Who we are

British Canoeing – L5 Raft, L4 Kayak, L3 Canoe with 5*, SUP DSM provider, Child Protection

Mountain Training – SPA, ML, BELA

Mountain Biking – MIAS L2

Archery – GNAS

British Cave Association – L1 Cave

Rescue 3 – SRT and WRT Instructor

Royal Yachting Association – L2 and Safety boat

Management – IOSH Managing Safely, IOSH Managing fire safely in sports facilities, Higher diploma in adventurous activities. Diploma in Leisure and Tourism.

Michael J.R. Smith is the General Manager of Parkwood Outdoors, Dolygaer in South Wales. He has been a member of British Canoe for twenty years and has spent most of that time working in the outdoors leisure industry and travelling, – usually simultaneously.

He has worked in several countries and boated on five continents, from Argentina to New Zealand, including trips on the Zambezi in Africa and the Bohti Koshi in Nepal.  He maintains that he never misses an opportunity to get outside. He has achieved 5 stars in canoeing as well as kayaking and leads courses for Stand Up Paddleboarding. He is also an instructor for Rescue 3, passionate climber and more recently has venues underground becoming an cave instructor in many local caves.

His article discussing ‘What Makes the Perfect Raft Guide’ was recently published in The Paddler.

Mike enjoys running courses for instructors and guides and frequently his students afford enthusiastic testaments as to his teaching abilities and water skills.  He has such a contagious passion for the outdoors that many of those under his tutelage have gone on to successful careers in the outdoors, including competitive rafters for Great Britain.

Off the water, he is married to Sara, an American originally from San Diego and they have two daughters. He enjoys taking them along on his travels and getting them involved in the outdoor world as much as possible. Although their youngest daughter has only just turned one, both girls have spent many hours on the water in boats with their father.

Mike is fully involved in the development of Parkwood Outdoors and will be running outdoor courses throughout the year. He can be contacted by email at [email protected].

White water activities

Food, whiskey and socialising with friends and family.

MLTB – SPA (Single Pitch Award/Rock Climbing Instructor)

MLTB – ML  (Mountain Leader)

UKCC – Level 2 Kayak Coach

UKCC – SUP Instructor

RYA – Powerboat Certificate

GNAS – Archery Leader

AOFA – 16 Hour Mountain First Aid Certificate

EDUCARE –  Safeguarding Certificate

Erca – Generic Rescuer

APSI – Shooting Instructor

Cave – Level 1

Matt has been in the Outdoors all of his life. He Studied Outdoor Education at College before landing his first Instructor job at the age of 18, some 20 years ago.  Matt has a lot of expeience in particluar with Clmibing where we has managed various centers both in the UK and abroad.

Matt has worked at a number of Outdoor Centres. He has experience of working with Schools (primary and Secondary), Colleges, Universities, Youth Groups, DofE Groups, Children in Care, SEN+D groups, Corporate and private clients.

On a daily basis Matt has been responsible for instructing and managing a team of instructors. This includes holding daily meetings, line managing staff, training, observing, signing staff off to lead activities and providing constructive feedback.

Matt is also responsible for a lot of the paperwork with groups including Sales/bookings, Interviewing staff, application form selection, hiring staff, logistics management of minibuses and trailers, ordering kit for activities, writing Risk Assessments/ Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plans.

Personal experience of Winter and Summer Mountaineering, Rock Climbing across Europe, White Water Kayaking, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Surfing, and Stand Up paddleboarding.

Rock Climbing and White Water Kayaking

Working on his farm, white Water Kayaking, rock climbing and socialising with family and friends.

Rescue 3 – WRT -Pro

British Cave Association – L1 Cave

UKCC – Level 3 Sheltered water canoe and kayak coach, SUP DSM

Royal Yachting Association – Powerboat Certificate Level 2

Royal Yachting Association – Sailing Level 2

16 Hour First aid

Gorge Walking Instructor

Academic – Degree in Outdoor Education

Becs has been in the Outdoors all of her life. She studied Outdoor Education at University while working her first Instructor job at the age of 18. Bec’s has a lot of experience in particular with canoeing and gorge walking.
Becs has worked at a number of Outdoor Centre’s while being freelance and has experience with all ages from primary school, secondary school, corporate groups and family and friend parties.
She spends her free time practising the outdoor sports she enjoys like paddle boarding.

Stand up paddle boarding, gorge walking and caving.

Socialising with family and friends. Paddle boarding and caving

British Canoeing – Paddle Sports Instructor, SUP Open Water Leader

Gorge walking instructor

Rescue 3 – WRT -Pro

MLTE – Rock climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader

Caving Instructor

Academic – PGCE, Welsh Speaker

Luke is Welsh through and through and proud of it! He’s is super experienced in the outdoor sector and is our newest member to the Dolygaer team. He brings with him and passion for the outdoors, a wealth of knowledge and the Welsh banter to keep us on our toes!

Caving and climbing

Slaying dragons

British Canoeing – Paddlesports Leader and Core caoch.  SUP DSM and Open water leader.

Gorge walking instructor

Rescue 3 – WRT -Pro

Mountain Leader and Climbing Instructor Trained

Lil Matt has risen up the ranks with us, starting with us as an assistant and developing on to be a great and enthusiastic instructor.  Groups love Matt for his passion and his endless energy.

Paddle boarding and mountain biking

Hobbies: Paddle boarding and Surfing

Paddle boarding and Surfing