Adventure Sports in the National Curriculum

EDUCATION
Through
Adventure

Individual and co-operative activities that take place in a challenging environment, usually outdoors, in which elements that cannot be fully controlled influence the selection and use of skills and strategies to attain set goals. There is a particular emphasis on interpersonal skills and reflection on learning. Participants can choose one of the following activities:

  • Orienteering
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Rock climbing
  • Sailing
  • Rowing/Sculling

PARTICPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF THEIR CAPACITY TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES IN THE SELECTED ACTIVITY IN AQUATICS:

Orienteering
  • Map-reading
  • Pacing skills
  • Navigation skills
  • Route-planning
  • Adhering to safe-practice procedures
  • Demonstrating respect for the environment
Sailing
  • Leaving/returning to windward shore
  • Leaving/returning to a leeward shore
  • Tacking/going about (upwind)
  • Gybing
  • Capsize drill and recovery
  • Sailing course up/downwind
Rowing/Sculling
  • Sculling strokes
  • Rowing on stroke side
  • Rowing on bow side
  • Paddling with square blades
  • Single stroke to hands away
Kayaking (Moving/white water)
  • Launching and landing—at low wall/bank
  • Paddling—forwards, backwards, stopping, sweep and reverse sweep strokes, edging, stern rudder, ferry glide and reverse ferry glide
  • Breaking in and out of a current: into eddy—bow rudder/low brace and no brace; from eddy—low brace, bow rudder
  • Negotiating and use of currents and water features including stoppers, standing, waves, whirlpools and green water
  • Capsize drill, Eskimo roll, self-rescue and recovery
  • Two advanced/group skills from capsize and rescue, (self and with rope), e.g. combat roll, high cross, hanging draw
Kayaking (Inland flat water/coastal)
  • Launching and landing—at low wall/bank
  • Paddling—forwards, backwards, stopping, sweep and reverse sweep strokes (static and moving) stern rudder, bow rudder, figure of 8 course (forward and backwards) ferry glide and reverse ferry glide
  • Draw strokes and support strokes—draw strokes/sculling draw, sculling for support
  • Capsize drill, rolls, self-rescue and recovery
  • Deep water rescues—swimmer to boat/X-rescue, rafting
Rock climbing (Outdoors or indoor climbing wall: single pitch)
  • Ability to use equipment and implement safe procedures
  • Basic knots
  • Correct use of climbing calls and communication
  • Climbing bottom and top rope (single and multiple anchors), rope management, belaying, hand/finger/foot jams, 3-point and/or correct use of 2-point contact points, lay backing, undercling, bridging
  • Climbing overhang and/or mantle shelf
  • Traversing feet and hands
  • Abseiling straight demonstrating ability to lock off when collecting equipment part-way down
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