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H5 Adventure – Member Profile
Our Member profiles focus on individual Members and what they offer. We cover a wide variety of activity providers from various sectors and as our Membership continues to grow this gives us an opportunity to learn from each other, and share ideas especially in a landscape where diversifying the offering is vital to ensure survival. We caught up with Paul Webb from H5 Adve
nture who told us what’s happening in their world.
What do you/your organisation do?
H5 Adventure deliver outdoor activities to the Education Sector, Groups & Corporates. All across the south of England & Wales, from Dartmoor, to The Brecon Beacons, the M4 Corridor The peak District and as far East to London and it’s surrounding area. We offer Team building Days, Multi Activity Residentials and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions and have over 30 years of experience in the sector, drawn from the Charity, Local Educational Authority and Commercial Sectors
How long have you been an AIM Member?
We have been an AIM Member since 2013 and fully appreciate the support they have offered throughout the years. AIM offer support and guidance with a variety of aspects of our business. We enjoy attending their annual conference and learning from guest speakers on these events too.
What’s the best part of your job?
One of the best parts of our job is successfully delivering outdoor activities to all of our clients. Seeing how young people develop when working with us on courses. Especially when delivering The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and how teams of young people develop over an expedition.
What issues do you think the industry faces this year?
We feel you always have to be willing to adapt in business and that was notable with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions adapting the expeditions, we also adapt our programs so we could deliver Residential in School grounds. We feel with the lack of growth and downturn in the economy there is likely to be less customers in the near future, so diversifying or increasing your client base is likely to be a challenge
What exciting projects do you have lined up for the future?
From 2022 we have created 2 new Full-time roles within our office team who are Client Managers and oversea a variety of admin roles within the business too. We are really excited to see how these positions grow over the coming years and how it will help us deliver a better-quality product to all of our clients. We will also be developing our venue, The Lake, a 33-acre site set in rural countryside, around a stunningly landscaped lake, yet just 10 minutes out of suburbia and the M4.
What’s your favourite activity and is there anything on your bucket list for 2023?
It’s simply, one that the client is enjoying themselves. That could be a 7-year-old, for the first time using a flint & steal, or one of SEN School groups trekking in the countryside, excited about seeing sheep, for the first time.
Thanks to Paul Webb from H5 Adventure for sharing his thoughts and support for the Mutual.
Valentines Proposal ideas for Outdoor Lovers
You’ve found the one. And as if they weren’t perfect enough already, they love the outdoors just as much as you do. If your ‘significant other’ loves to wake up at 5:00 AM for sunrise hikes, and will jump into any lake, river, or ocean regardless of how cold the water is – and convince you to jump in, too – then you need a proposal that’s going to fit your relationship.
At The Activities Industry Mutual we understand that bearing your soul and going out on a limb to ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you can be a daunting prospect! But for all the adventurers among you, we want to help spark your inspiration for your outdoor, adventurous, and nature-filled proposal. So, here’s the scoop on everything you need to know; from the best time of day to pop the question outdoors, to actually getting down on one knee!
If you don’t want to take a big risk when you pop the questions maybe think about a romantic hike and a picnic instead.
Canyoning Proposal
Activities Industry Mutual Members, Adventure Britain, helped adventure loving Dan propose and caught it all on camera for us to enjoy.
https://www.adventurebritain.com/one-unusual-places-world-propose-marriage/
Paddleboarding & Kayaking Proposal
If you and your loved one have an affinity for the ocean, then a kayak or paddleboard proposal may be perfect for you.
- Why not surprise your other half by making your way to a beach or island together, and arrange for flowers, rocks, or seashells to spell out the all-important question when you reach your destination – “Will you marry me?”
- Worried about transporting the ring across the water? Place it in the kayak hatch ahead of time and during a break, ask your partner to grab you some water from the hatch. Surprise!
- Get your friends and family involved – organise for your partner to go out on the water with their nearest and dearest, and surprise them by paddling out to their location for the grand event
When To Propose?
Do: Sunrise and sunset are the most beautiful times on the water. Not only is the sky gorgeous, but the water is often calm. Sunrise has the best chance of glass-like conditions!
Avoid: Midday – There is often boat traffic and strong winds or low tide which just makes for a longer walk to the water
Advice: Be flexible! The weather has a lot to do with the proposal. A windy/choppy day would not be ideal, especially if the ring is going to be on board the kayak or paddleboard.
Rock Climbing Proposal
“Imagine you’re reaching for holds above your he
ad, unable to see the ledge until you reach up and grab it, and instead of an empty hold, you grab a ring!”
If your significant other enjoys pushing themselves to the limits, likes trying new things, and is athletic, but you want an outdoorsy proposal that doesn’t depend on the weather, a proposal with climbing involved may be exactly what you are looking for.
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This proposal is recommended if climbing is already a part of your life. For a lot of climbers, it’s an addictive sport that becomes a passion, so it makes sense to propose in a place that is a big part of your lives.
What if this is your first time climbing?
The experts do not recommend this proposal method if you are a beginner! “Climbing is not just physical activity, it is a mental exercise, so it might be overwhelming for you and your partner if it is your first time”.
Creative Proposal Ideas:
- Before you get there, arrange to have the staff put the ring in a hold halfway up a route. Guide your significant other up the route and at the opportune moment, take the ring from the hold and propose while climbing!
- Or why not lead your partner to the correct hold so that they reach up and find the ring themselves?
- A popular first date is climbing. Try to recreate the same climb or same events from the first date for the proposal.
- Invite your friends and supporters to secretly come and surprise your partner and celebrate with you.
Do: If you want a crowd cheering you on after you propose, then a weekend or weekday evening is perfect. But, if you want a more intimate setting, then any weekday before 5, especially in the morning, is when you want to pop the question.
Avoid: Any climb that is too difficult! If he/she doesn’t get up to that point, they might not find the ring – or they may get frustrated from the difficulty, which would ruin the mood of the moment
Make Your Proposal Unique:
“Get your local climbing wall to help put the ring in a particular place at a certain time or reserve a particular climb for you and completely manage the process to make sure that it is perfect.”
Credit: Facebook, Bryan Rafferty Photography
Tree-To-Tree Adventure Climbing Proposal
Treetop courses can vary in degrees of difficulty, but pretty much anybody who’s adventurous can find a route that’s appropriate for their comfort level.
Creative Proposal Ideas:
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced
“Each course has about 15-18 treetop rest stops between the obstacles in which to pop the question…There’s just enough room for someone to get down on their knee on the treetop platforms!”
When To Propose?
Challenge your partner to a ‘race.’ When engulfed in the spirit of competition, get down on one knee and propose – they’ll never see it coming! …Don’t worry!
Special twilight climbing hours in the summer provide the perfect time of day to pop the question and then head to a fancy restaurant for dinner.
Do: Any time is ideal. Want privacy? Any weekday, especially in the morning. Like the lime light? Plan for a weekend proposal.
Avoid: Any day that might rain!
A Mountain Top Moment 
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced
Creative Proposal Ideas:
- As long as you and your loved one are fit and healthy you should be able to make it up the mountain. Make sure you plan your route, have all the relevant equipment, clothing and supplies you need- oh and don’t forget the ring!
- Take your other half on an adventure up a mountain with a fabulous view at sunset. With the adrenaline from the climb and the sense of achievement once you both reach the top, take a moment to relax, take in the view and tell your other half how fabulous life is with them. Finish your speech by popping the question!
When To Propose?
- Sun rise and sun set are beautifully romantic times to pop the question, especially with an amazing view.
- Have Champagne and a bubble bath with candles waiting at home so that you can both refresh after your adventure!
When To Propose?
Do: Any time is ideal.
We hope you’ve been inspired by some of our romantic suggestions.
Good Luck!
AIM On Target Newsletter – January 2023
We are pleased to share the latest edition of our On Target Newsletter for 2023 packed with articles from the outdoor sector and providing updates on the Mutual, our supporting insurer QBE and Thomas Miller. There is a legal update from our colleagues at Ince and we profile two fabulous Members Ourea Events and RAW Adventures & RAW Expeditions.
So do grab a cuppa and dive in we hope you enjoy it.
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Auto Belay Update
It appears that there has been a notable increase of near miss reports involving auto belays over the past few weeks. There has also been a small and concentrated number of serious (lifechanging) accidents, involving unattached climbers hitting the floor because of not being attached to an auto belay unit – when the climber’s intention was to be connected.
We wanted to remind our AIM Members who have Climbing Walls of the current ABC auto belay guidance notes, along with the potential implications of not being aware of them, and the dangers of failing to follow these as much as is practically possible. From a claims defensibility aspect, if the industry is aware of the issue of climbers climbing unclipped, it is imperative that they take action to prevent this issue and any risk of accidents.
PHYSICAL BARRIER (E.G. FLAG)
Joby Maw Davis, Technical Advisor advises the following:-
“It’s a fundamental fact that we all should be aware of, that if climbers are able to easily get onto the climbing surface and its holds without disruption, there is a higher likelihood of them being able to climb without attaching to the auto belay connector. We have a duty of care two-fold here. Firstly, to ensure that the belay gates are sufficiently large to reduce this variable as much as is possible. Secondly, for the route setters – to ensure that starting holds are as much as practically possible, masked behind the gates. There should also be consideration of how the setting is quality checked in your facility too.
If there is a very busy period of use on your auto belays, when multiple lines are in use at the same time – consideration should be given to how this is monitored to manage unattached climbers where belay gates are all down.”
Credit: Joby Maw Davis, Technical Advisor
STAFF TRAINING
Staff training is key. The use of auto belays and dealing with issues that may arise whilst using them is not covered in detail in any NGB Climbing award. Therefore, it falls to the walls to ensure that they are acting responsibily in seeking to stamp out any instances of unclipped climbing, and if this is seen, that immediate action is taken to avoid an accident. As well as operations and rescue plans, floor walking is a key control measure when identifying undesirable practices. It is recommended that staff observe users making repeated use of the units and actively engage customers with a friendly reminder of the consequences of a lapse in attention. The more likely profile of users getting into difficulty is the more experienced user category, often climbing alone. All staff, especially those on reception, have a key role to play in reminding users to clip in.
Protected: Global Butterflies LGBTQI+ Session
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AIM Message from our Chairman – AIM has new Management Company
Dear Member
You may recall that I wrote to you all in July to advise that AIM would be moving from Regis Mutual Management Ltd to a new home with Thomas Miller. I am delighted to confirm that this move has now taken place, and I wanted to reassure you all that as far as Members are concerned, you should not notice any difference at all in the service you receive from the AIM Team, nor any changes to the way your renewals are handled.
All covers and the great level of service the AIM team provides will remain the same and we are still firmly backed by QBE as the Mutual’s Supporting Insurer.
The core team remain the same, headed up by Sophia and assisted by Ralph; Cathy continues in Marketing, with Liz, Brad, Amy and Mark handling your renewals and cover enquiries. Ben remains in Claims and can be contacted should that need arise.
Email addresses for the team have changed to “first name.last [email protected]” but the team will be contacting you as usual when it comes to time to renew your covers. This is an exciting new chapter for the Mutual and the team. Rest assured that AIM remains strong and firmly committed to its Members.
You can still email [email protected] if you have any general queries.
Thank you
Bob Edwards
Chairman of AIM
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