Outdoor Instructor Training Course

Kick start your career of adventure with Kepp Adventure's Outdoor Instructor Training Course.

Based in the Lake District, Kepplewray offers day and residential outdoor activities in The Lake District National Park using the nearby lakes and fells.

Whether you're starting a new career, seeking professional growth, or navigating midlife shifts, Kepplewray outdoor instructor training offers real adventure, real progression and real results.

Qualifications and Experience Gained...

NGB certificates gained:

BC Paddlesport safety and rescue *
BC Paddlesport Instructor *
BC Paddleability *
BC Paddlesport Leader training
BC Start *
BC Discover
BC Canoe Award *
BC sheltered water?
MT, CWI training , Abseil module
MT, CWI assessment ,
MT, HML training
MT, HML assessment
RYA Pb 2 *
RYA Dinghy L2*
L2 food safety and hygiene
L3 Safeguarding
BASP ski patrol 16hr first aid
Archery GB Instructor
Core coach

Uncertified Training Gained:

Expedition training
CV writing
Guidance and advice on applying for roles in centres
Learning to lead climbing facilitating pre-requisites for RCI trg
Training towards RYA seamanship skills
Expedition and Residential training in other areas likely Scotland and Peak District, though possibly Dartmoor or Wales. Weather depending, Gaining logbook.
Knowledge and experience in different water hazards and risk assessing, sea, rivers and lakes
Wide variety of Gorge walking and Ghyll scrambling experience
Scrambling
Encouraging a sense of fun and play through the activities

Pre Requisites:

Some hill walking experience (log book)
Register with the schemes online MT
Have paddled a craft
Preferably done an outdoor or sport college course
Useful to be able to drive

Meet the Team...

With many years in the Outdoor Industry, Johan will be leading the course and providing most of the guidance and ably assisted by our instructor team.

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Activity Manager - The Kepplewray Trust

Johan Hoving

Experience and Enthusiasm for future outdoor instructors...

30 years experience as a full time Outdoor Pursuits Instructor, Technical expert for all the activities delivered on the course. Trained and employed instructors for the past 20 years. Ran a successful outdoor centre called River Deep Mountain High based from a converted primary school for 20 years. Worked with all customer types from schools to pensioners, Red Arrows pilots to Tescos Regional Managers, Barclays Bank through to Scouts and everything in between, all manner and types of ability and age, both at home and abroad. Canoe’d round Ireland last year to raise money for Kepplewray setting a world record as the first to do so in an open canoe.

Working with University of Cumbria as an external advisor on developing their outdoor degree programme.

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Activity Instructor - The Kepplewray Trust

Alice Webb

Youth and calm competence...

A recently qualified, enthusiastic Instructor working full time for Kepplewray and alongside Johan for this course, can give insights to the current courses and how they are as she has recently done them and be an inspiration to trainees as to what is possible and also quite a contrast in character, approach and age to Johan helping variety.

Knows centre and lives in area and can advise on many things Kepplewray and local area.

Activity Instructor - The Kepplewray Trust

Ben Ensoll

Ben has a wealth of experience which he will share with you on the course.

Testimonials...

Mark

When Johan asked me to provide a testimonial I was more than happy to provide one. 14 years on from participating on the Riverdeep course, I can honestly say that not only was it one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, but it has absolutely shaped my life and I wouldn't be the person I am today were it not for Johan and the course he provided.

Sadly I'm not an outdoor instructor anymore, but I did go on to secure a job at Mill On The Brue activity centre for 2 years after Johan's course and was even promoted to a senior instructor on my second season. This was largely down to the rapport I was able to build up with my groups, thanks in no small part to Johan and his ability to imprint not only the hard skills but also the soft skills upon me during the course. I won't lie and say that there weren't tough times on the course. More than once I was way beyond my comfort zone, but I started to be able to view what were the testing days on the course as the best of days.

Key Information...

Dates:

First term, from 12/10/2026 till a winter break starting 7/12/2026 (8 weeks)
Second term, from 18/1/2027 till 2/4/2027 (11 weeks)

Costs:

£10,000 per person (this includes food and accomodation during the course

Residential Accomodation Included:

Accomodation includes full bed and board during both terms of the course in the Kepplewray Centre,

GET MORE INFORMATION...

Phone

01229 716936

training@kepplewray.org.uk

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