12/02/2021
Mike Raine: Notes from the Hill has posted this review of Coaching Adventure Sports. He has also been running a really interesting webinar series through this lockdown, which is well worth heading to his page to see the various interviews he has done.
Don’t forget you can see some sample pages here: https://tinyurl.com/y4r9dgvw
You can order your copy here: https://tinyurl.com/yyujyb6w
OK, I’m going to be honest: I haven’t read this book, and I probably never will. If you, like me, find it a bit overwhelming, don’t be put off. You do not have to read it cover to cover. In fact, if you do read if from cover to cover you are probably going to be one of the worst practitioners in the outdoors! However, if you are a truly reflective practitioner then this book is for you (that should be all of you by the way!).
This isn’t a beginner’s book. If you are just starting out as a mountain leader or rock climbing instructor you will find much of it challenging. If, however you’ve been around for a while or you’ve got lofty ambitions then this should be a book for you, I’d argue essential for mountaineering instructors. Again, a bit of honesty here; this not a book of great revelations, “OMG that’s what I should be doing!” no, it’s a book of “Ah…. That why it works”. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said “You haven’t learnt something until you can do it, in different places with different people at different times” or, “telling people stuff isn’t teaching people stuff” this book explains why. It should get us talking more about the how and why we do things the way we do rather then what. I can reveal here that a perfect prussic cord should be 1.3 metres long and tied with a double fisherman’s knot, there move on!
What Paul and Daniel have done is pull together modern outdoor coaching theories, many of which are available to you but are spread around all over the place. They have then presented them for your delectation, and they have demonstrated application. The snippets of action, of lessons learned, and explanations within the context of outdoor situations will be invaluable for those on the journey to becoming an adventure sports coach. It might not stop you getting it wrong, but it might help you do things better next time.
There are relevant case studies about teaching, about how coaching works and about how coaching works in potentially hazardous environments. There is dissection of thought processes and study of the component part of good sessions.
You’ll find handy accessible theory explanations, handy acronyms, tick lists and sensible diagrams and an abundance of further references and information sources. There is excellent guidance on the process of teaching on questioning and really importantly on the review process, on action planning and structuring progressions.
There are more than two life times of practice in this book. Paul and Daniel have sought out and used the acknowledged experts in their fields to challenge ideas, to present ideas and to make sure that this book is the best handbook for outdoor coaches, regardless of disciple today. I want to thank Paul and Daniel and their fellow contributors for doing this. In doing so they have produced, what will become an invaluable handbook, to generations of people working it the outdoors.
You do not have to read it in one, but do not forget to dip into it, at least monthly…
Now, back to Stephen Moss and his Swallows...
