I Am Team GB was originally launched in 2016 to celebrate the success of Britain’s Olympians returning from the Rio Games. The award-winning campaign harnessed the power of the Olympic sporting network and almost one million people across the UK took part.

For those who would rather organise an activity than take part in one already organised, there are terrific opportunities in the form of I Am Team GB Games Makers. Building on the unprecedented success of the volunteers at London in 2012, the Games Makers will receive full support and help with organising activities as part of the programme.  Information on I Am Team GB is available at IAmTeamGB.com.

Team GB Commercial Director Tim Ellerton said: “We are very excited to be bringing back I Am Team GB. With the tremendous support from Toyota and the huge success of the previous campaign, we know that we can create an impactful and more importantly fun opportunity for local communities to come together, get moving and enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

“We saw the incredible impact of I Am Team GB in 2016 after the Rio Games, the creativity of events, the engagement of communities and the enjoyment of athletes and fans alike”.

Toyota ambassador and Olympic legend, Laura Kenny, said: “We have seen just what an impact the Olympics has in terms of generating interest, enthusiasm and participation in sport.

“It’s vital that sport takes advantage of this excitement and interest.  With just over a year to go until Tokyo 2020, this is the perfect time to be launching I Am Team GB and I am looking forward to seeing the fantastic range of events that people throughout the country get involved in.”

I Am Team GB will celebrate its first title partner in the shape of Toyota. Andrew Cullis, Toyota GB Marketing Director highlighted the importance of the initiative to the brand.

“We are thrilled to be working with Team GB to launch this fantastic initiative, helping people from across the UK to get active within their local communities and most importantly to have fun doing so.

“Our association with ‘I Am Team GB’ is another important step in our commitment to make movement better for everyone as we begin our transition to a mobility company.”

For further information, please visit TeamGB.com

The post The nation’s biggest sports day, I Am Team GB, to return appeared first on Active Outdoors.