Introducing the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant: Your Path Into the Outdoor Industry

The outdoor industry is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and life-changing sectors to work in. But for too long, it has been dominated by one demographic — and women have been underrepresented at every level, from mountain leaders to surf instructors to outdoor education managers. At Land & Wave, we believe that needs to change. That’s why we’re launching the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant: a new funding initiative designed to give women a supported, accessible route into a professional career in the outdoors.

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love of the outdoors into a career, this grant could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

What Is the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant?

The Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant offers successful applicants 50% off the course fees for our flagship 15-week Outdoor Instructor Training programme. That means instead of paying £6,750 in course fees, grant recipients will pay just £3,375 – a saving of £3,375.

This grant has been created specifically to redress the gender imbalance in the outdoor industry and to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand between talented women and a meaningful career in adventure education and outdoor instruction.

About the 15-Week Outdoor Instructor Training Course

Our Outdoor Instructor Training course is one of the most comprehensive and immersive programmes available in the UK. Based in beautiful Dorset on the Jurassic Coast, it combines land-based and water-based disciplines to give you the skills, qualifications, and confidence to lead others in the outdoors.

Course Dates & Location

• Start date: 2 November 2026
• End date: 28 February 2027
• Duration: 15 weeks
• Location: Dorset, England

Dorset is an extraordinary base for outdoor training. From the dramatic cliffs and sheltered coves of the Jurassic Coast to the rolling hills of the Purbeck Hills and the wild waters of Poole Harbour, the county offers an unmatched natural training ground for aspiring outdoor instructors. You’ll spend 15 weeks living and breathing the outdoor life – gaining qualifications, building skills, and becoming part of a community of like-minded adventurers.

What the Grant Covers — and What It Doesn’t

We want to be fully transparent about what the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant includes. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Included in the Grant

• 50% reduction on course fees: saving £3,375 off the standard £6,750 course fee
• All qualification assessments and certification costs included in course fees
• Full access to Land & Wave’s expert coaching team and resources

Not Included in the Grant

The grant covers course fees only. The following costs are additional and are the responsibility of the student:

• Food and accommodation: £3,600 for the full 15-week programme
• Kit package: £1,140 (equipment and kit required for the course – yours to keep forever)

When you factor in the grant, the total cost of the course for a successful applicant breaks down as follows:

• Grant-reduced course fees: £3,375
• Food and accommodation: £3,600
• Kit package: £1,140
• Total estimated cost: £8,115 (vs £11,490 at full price)

Why We Created the Female Adventure Grant

The statistics speak for themselves. Women make up a minority of qualified outdoor instructors in the UK, and the gender gap is even more pronounced at senior leadership levels within outdoor education organisations. The barriers are well-documented: financial cost, a perceived ‘boys’ club’ culture, lack of visible female role models, and limited access to mentoring and networks.

At Land & Wave, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact that skilled, passionate female instructors have on the young people and adults they work with. Representation matters. When a teenage girl goes on her first kayaking lesson and sees a confident, capable woman leading the session, something shifts. The message is clear: 

you belong here too.

We created this grant because we want to be part of the solution. Not just talking about inclusion, but actively investing in it — removing financial barriers, creating a supported pathway, and welcoming women into the outdoor profession with open arms.

Is the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant Right for You?

You might be the perfect candidate for this grant if:

• You are a woman with a passion for the outdoors and adventure sports
• You want to turn your love of outdoor activities into a professional qualification and career
• You are available to commit fully to the 15-week residential programme from 2 November 2026 to 28 February 2027
• You are based in or able to relocate to Dorset for the duration of the course
• You are committed to a career in outdoor instruction, adventure education, or related fields
• You are ready to challenge yourself physically, mentally, and professionally

You don’t need to be an elite athlete or an experienced instructor to apply. What matters most is your enthusiasm, your commitment, and your potential. We’re looking for women who are ready to give everything to this programme and to emerge on the other side as qualified, confident outdoor professionals.

How to Apply for the Female Adventure Grant

Applying for the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant is straightforward. You’ll need to complete an application form, which gives you the opportunity to tell us about yourself, your experience in the outdoors, and why you want to pursue a career as an outdoor instructor. The application also asks about your availability and commitment to joining the November 2026 cohort.

Places on the grant are limited, and we anticipate strong demand, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Our team will review all applications and may invite shortlisted candidates to an informal conversation before final decisions are made.

Key things to include in your application:

• Your outdoor experience and any relevant qualifications
• Why you want to become an outdoor instructor
• How the grant would support your journey into the industry
• Confirmation that you are available and committed to the full 15-week course (2 Nov 2026 – 28 Feb 2027)

Fill out this application to apply for the adventure grant.

A Career That Changes Lives – Including Your Own

Working as an outdoor instructor is not just a job – it’s a vocation. Every day, you’ll help people push their limits, discover new capabilities, and find their confidence in wild and beautiful places. You’ll work with school groups, corporate teams, families, and individuals, delivering experiences that people carry with them for a lifetime. Check out some of the jobs out there: HERE

The 15-week Land & Wave Outdoor Instructor Training course is designed to get you job-ready. By the time you graduate, you’ll hold a portfolio of nationally recognised qualifications and have the practical experience to hit the ground running — whether you want to work for an outdoor education centre, a surf school, a charity, or set up your own adventure business.

The outdoor industry is growing. The demand for skilled, qualified instructors has never been higher. And with this grant behind you, the path has never been more accessible.

Don’t Miss Your Chance — Apply for the Land & Wave Female Adventure Grant Today

The November 2026 cohort will be a pioneering group: the first women to benefit from this new grant and to help shape the future of gender equality in the outdoor industry. We’re proud to offer this opportunity, and we can’t wait to meet the women who will take it.

If you’re ready to take the leap, fill in the application form today. If you have questions before you apply, our team is always happy to chat — reach out via our website or social channels and we’ll be in touch.

Your adventure career starts here. 

Apply by filling in this form: