UKCA Affiliated Centres  Become a UK Canyoning Association affiliated centre. Show your customers you uphold the highest standard in canyoning and training when it comes to safety, equipment and provision. As canyoning is growing as an activity throughout the UK and internationally more people are wanting to experience canyoning. There are many activity providers that deliver canyoning throughout the UK but there has previously been no way of finding out the standard of the canyoning provider. These standards include qualifications, location, equipment, canyons, staff, quality of provision, insurance and much more..  The UKCA is dedicated to standards, development and certification. 
Become a UKCA centre
There are two types of UKCA centres; Canyoning Centres (CC) and Training Centres (TC) Canyoning Centre (CC) - is an affiliated centre where canyoning experiences are being delivered. A canyoning centre will have (as a minimum) a UKCA Level 1 Guide employed to deliver trips. They will uphold the requirements of a UKCA canyoning centre. If they have a Canyoning Instructor (CI) present they can deliver the Introduction to canyoning course.   Training Centre (TC) -  is an affiliated canyoning centre where training courses and assessments can be facilitated and delivered by inhouse or external trainers. A training centre will have as a minimum a Level 2 Guide employed to deliver trips. A training centre should also cover the requirements for a Canyoning centre.  A UKCA Trainer does not need to be full time employed by the TC. Standards are in place to ensure that structure, credibility and safety are maintained and adhered to. This is to protect the UKCA members, the public, professionals, centres and trainers. 

Requirements

These are the minimum requirements an affiliated centre must meet in order to hold and maintain their affiliation with the UKCA.

Canyoning Centre (CC) requirements

  1. Have at least 1 full time UKCA Level 1 Guide (or above) employed
  2. Have at least 2 canyons rated V2A2ii within 30km of their centre. Canyons should be appropriately bolted/equipped to UKCA standard.
  3. Have a well maintained centre or vehicle to meet and welcome customers.
  4. Hold public liability insurance for canyoning activities. 
  5. Hold employers liability insurance for any staff/guides.
  6. Provide quality wetsuits and PPE to customers to meet UKCA standards. 
  7. Provide canyoning descenders.
  8. Display UKCA promotional material and signage (provided in centre pack)
A Canyoning Centres objective is to: 
  • Be a role-model centre for canyoning tours and experiences.
  • Maintain the highest possible standards of safety and quality in canyoning.
  • Contribute to the economical and professional development of canyoning.
  • Support the development and maintenance of existing and new canyons. 
  • Market the UKCA standards and promote the UKCA courses to customers.
  • Support the development of recreational and professional canyoneers.
  • Offer shadowing opportunities for aspirant guides and instructors.

Training Centre (TC) requirements

  1. Have at least 1 full time UKCA Level 2 Guide (or above)
  2. Have a centre and a meeting area to welcome customers and students.
  3. Hold professional indemnity insurance to cover canyoning training.
  4. Hold Public Liability Insurance. 
  5. Hold employers liability insurance for employees
  6. Have UKCA company membership.
  7. Provide certification on validation after training courses.
  8. Provide quality wetsuits and PPE to customers to meet UKCA standards. 
  9. Have at least 2 canyons V3A3ii (minimum) within 30km from the centre. These canyons should be appropriately bolted to the UKCA bolting standard. 
  10. Have a training canyon/cliff/wall where students can train. A training canyon should be equipped with multiple anchor stations and be easily accessible with limited water flow. 
  11. Have technical equipment for a minimum of 6 students including shoes.
  12. Hold and maintain quality technical equipment. 
  13. Have an indoor classroom equipped with a projector or TV chairs and tables.
  14. Display UKCA promotional material and signage  (provided in centre pack)
A Training Centres objective is to: 
  • Be a role-model centre for canyoning tours, teaching and training.
  • Uphold the highest possible standards of safety and quality in canyoning.
  • Provide the highest standard recreational and professional training courses.
  • Contribute to the economica, recreational and professional development of canyoning.
  • Support the development and maintenance of existing and new canyons. 
  • Market the standards and promote the UKCA.
  • Support the development of recreational and professional canyoneers.
  • Offer shadowing opportunities for aspirant guides and instructors.

Benefits for Affiliating your Centre

There are many benefits in becoming an affiliated CC or TC with the UKCA: Be affiliated with the only accredited UK Canyoning Association. Use and display the UKCA logos and centre affiliation badge in your centre, shop, website and marketing materials. Stand out from your competitors by showing you have met the highest quality standards for canyoning provision in the UK. Have a recognisable quality label for your clients that guarantees professionalism.  Take advantage of bulk equipment orders and discounts. Show that your Guides/Instructors are experienced and appropriately qualified. Receive a centre pack each year with signage and marketing materials including:
  • Stickers
  • Posters
  • CC or TC yearly logo
  • Course Advertisement Cards
  • Window logo sticker
  • 2 UKCA T-shirts
Use the ‘job opportunities’ section on the UKCA website to advertise for staff.  Get presence on the UKCA website as an affiliated CC orTC centre. Get social media exposure through the UKCA social media channels. 

Affiliation Process 

Step 1. Meet the requirements for a CC or TC. Step 2. Fill in the online application form www.ukcanyoning.org Step 3. Application will be reviewed by the UKCA team. Step 4. Send through any additional supporting documents/pictures requested. Step 5. Pay affiliated centre fee. Step 6. Receive your centre pack and logo.

Affiliation Yearly Prices

  • UKCA Canyoning Centre (CC) - £140
  • UKCA Training Centre (TC) - £220

Affiliate Application Form

Become a UKCA centre