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White Water Workshops 2013 / 2014 on the Dee, Usk and Wye
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BOPA aims to further the professional standing of all who work in the outdoor leisure industry and to encourage professionalism in providing the best training in outdoor activities of all kinds.
The British Outdoor Professional's Association (BOPA) is a not-for-profit member association for those persons involved in outdoor sporting activities such as canoeing, horse-riding, caving, archery etc. It provides its members with services such as information on employment opportunities, professional insurance advice. as well as training and development. It can offer assessment services for the professional qualifications required to instruct a variety of outdoor activities and generally uses registered members to provide such assessments.
BOPA was founded in 1994 by four activity instructors who felt there was a void in the market for an association to look after the interests of individuals such as themselves. The association acts very much like a trade union for outdoor professionals. Today there are 750 members, including trainees (who pay a reduced annual subscription), full instructors as well as employees of businesses which pay corporate membership fees. Around 25% of the membership is from within Wales and the rest come from all over the UK.
BOPA recognises, respects and works in conjunction and co-operation with governing Bodies. BOPA fills gaps where no such governing bodies exist and provides central communication for outdoor safety training and assessment.
Chris Charters (pictured), who originally joined as a member in 1996 when he was running a hotel, was a professional canoeing instructor. After he retired in 1998, he was asked to become the General Secretary of the association.
BOPA - Encouraging professionalism in Outdoor Activities
