Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in Bude

University of Brighton physical education, sports coaching and sport science students spent a week in May at Outdoor Adventure in Bude as part of their undergraduate courses.

The trip focused on performance in a range of outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA) with an emphasis on using a variety of complex outdoor activity skills and techniques such as canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, surfing and windsurfing in unfamiliar environments. The activities incorporated problem solving, team building and physical challenges.

Amongst the students was sport studies with PE student Lexi Hibberd (pictured right) who is blind.

A student-centred teaching approach through the processes of planning, performing and evaluating was used to develop practical knowledge and understanding. By the end of the week students had experienced a wide selection of OAA in a residential setting.

With qualified instruction students demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the principles of the activities, participated safely and responsibly, recognised and applied mechanical principles to safe and effective movement in the activities and demonstrated an understanding of principles of training and fitness applied to the activities. In addition, students learnt to appreciate issues related to activities in such environments, including safety and emergency, access, and environmental impacts.

Students also attended a series of theoretically based evening lectures related to the activities covered and gained National Governing Body coaching and performance awards in the process.

The trip was organised and facilitated by Dr Gary Stidder, Principal Lecturer at the School of Sport and Service Management who said: “Experiences of this nature in the natural environment provide students with unique opportunities to develop their subject knowledge and to prepare them for their future careers.”