About Me

EXPERTISE without the EGO

Firstly, I would say that all courses I run are student centred. It’s your course! It’s not about me. The venue, equipment and course content are all planned in order to facilitate the best learning environment for you. The reason I run these courses is the pleasure I get in teaching people new skills and watching them become self sufficient. I have a full understanding of different learning styles and the best coaching techniques for each. It’s my belief that if a student doesn’t understanding or isn’t able to master a skill, it’s the fault of the coach!

I have been actively involved in the outdoors since a young age and have been working full time as a freelance instructor since 2000. During this time I have worked for a number of different companies and have had the pleasure of working with a huge number of different instructors. All of these have contributed to the wealth of experience, knowledge and skills I have acquired.

I hold the highest UK summer mountaineering qualification MCI (Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor), MLW (Mountain Leader Winter) and MIAS L3 (Mountain bike Instructor Award Scheme Level 3), DCA (Development Coach Award) amongst many others. I am an approved provider of Mountain Training qualifications so I am training and assessing the next generation of climbing coaches and instructors.

I regularly take part in CPD (Continual Professional Development) courses to keep myself up to date with best practice. For example the BMC FUNdamentals and SAIS latest avalanche courses. I frequently work with other top level instructors and leading outdoor centres all over the country, which means I don’t always work in isolation and keep myself fresh.

Climbing

I live to climb! North Wales feels like my personal play ground, if I’m not working then you’ll find me on a big trad multi pitch route or clipping bolts at a steep sports crag. I love the journey and exploration of the big trad routes, starting at the bottom of a massive cliff and getting to the top without needing any pre-placed gear or leaving anything behind. I’m also familiar with climbing all over Scotland, the southern sea cliffs, grit-stone outcrops of the Peaks and the south Wales coast. Not that the grade I climb has an impact on my coaching but I often get asked so, I onsite trad lead E2 5c, head point E4 6a and on sports routes I’ve on-sited 7a+ and Red pointed 7c.

Mountain biking

I grew up on my bike. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a bike or wasn’t out on it. I enjoy riding my hard tail cross country or down tight technical tracks. But having said that I do love getting my pads and full face helmet on and taking my full suss out, riding some steep down hill tracks. Living in North Wales I know all the best routes and Scotland feels like a second home with the amount of time I spend up there.

Mountain bike me

“The day I think I know everything, is the day I’ll quit!”

Other Qualifications


Climbing

Mountaineering- MTA                          

  • Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (MIA)
  • Winter Mountain Leader
  • Mountain Leader
  • Rock Climbing Instructor (SPA)
  • Development Coach
  • Climbing Fundamentals 1, 2 & 3
  • Climbing Physical Training 1
  • Coaching Children
  • Course provider for RCI, CWI, CWIA, CWDI, ICA. FC & DC

 

Paddle Sports- BCU    

  • Level 2 Instructor
  • White Water Safety and Rescue
  • Four Star Personal Kayak
  • Three Star Personal Canoe
  • (Tandem and Solo)

 

CPD

  • SAIS, Avalanche workshop
  • AMI, Bolting workshop
  • MTA, Two Course Provider workshops
  • MTA, National Provider Conference
  • BR, Coaching and training workshops

Other

  • MIAS, Level 3 Mountain Bike Instructor
  • ERCA, PPE certified inspector
  • ERCA, Wooden Pole certified inspector
  • ERCA, Wire Rope certified inspector
  • NDT V1 inspector
  • Experienced trainer of Facilitating
  • Sports UK, Safeguarding & Protecting Children
  • R.E.C, 16 hour First Aid
  • Rescue3, Swift Water Rescue Technician
  • Full Clean UK Driving License with D1 minibus

 

Sailing- RYA

  • Day Skipper Theory & Practical
  • Radio operator
  • Power boat Level 2
  • Dingy Sailing Level 3

 

Scuba Diving- PADI     

  • Dive Master
  • Equipment Specialist
  • Medic First Aid
  • Rescue Diver                           
  • Advance Open Water
  • Specialist Night Diver & Dry Suit Diver

“If it isn’t right, its wrong. And if its wrong don’t do it!”