How to become an Outdoor Adventure Leader

An "Outdoor Adventure Leader", which we use here as a generic term for an Adventure Tourist Guide or an Adventure-Based Learning Facilitator, instructs and guides individuals and groups undertaking adventure activities in a variety of outdoor locations. Activities may include outdoor education and recreation, bicycle touring, bushwalking, canoeing, caving, cross-country skiing, horse trekking, rafting, rock climbing and sailing.

Personal requirements

Enjoy outdoor activities
High level of skill in one or more outdoor activities
Good administration and organisational skills
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Able to lead, motivate and supervise other people
Strong decision-making skills
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Patience, tact and composure under pressure
Ability to speak another language may be an advantage.

Requirements

Duties & tasks

An outdoor adventure leader may perform the following tasks:

Plan and prepare activities for both individual and group participation
Demonstrate the relevant body movements and skills required
Check suitability, condition and performance of all equipment prior to, during and on return from programs
Supervise and maintain control of the individuals and groups involved
Provide advice on safety measures and risk-avoidance strategies
Respond to emergencies by providing first aid assistance and take appropriate further action if required
Accept responsibility for the environmental preservation of activity sites and surrounding areas.

Working conditions

Outdoor adventure leaders spend most of their working time outdoors. They are required to work in all weather conditions and in all types of terrain. Locations may include national parks, rivers, mountains, forests, at sea or underwater. Due to the nature of the role, outdoor adventure leaders may be required to work on weekends, public holidays and evenings.

Specialisations

An outdoor adventure leader instructs and guides individuals and groups undertaking adventure activities in a variety of outdoor locations. Activities may include bicycle touring, bushwalking, canoeing, caving, cross-country skiing, horse trekking, rafting, rock climbing and sailing.

Courses / Specialisations

ADVENTURE TOURIST GUIDE QUALIFICATIONS:

In order to register as an Adventure Tourist Guide with the National Registrar, you must successfully complete one of two qualifications and be assessed based on both the theoretical and technical skill by a CATHSSETA accredited training provider and assessor who is also a subject matter expert:

1. Generic Adventure Site Guide Skills Programme.

Although termed a "site" guide, the guide is not restricted to a geographical site as the word ‘site’ applies to his or her adventure specialty that can be practiced in any place in the Republic. The word "generic" applies to the set of adventure tourism skills, knowledge and abilities that apply in all adventure guiding and does not restrict it to one activity. However, the guide is assessed ‘in context’ of the activity they wish to offer. There is no limit to the specialisations of this course however the course must be run “IN CONTEXT” to the specialisation or activity being undertaken. This is an NQF Level 4 skills programme and has 40 to 60 credits.

A list of GASG Accredited Training Providers (in alphabetical order):

2. The Further Education and Training National Certificate 71549: Adventure Guiding

The FETC National Certificate 71549: Adventure Guiding is currently the most comprehensive NQF Level 4, CATHSSETA accredited adventure guiding qualification comprising of 134 credits. Apart from being a National Adventure Guide, it also makes provision for an expansion of personal guiding skills into both, the culture and nature guiding fields were FETC 71549 qualified Guides can add various electives from an array of niche interests, e.g. battlefields, wine, geo-heritage, birding, etc.

A list of FETC: Adventure Guiding Accredited Training Providers (in alphabetical order):

STEDT (Sports, Tourism, Events, Development, Training)

ADVENTURE BASED LEARNING FACILITATOR QUALIFICATIONS:

While there is no regulated or legally required qualification for this course yet, the Adventure Recreation Association (ARA) training is largely accepted and required at many adventure-based learning campsites around the country. There are many other courses out there that mirror this training. Find a training provider here.

ADVENTURE TOURISM MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

For a more well-rounded, higher level Diploma in all things Adventure Tourism, Regulations & Safety, Guiding, Adventure-Based Learning, Adventure Activities, Business, etc. the Adventure Tourism Management Diploma is offered by the Tshwane University of Technology. Find out more here.

Courses / Specialisatons

How to become an Adventure Tourist Guide

According to the Tourism Act, the registrar can only register you as a guide if you are found competent against a formal qualification, which means that you present a certificate by a CATHSSETA accredited training provider.

In order to become an Adventure Tourist Guide, you must complete the following training, assessments and registration:

Generic Adventure Site Guide (GASG) qualification OR the FETC National Certificate 71549: Adventure Guiding qualification with a CATHSSETA accredited training provider.
OPTIONAL (and dependent on activity): a course in your chosen adventurous activity.
Keep a logbook of events (normally around 21 events with at least 5 being in a leadership role).
Get assessed by an accredited CATHSSETA assessor (most times it is also the training provider and should be someone who is a subject matter expert).

Legislation also says that you are required to have a valid First Aid certificate when you register or re-register as a guide. The Adventure Tourism industry does have an expectation that an adventure tourist guide holds a valid Wilderness First Responder (Level 3) certificate. Find a training provider here.

For more information on the legislation, please see here.

Adventure Touris Gude

How to become a Registered Tourist Guide.

Provincial Registrars are appointed in each of the nine (9) provinces to register tourist guides. Applicants must satisfy the following requirements before they are considered for registration:

Proof of competence recognised by SAQA (this is your adventure tourist guide qualification).
A valid first aid certificate issued by an institution recognised by the Department of Labour.
A completed and signed application form accompanied by the prescribed fee. (Each province has its own application form and registration process.)
A signed copy of the code of conduct and ethics for tourist guides, find it here.
Proof of South African citizenship or in the case of a non-South African citizen, a valid working via granting permission to work as a tourist guide.
Four (4) passport sized photos.

This registration is valid for 3 years and must renewed at the end of that time. For more information on how to register as a tourist guide, please see here.

How to Register