At school I wanted to be outside and running around more than being in the classroom. My PE teacher ran a kayaking club which I got involved with and I found I was pretty good and really enjoyed it.
On leaving school I wanted to pursue a career where I could use my outdoor skills. I built up my qualifications and experience and have been working in the industry ever since. Starting when I was 17 years old and now in my mid 40's, that's way over 25 years and I can happily say it feels like I have never done a true days work.
The outdoor industry can take you off to some very special places so its hard to pin point the ‘greatest’. I’ve worked as an instructor and led expeditions across the world from Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. But India has to be the greatest and most crazy and inspiring place I have visited.
I had the pleasure of canoeing for a month down the Ganges, India's holy river. Every day held something new to explore and see. After the month we paddled in to Varanasi at sunrise, the holiest city in India. The trip was truly humbling with so many life changing experiences and will stay with me forever.
Dry bags and stuff sacks - its possibly bordering on obsession.
Life can be uncomfortable enough sometimes when working outdoors. By organising my kit in to different coloured bags I know where everything is, should I need it. I also know it will be dry at the end of the day, regardless of the weather. I try to make life as easy as possible for myself.
Search our knowledgebase. Helping you be prepared for your DofE expedition or Challenge Event.
Hear from Alex, our DofE manager, on how the DofE journey could help support young people with their mental health. We see the firsthand positive impact of providing young people with outdoor experiences in the framework of DofE expeditions. With the rise of major depression in teens, the search for the source and solution are hot debate. And rightly so.
The Adventure Element has come to the end of the Event and Expedition season for 2025 and reached a time of reflection: reviewing what we have achieved and what we wish to work towards. Over the past couple of years, we have made conscious decisions and adaptations to our events to help break down the barriers for women to enter, and we have been closely studying our stats to see if this has influenced any change.