ABSTRACT

Water environments occur in urban and rural locations alike and therefore we encounter venues for activities, formal and organised, spontaneous and informal, to be undertaken in, on, under and adjacent to the water in most parts of the UK. Outdoor educational encounters seek to encourage those taking part to think, reflect, act and learn, often, it should be added, in complex and challenging settings. Within the traditional view of outdoor education challenge and risk are fundamental concepts occupying a central role in relation to the design of experiences. Challenge may be considered as a complex blend of the physical, emotional and cognitive when, for example, someone is learning to stand up on a paddle-board. Talk incorporates many elements including chat, conversation and dialogue, all of which may be stimulated as a consequence of the rich and powerful experiences associated with water. This chapter discusses the learning potential for informal outdoor education residing in physical, personal and socio-cultural contexts.