Outdoor Education Course

humag

Any news or views on this?

Mickeroo

I do that course and enjoy it a lot. Not for everyone though, lots drop out in first year. Only one day a week of activities,rest is lectures. There's other courses such as Shackleton that would have more activity days.

humag

Whats the drop out rate from first year? Is it the focus on the academic side? Do most people enjoy the overall approach from course structure?

Cheers,

Humag

Mickeroo

I'm just starting third year and there is about 22 in my class,at the start of first year there was about 60. Most of us enjoy the over all approach yea, you have to have one land based and one water based instructorship by the end of third year. There's a good balance between the practical and academic side i think, the quality of the instructors who train us is pretty high, because there's only one activity day a week you're encouraged to get involved in the clubs and do the activities in your own time aswell, the course is set up so you have plenty of free time on your hands to do this. In 2nd and 3rd year there's quite a lot of swimming too.

Rossgodiving

I have had some past experiences with kayaking, bungee jumping, scubadiving etc.. but im not currently active in any of them at the moment so im a bit rusty. would this course bring me up to speed or do i need some qualifications?

Mickeroo

Qualifications would make it easier, but I was a complete novice at a fair few of the sports, hell I couldn't even swim 2 years ago and I've done just fine. 1st year is very much geared towards complete beginners,you'd be grand.

Rossgodiving

Do i need my own equipment or anything else. ( i know i should look it up properly but it be nice to ask someone who has done the course)

Mickeroo

No worries The college have loads of equipment you can use, but you would need your own walking boots and gear(rucsack,outerwear etc), theres wetsuits in the college but i would advise getting your own, as for kayaks,climbing rack,surfboards etc the college has all that. Any gear in particular you were wondering about?

Rossgodiving

i think u got everything i was wodnering about right there. what are the hours like?

Mickeroo

Last year we had one long day of lectures on the monday(9-6), then activities on tuesday, also a full day. Then it was only 2 or 3 hours a day wednsday thursday friday. plenty of time for surfin etc 1st year was a similar set up, one long day, one activity day and three short days.

Rossgodiving

Sounds good getting all excited! but looks like ill be movin out

Mickeroo

You starting this year?

Rossgodiving

ya got offered the course this year it wasnt my first choice but i was really intrested in it, only thing that put me off was the fact that it was in castlebar :P

Mickeroo

Couldn't blame ya there, its a bit of a kip