What is Coasteering?

What do you do in coasteering?

Coasteering is all about exploring the coastline at sea level. Coasteering allows you to discover Natures playground and provides a natural obstacle course. You will climb over rocks, clamber through gullies, and to jump into the sea. The routes takes you on a tour of the coastal impact zone to where the sea meets the land. There is no skill in this activity, just thrill and it’s the watersports activity of choice for the adventurer.

Swimming through gullies
Climbing over rocks
Jumping into sea

What is the aim of Coasteering?

The aim of Coasteering is to see and experience the coast from a unique perspective. Creating a feeling of escapism and adventure. Coasteer routes go along an ever-changing, tidal and rocky terrain, giving the atmosphere of perceived risk and creating adrenalin. The combination of climbing on rocks, jumping from heights and swimming in the sea makes this activity a multi sensory stimulus.

Escapism
Adrenalin
Atmosphere

What do you need for coasteering?

Coasteering is a physically demanding activity, so a basic level of fitness is needed to get the most out of the rocky and coastal terrain the activity takes place along. Equipment needed for safety and practicality is a winter thick wetsuit for warmth, a buoyancy aid for flotation and a helmet to protect. Not to mention a sense of adventure and a want to explore.

Fitness
Equipment
Sense of adventure

Can you go coasteering by yourself?

Coasteering is a safe activity to do with an experienced guide that has local knowledge of the route, coastal area, and is a member of the National Coasteering Charter. Due to differing tides, changing currents, quick moving swells and the rocky terrain, Coasteering can be a challenging and dangerous activity for the unaccompanied and inexperienced person.

Experienced guide

National Coasteering Charter
Danger to the unaccompanied

Why is Coasteering called Coasteering?

The name Coasteering comes from the objective of orienteering around the coast. Therefore combining the words Coast and Orienteering. Unlike the standard orienteering activity with maps and a compass, Coasteering is undertaken from local knowledge of the tides and coastal terrain. The map is well studied, practiced and in the guides head, memorising every rock, jump, exit point and limpet.

Coast
Orienteering
Coasteering

Who invented Coasteering?

The name Coasteering came about in the 1970’s when a group of coastal sea cliff climbers set themselves the challenge of traversing along the cliffs instead of the traditional ascending. By the 1990’s the word Coasteering was adopted for a more aquatic way of traversing around the coastline and the waters edge. The main difference between the two activities with the same name is, one would aim to stay dry and use ropes, while the newer version is all about getting wet and no ropes.

Cliff Climbing
Traversing
Aquatic activity

Do you need to be able to swim for Coasteering?

You do not need to be a good swimmer to participate in Coasteering, however it helps. The main necessity for those wanting to Coasteer is to be water confident and happy in the sea. If being in the sea will cause anxiety and worry for the participant, then Coasteering is not a suitable activity choice. Whilst moving through the water is part of the activity, a buoyancy aid will keep you afloat and then any stroke you are able to make will move you through the water.

Happy in the Sea
Water confident
Not a good swimmer

How long has Coasteering been a sport?

Whilst Coasteering has been around since the 1970’s in two different forms, it is the 1990’s version of the activity which as grown in popularity since the early 2000’s. Pre 2000 the activity was referred to as Rock Hopping by some North Devon providers and would be undertaken with groups when the surf was flat. Since this time, Coasteering has established itself to become an activity in its own right.

Started in the 1990’s
Established 2000
Grown in popularity

Can you do Coasteering in the rain?

Coasteering is predominantly a watersport and is carried out wearing a wetsuit. This helps with warmth in the sea and protection from the wind. Rain will not stop play or dampen spirits and the sea always seems to feel warmer when it is raining. Taking on the natural elements gives a sense of adventure and a real feeling of accomplishment.