Skills Guideline
Scope of practice, technical skills, safety standards, environmental considerations and assessment criteria.
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Scope · skills · assessment
Technical Competency Framework.
A national reference point for the minimum technical skills, training content and accreditation requirements across recognised adventure activities.
One activity, three connected documents
Every activity profile is designed to give practitioners, training providers and assessors a complete technical reference set.
Curriculum
The learning content, practical development and supervised experience needed to build competence.
Accreditation Requirements
Requirements for providers, instructors, assessors, evidence, quality assurance and renewal.
Framework in development:
SA AIA is publishing profiles for more than 100 activities. Documents will be added here as they are approved. Resources are free to download and do not require checkout.
Mountaineering 6 ACTIVITIES
Technical custodian: Mountaineering Working Group
Mountain Walking
PROFILE AVAILABLE
Abseiling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Single Pitch Rock Climbing
IN DEVELOPMENT
Multi Pitch Rock Climbing
IN DEVELOPMENT
Canyoning
IN DEVELOPMENT
Caving / Spelunking — non-roped
IN DEVELOPMENT
Aerial non-flight 11 ACTIVITIES
Technical custodian: Aerial Activities Working Group
Ziplining
IN DEVELOPMENT
King Swing
IN DEVELOPMENT
Artificial Abseiling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Rope Swings
IN DEVELOPMENT
Free Fall Devices
IN DEVELOPMENT
Sky Towers / Drop Towers
IN DEVELOPMENT
Tree Canopy Tours
IN DEVELOPMENT
High Wire Solo Traverse
IN DEVELOPMENT
QuickFlight / Airbag Jumps
IN DEVELOPMENT
Auto-belay Aerial Jump Systems
IN DEVELOPMENT
High Ropes
IN DEVELOPMENT
Wheel-based 9 ACTIVITIES
Technical custodians: Off-Road & Overlanding Chapter and relevant activity working groups
Mountain Biking
IN DEVELOPMENT
Road Cycling
IN DEVELOPMENT
E-bike Guided Tours
IN DEVELOPMENT
Urban Cycling Tours
IN DEVELOPMENT
Quad Biking and Side-By-Sides
3 DOCUMENTS
Adventure Motorcycles
3 DOCUMENTS
Off-Road Scooters
IN DEVELOPMENT
Four-Wheel Drive — 4×4
3 DOCUMENTS
Overlanding Trucks
IN DEVELOPMENT
Water-based 17 ACTIVITIES
Technical custodian: Water Safety Chapter and relevant water-activity working groups
Flatwater Kayaking
IN DEVELOPMENT
Whitewater Kayaking
IN DEVELOPMENT
Sea / Ocean Kayaking
IN DEVELOPMENT
Whitewater Rafting
IN DEVELOPMENT
Canoeing
IN DEVELOPMENT
River Tubing / Geckoing
IN DEVELOPMENT
Flatwater Paddling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Whitewater Paddling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Sea / Ocean Paddling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Sit-on-top Paddling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Stand-up Paddle Boarding
IN DEVELOPMENT
Swimming
IN DEVELOPMENT
Snorkelling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Raft Building
IN DEVELOPMENT
Swift Water / Rescue Training
IN DEVELOPMENT
Adventure Fishing Skills and Safety
IN DEVELOPMENT
E-foiling
IN DEVELOPMENT
Other and mixed activities 15 ACTIVITY GROUPS
Technical custodians: ABL/LOTC, specialist and activity-specific working groups
Archery
IN DEVELOPMENT
Paintball, Airsoft and Laser Tag
IN DEVELOPMENT
Axe / Knife Throwing and Slingshot
IN DEVELOPMENT
Low Ropes / Ground-based Obstacles
IN DEVELOPMENT
Orienteering / Adventure Racing
IN DEVELOPMENT
Scavenger Hunts / Puzzle Trails
IN DEVELOPMENT
Trust Games & Team Challenges
IN DEVELOPMENT
Blindfold Navigation Tasks
IN DEVELOPMENT
Sensory & Reflection Activities
IN DEVELOPMENT
Problem-Solving Initiatives
IN DEVELOPMENT
Meta-skills — empathy and communication
IN DEVELOPMENT
Horseback Trail Riding and Horse-Packing
IN DEVELOPMENT
Bouldering Walls
IN DEVELOPMENT
Escape Rooms
IN DEVELOPMENT
Virtual-Physical Hybrid Adventures
IN DEVELOPMENT
General guidance for training and assessment ALL ACTIVITIES
General Guidelines for Training and Assessment of Skills for Adventure Guides
VERSION 1 · PDF
- Training must be context-specific and combine practical instruction, scenarios and supervised application.
- Trainees operate under an appropriately competent supervisor until competence is demonstrated.
- Assessment must be conducted by suitable assessors, documented and retained for review.
- Risk assessment, professional ethics, participant needs and environmental impact apply across every activity.