Gwilym Starks has been working in the outdoors for over 25 years and became a full time outdoor professional in 2007 after leaving the Police Force.
He was Head of Outdoor Education at an Independent School for 3 years and has taught on Outdoor Education and Public Services courses at both FE and HE levels. Gwilym still has involvement with a number of local schools and colleges as a Technical Advisor for their Outdoor Education programmes.
As well as providing training to novices, Gwilym regularly directs instructor training courses and has mentored a number of instructors through their consolidation periods, preparing them for not only assessment but working in the outdoors
Although normally based in the South West, Gwilym moves up to the Scottish Highlands in Winter and spends the Summer leading overseas expeditions to Africa, South America or Malaysia.
As a passionate motorcyclist, he has recently ridden his motorcycle to all the mainland EU countries (and a few additional non EU ones)
Gwilym has qualifications in climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, canoeing, diving and mountain biking as well as having a vast range of qualifications in Education and Training, Lifeguarding and First Aid.
Current roles being undertaken during 2024
Advisor to and National Trainer/Assessor for The Royal Lifesaving Society
Course Director for a range of Mountain Training Qualifications
Director at Wet and High Adventures Ltd and Wet and High Consultancy Ltd
Technical Expert/Advisor to 3 schools, 2 colleges and an Overseas Expedition Company
Qualifications
British Canoeing - Canoe / Kayak Coach - Open Canoe Leader (4*) - Sea Kayak Coach (4*+MWE) - SUP Endorsement - White Water Coach (4*+MWE)
British Cycling- Trail Cycle Leader
DofE- Accredited Assessor (Bronze, Silver & Gold)
Education and Training - Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems - Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity - Level 2 Certificate in Improving Personal Exercise, Health and Nutrition - Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent - Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) - Level 4 Certificate of Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) - Level 4 Certificate in Leading Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) - Level 4 Award in Understanding External Quality Assurance (EQA)
Provider/Director for: - Level 2 Safeguarding - Level 3 Assessing Qualifications - Level 3 Award in Education and Training - Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training - Level 4 Certificate in Internal Quality Assurance
First Aid - First Aid at Work - First Aid at Work Trainer/Assessor - ITC Advanced Outdoor First Aid
Provider of: - Emergency First Aid at Work - First Aid at Work - Outdoor First Aid
Mountain Training - Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (previously MIA) - Rock Climbing Instructor (previously SPA) - Summer Mountain Leader - Winter Mountain Leader - Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (previously MIC)
Provider/Director for: - Camping - Hill and Moorland Leader - Hill and Mountain Skills - Indoor Climbing Assistant - Lowland Leader - Mountain Leader - Rock Climbing Instructor - Rock Skills (Intro, Intermediate & Learn to Lead)
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) - Advanced Open Water - Deep Diver - Divemaster - Drysuit Diver - Enriched Air Diver - Rescue Diver - Self Reliant Diver - Shark Conservation Diver
Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) - National Water Safety Management Programme - National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification - National Trainer/Assessor (all disciplines)
Provider of: - AED, PXB, NRASTC, Open Water Lifeguard - Emergency First Aid at Work - First Aid at Work - National Pool Lifeguard Qualification - National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification, National Water Safety Mangement Programme - All Trainer / Assessor Courses
Royal Yachting Association (RYA) - Level 2 Dinghy & Seamanship - Level 2 Powerboat/Safety Boat - Sea Survival - VHF/DSC Certificate - Yachtmaster Shore-based