Our Mission
At WAVE we want everyone to take part, regardless of background or barriers because we believe engaging in sport can transform your life. All our volunteers are passionate about adventure and enjoy introducing people to healthy outdoor activities. They get a kick out of seeing others forget about their problems as they become totally engaged in an activity, such as rock climbing or kayaking. And they all firmly believe that actively taking part can improve your life in many ways.
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We are committed to working with all volunteers & staff to enable them to develop at their own pace. During 2023 volunteers/ staff have gained Outdoor 1st Aid; MIAS Mountain Bike Leader L1-3; Mountain Bike Leader Course Provider L4 & 5; Cycle Maintenance tutor L3 -5 (MIAS); RCI ; Paddlesport Leader leader (British Canoeing) Fundamentals Coaching L3
Our Volunteers & staff
Graham Wood -
Founder
Graham founded WAVE Adventure in 1999 and has used his outdoor qualifications/ experience to combine with experience working with a range of under represented communities over the past 40 years to help shape the charity. “Now in it’s 24th year, I have enjoyed watching 1000’s of people of all ages and backgrounds experience the excitement and thrills to be gained through taking part in and growing through outdoor activities. I am incredibly proud & humbled to see the difference WAVE makes in people’s lives. Passionate about living life to the full and am a lover of the outdoors myself, since being introduced to walking and water sports through my father and through school trips just a few years ago :). I absolutely love being involved, along with our superb staff, coaches & volunteers, in giving as many people as possible opportunities to take part in adventurous activities through WAVE Adventure.”
Jennifer Sumner –
Chair of trustees
“I have been involved with WAVE for a number of years as a participant and as a volunteer. WAVE Adventure has given me new skills and new found confidence, allowing me to gain new qualifications, leading me to become a qualifies MIAS Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader and a qualified lifeguard. I actively run mountain bike courses for women and for adults who wish to learn to ride and look after the environment through reducing car journeys. I thoroughly support everything that WAVE does as a charity and I love being outdoors and passing new skills and adventures on to new people of all ages.”
Ginny allende -
staff
Ginny Allende is an outdoor enthusiast and a passionate advocate for adventure sports. An accredited Rock Climbing Instructor, Paddlesport Leader, Level 5 Mountain Bike Leader and Mechanic, Ginny is paving the way to increase female representation in leadership roles in male dominated environments in outdoor adventure. She is passionate about supporting women and girls to lead and take up their rightful space in these traditionally male dominated environments.
Ginny has had extensive experience of working with children and adults in frontline NHS Mental Health Services. From Forensic Practice to Early Intervention in Psychosis. Ginny combines her Occupational Therapy and Psychology degrees and postgraduate accreditations with her passion for the outdoors, supporting people to overcome fears, challenge themselves and grow therapeutically outdoors.
Ginny is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment at Wave Adventure, where people from all walks of life can come together and belong.
adam whittaker -
staff
Cytech level 2
MIAS cycle maintenance instructor level 5
MIAS mountain bike instructor level 5
Off site safety management
First class bachelor of arts with honours degree in outdoor adventure leadership.
Worked as a race mechanic, workshop manager and bike shop manager and now an outdoor instructor and cycle maintenance instructor. Spent 8 years in the army reserve as a combat engineer. This year's plans are to qualify as a ML and RCI and start a Master's degree in outdoor practice.