Adventurous Activities Licensing Service

[mikem]

BCU may be in the process of sorting themselves out but they do have a revalidation scheme and they certainly used to (& may still) do inspections of centres...

Mike

 

[Stu]

Er, no. Since caving NGB awards (unlike climbing, for example) are subject to periodic revalidation* I wouldn't think it's necessary for any visit at all, providing the NGB award and online registration was sufficiently adequate to prove that you're up to speed on your subject of expertise.

Last reval I did checked whether I could go up and down a rope, bring another up and down said rope, then display some brute force when said person couldn't go up (or down). Not sure how that would robustly test my procedures as a business? Which of course I know isn't exactly what you said.

Put another way. Perhaps the time has come for NGB awards to actually be recognised and trusted (rather than pooh-poohed) as bona fides in their own right that they serve to show the public punter that someone has been taught and subsequently tested as to whether they know their craft. Isn't that what an NGB award is for after all?

Maybe they should; maybe it's all a bit too confusing and time consuming for a customer to check every detail before they embark on a trip with you. That's a lot of websites a school or group will have to check before they visit a centre for a multi activity holiday. Viewing AALA/AALS as a kind of ABTA seal of approval covers it in my mind. 

Thinking on what I've just written, two things spring to mind:

Cost most definitely is an issue and a good deal of talent is wasted. I don't know Chris but his enthusiasm is obvious.

How have I got to defending AALS?! :-D

 

[Stu]

BCU may be in the process of sorting themselves out but they do have a revalidation scheme and they certainly used to (& may still) do inspections of centres...

Mike

Mike, both RYA and BCU do do checks, and I stand to be corrected on this as it's been a while, but I think this was for centres or organisations who wished to be accredited delivery centres (and carry the flag - literally with the RYA) to be appointed as able to carry out courses etc.

Pretty sure a single operative with a fleet of canoes/dinghies wouldn't have to be accredited. However I was never in this situation so as I say, please correct if I'm wrong.

 

[mikem]

Tis a bit ridiculous that the school checks us out, as does the LEA for state schools, plus AALS, without bothering with the BCU & RYA inspection schemes (that very few are even aware of). Not up to date on RYA but anyone can pay for a BCU inspection, which if they pass they can use the BCU logo alongside their advertising - centre I worked for stopped doing them as wasn't worth the paper it was written on...

Mike

 

[r_walklate@hotmail.com]

Have you seen the new ' BCU approved centre'? I looked at it and then looked again and again. Its pretty full on now not just about someone looking at your boats and saying have the award. It now includes long term paddler development programme.

 

[Pitlamp]

This is getting really rather far off topic, but, Pitlamp, the reason that the staff work like that is that the politicians (increasingly so since 1980) insist on micro-managing the work of all public employees on the grounds of 'accountability.'

Having started that process, they unable to roll it back without poliotical opponents accusing them of all sorts.

It's all nonsense, but then that's politics, in this country at least.

(Sigh) - your right I'm afraid Graham - and it costs a fortune to administer. Thank goodness normal club caving doesn't have this guff inflicted on it. But it's something we all need to be wary of and ready to do what we can to stop if necessary.

 

[Gollum]

If all the adventure activities looked after themselves and policed it I think once you added all the costs for each separate governing body it wold probably be the same price.  I as a small one man band would have to not only spend a large amount of money but would have to jump through hoops for 3 - 4 different governing bodies who would all want different things and would take up my valuable time.

With AALA I know how much it's going to cost and I jump through the hoops once every three years. Within our area we have a realy good inspector who although is not a caver actually listens and makes good common sense judgments. I wish I could say the same for my dealings with the BCA, BCU & MLTB

 

[Les W]

Thank goodness normal club caving doesn't have this guff inflicted on it. But it's something we all need to be wary of and ready to do what we can to stop if necessary.

This is what the national body has been doing for many years, keeping government at arms length. It is one of the great successes, that people can just go caving. Most cavers don't even see the threats to their freedom but the NGB has managed to succesfuly head off quite a few...

 

[Pitlamp]

Agreed Les - and you have at least one caver here who is extremely grateful; THANK YOU.

 

[Burt]

So - AALA inspection today. All good.

I stand corrected - there is no pro rata refund.
AALA will continue in it's present state for 2-3 years according to my inspector.

I have asked for a different rate structure to be considered - at present I pay the same as PGL for instance, they would get a 1 year licence (before renewal) whereas I get a 2 year. I'd like the big boys to pay more, us minnows to pay less.

 

[langcliffe]

I'm glad I'm a normal caver.

Normal? Says who?

 

[Gollum]

I have asked for a different rate structure to be considered - at present I pay the same as PGL for instance, they would get a 1 year licence (before renewal) whereas I get a 2 year. I'd like the big boys to pay more, us minnows to pay less.

I'm very lucky and get a three year licence