Learning the trade – recognising the needs of aspiring adventure sports professionals

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to stimulate debate and prompt further research regarding the training, development and Higher Education (HE) of aspiring adventure professionals (AP's). The design of the paper draws on 10 years of observations and trends within the HE outdoor degree teaching sector, in tandem with the authors' own extensive professional outdoor careers. Initial findings indicate the role and significance of Professional Judgement and Decision Making (PJDM) in professional practice within adventure sports (AS) coaching and leadership. Consequently, PJDM is found to be a vital element of the education of the AP. The training and practice of these PJDM skills is a situated cognition that is conspicuous in its absence within many coach and leader education programmes where the AP is required to balance pedagogical and welfare demands in consequential environments. A cognitive apprenticeship approach is advocated which builds on  recent articles highlighting the importance of PJDM in such domains.

KEYWORDS:

• Adventure sports coaching
• traditional sports coaching
• professional judgment and decision making
• risk management
• adventure professional

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. A disposable plan created with the intention to be adapted as factors change.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Martin Barry

Martin Barryis currently writing for a Professional Doctorate at the University of Central Lancashire.  He holds high level coaching and leadership certifications in a range of adventure sports. With over 30 years  experience of guiding and leading around the globe, Martin has a passion for adventurous outdoor activities which promote positive interactions between people and the environment. He has worked as a schoolteacher,  university degree course leader, military instructional officer and Outward Bound tutor. His research interests lie in understanding and teaching the complex decision making processes within adventure sports.

Loel Collins

Loel Collinsis an independent researcher based in the UK. He has worked in adventure sports and outdoor education for over 35 years, principally at the National Centres and with the Institute of Coaching and Performance at the University of Central Lancashire. Loel holds high level coaching certifications in a range of adventure sports and is one of the few researchers investigating the specifics of coaching and coach education in adventure sports. His primary interests lie in understanding judgement and decision making in complex environments.