Adventure activity glossary

What do the words on an adventure day booking mean? This page explains 75 common terms in plain English.

If a word on a provider's website isn't here, ask them. A good provider is happy to explain.

AALA

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, which sits with the Health and Safety Executive. It licenses providers who offer certain activities, such as caving, climbing, trekking and watersports, to young people under 18 for payment.

Abseiling

Going down a rock face, wall or structure on a rope, using a harness and a device that controls how fast you slide. An instructor usually checks your equipment and backs you up from above or below.

Read more: Climbing

Aqualung

The early name for a scuba set, from the breathing system that Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan developed in the 1940s. You will still hear older divers use the word.

Read more: Scuba diving

BCD

Short for buoyancy control device. It is the inflatable jacket a scuba diver wears, which holds the tank on your back and lets you add or release air to float, hover or sink.

Belay

The system and the person that hold the rope while someone climbs, so a fall is caught. The person doing it is called the belayer. On most group days an instructor or a trained assistant belays.

Bivvy

Short for bivouac. It is a very small shelter, often a waterproof bag that goes over a sleeping bag, used for sleeping outdoors without a tent.

Bouldering

Climbing short routes close to the ground without ropes, with thick crash mats underneath. It is popular at indoor climbing centres and works well for beginners.

Read more: Climbing

Briefing

The talk before an activity where the instructor explains the plan, the equipment, the signals and what to do if something goes wrong. Listen to every word, even if you have done the activity before.

Buoyancy aid

A snug, padded vest that helps you float. It is worn for activities such as kayaking, rafting and coasteering. It is different from a lifejacket, which is bulkier and designed to turn an unconscious person face up.

Read more: Water activity safety

Cag

Short for cagoule. It is a waterproof paddling jacket with tight seals at the neck and wrists, worn over warm layers to keep spray and cold out.

Canopy

The fabric wing of a parachute or paraglider. A skydiver steers the canopy after the freefall part is over, and a tandem instructor does this for you.

Canyoning

Travelling down a river canyon by walking, scrambling, swimming, jumping into pools and sometimes abseiling. In the UK it is often run as gorge walking.

Capsize

When a boat, kayak or canoe tips over. Beginner paddling sessions teach you what to do, which is usually to stay calm and get out of the boat, called a wet exit.

Read more: Kayaking, Water activity safety

Carabiner

A metal clip with a spring loaded gate, used to connect ropes, harnesses and safety lines. Climbing and high ropes courses use locking ones, which cannot open by accident.

Clay pigeon

The flat disc target thrown into the air in clay shooting. A machine called a trap launches it, and you shoot it as it flies. The word pigeon is just the traditional name.

Coasteering

Moving along a rocky coastline at the edge of the sea by scrambling, swimming and jumping into the water. You wear a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid, and a guide chooses the route to suit the tide.

Dive buddy

The person you dive with. Buddies check each other's equipment before the dive, stay close underwater and help if something goes wrong.

Drop zone

The airfield where skydivers take off from and the open ground where they land. Many centres use the term for the whole skydiving centre.

Dry suit

A waterproof suit sealed at the neck, wrists and ankles that keeps you dry, with warm layers underneath. A wetsuit works differently, because it lets in a thin layer of water that your body warms.

Eddy

A calm patch of water behind a rock or bend where the river circles back on itself. Paddlers use eddies to rest, to wait for the group and to get out of the main flow.

Read more: Kayaking, White water rafting

Eskimo roll

A kayak technique where you flip upright again after capsizing, using the paddle and a flick of your hips. It takes practice. Most beginners learn to get out of the boat safely instead.

First descent

The first recorded trip down a river, rapid or waterfall, usually by kayak or canoe. Paddlers use the phrase when they talk about exploring new water.

Flat water

Calm water such as lakes, canals and slow rivers. Beginners often start on flat water, because there are no waves or rapids to deal with.

Freefall

The part of a skydive between leaving the aircraft and the parachute opening. It lasts roughly half a minute to a minute, depending on the height of the jump.

Gorge walking

Following a stream or river up or down a rocky gorge by wading, climbing, sliding and swimming, wearing a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid.

Gunwale

The top edge of the side of a boat or canoe, pronounced gunnel. Instructors may ask you to keep your weight low and central so you do not lean over it.

Hand signals

Agreed signs that divers use because they cannot talk underwater, such as okay, up, down and out of air. Your instructor will teach them before the first dive.

Harness

A set of straps worn around the waist and legs, and sometimes the chest, that you clip a rope or safety line to. Climbing, abseiling, zip lines and high ropes all use one.

High ropes

A course of rope bridges, nets, beams and zip lines built high above the ground in trees or on a frame. You wear a harness and clip onto a safety line.

Hypothermia

When the body gets so cold that it cannot warm itself. Cold, wet and windy conditions bring it on. Tell your guide if you are shivering or feel confused or unusually tired, and wear the layers they suggest.

Indoor skydiving

Floating on a column of air in a vertical wind tunnel, which feels like freefall. You wear a flight suit, helmet and goggles, and an instructor stays with you.

Jump run

The path the aircraft flies over the drop zone before the skydivers leave it. The pilot lines it up with the wind and the landing zone.

Kit list

The list a provider sends you of what to wear and bring. Following it properly makes the day much more comfortable, and some centres cannot let you take part without the right clothing.

Lanyard

A short cord or strap that connects you to an anchor point or to a piece of equipment. Some high ropes and via ferrata routes use two, so you are always attached to something.

Lead climbing

Climbing with the rope attached to you, clipping it into protection on the wall as you go up. A fall is longer than on a top rope, so leading is usually taught after the basics.

Read more: Climbing

Leave No Trace

A set of simple outdoor principles for looking after the places you visit. They include taking your rubbish home, staying on paths and leaving wildlife alone.

Lifejacket

A flotation device designed to turn an unconscious person face up in the water. It is bulkier than a buoyancy aid and is worn on boats and for some sea trips.

Read more: Water activity safety

Marker

The proper name for a paintball gun. It uses compressed gas to fire small gelatine balls filled with paint. You always wear a mask and keep the barrel cover on until you are told to play.

Mask

The scuba diving mask covers your eyes and nose so you can see clearly and breathe out through your nose. A good fit matters, and your instructor will help you find one.

Read more: Scuba diving

Mixed ability

A group where people have different levels of fitness, confidence or experience. Good providers can adapt an activity so everyone takes part together.

Neoprene

The stretchy synthetic rubber used to make wetsuits, boots, gloves and hoods. Thicker neoprene is warmer.

Open water

Diving or swimming in the sea, a lake or a flooded quarry instead of a pool. Scuba training usually starts in a pool and moves to open water dives.

Read more: Scuba diving

PFD

Short for personal flotation device. It is the general name for any buoyancy aid or lifejacket.

Read more: Water activity safety

Pitch

One section of a climb between two stopping points. A long route is split into pitches, and each one is about the length of the rope.

Read more: Climbing

Pool session

The first stage of scuba training, in a swimming pool. You learn to breathe from the regulator, clear your mask and control your buoyancy in shallow water before going to open water.

Read more: Scuba diving

Quickdraw

Two carabiners joined by a short, strong strap. Climbers clip one end to a bolt on the wall and the other to the rope as they go up.

Read more: Climbing

Rapids

A stretch of river where the water runs fast and rough over rocks or drops. They are graded from 1 to 6 on the white water scale.

Reserve parachute

The back up parachute that every skydiver carries, including tandem instructors. It is packed by a qualified packer, and skydivers practise what to do if they need it.

RIB

A rigid inflatable boat. It has a solid hull and inflatable sides, which makes it fast and stable. Providers use them for sea trips, wildlife tours and safety cover on the water.

Risk assessment

A written check of what could go wrong on an activity and what is done to prevent it. A good provider will have one and should be happy to tell you about it.

Scrambling

Moving over steep or rocky ground using your hands as well as your feet. It sits between walking and climbing, and usually has no ropes.

Read more: Climbing

Single track

A narrow trail just wide enough for one bike. Mountain bike centres often have waymarked single track loops graded by difficulty.

Sit on top kayak

A kayak with an open seat on top of the hull, instead of a cockpit you sit inside. It is easy to get on and off, which makes it a popular choice for beginners and for fishing trips.

Spotter

A person who stands beside a boulderer to guide a fall onto the mats and protect the climber's head. It is a useful skill to learn at an indoor centre.

Read more: Climbing

Staff ratio

The number of participants for each instructor. A lower number means more attention for each person. It is a good question to ask before you book.

Swell

Long, rolling waves that travel across the sea, usually from distant weather. Swell size affects coasteering, surfing, diving and boat trips, and is a common reason for a change of plan.

Tandem skydive

A skydive where you are attached to a qualified instructor who controls the jump and the parachute. Most first time jumpers do this, and no experience is needed.

Tethered balloon

A hot air or gas balloon fixed to the ground by a cable. It rises and lowers on the spot instead of flying across the countryside, so it is less dependent on wind.

Tide

The regular rise and fall of the sea, about twice a day. Coasteering, sea fishing and diving are all planned around the tide times.

Top rope

A climbing set up where the rope runs from the climber up through an anchor at the top and back down to the belayer. Falls are very short, so it is the usual way to climb on group days.

Read more: Climbing

Traverse

Moving sideways across a rock face or climbing wall, instead of going up. It is common in bouldering and a good warm up.

Read more: Climbing

Via ferrata

Italian for iron way. It is a route up a rock face with fixed cables, rungs and bridges, where you wear a harness and clip yourself to the cable as you go. There are a few in Britain, including one at Honister in the Lake District.

Read more: Climbing

Visibility

How far you can see underwater. In British waters it varies with the weather, the tide and the season, and is often lower than in warm seas, which is why dive centres give you a briefing first.

Read more: Scuba diving

Waiver

A form you sign before an activity to say you understand the risks and have answered health questions honestly. Providers use them as a normal part of booking. Read it properly, and ask if anything is unclear.

Waymarked trail

A route marked with coloured posts or symbols so you can follow it without a map. Mountain bike centres grade their waymarked trails by difficulty, from green for easy to black for hard.

Weir

A low barrier built across a river to control the water level. The water can pull back towards the weir at its foot, which is dangerous. Paddlers learn to spot them and keep away, and good guides plan routes around them.

Read more: Water activity safety

Wetsuit

A close fitting neoprene suit that lets in a thin layer of water, which your body warms. It keeps you warmer in the water and gives some protection from knocks. Most providers lend you one. Thicker suits are used for colder water.

White water grades

A scale from grade 1 to grade 6 that describes how difficult a stretch of river is. Grade 1 is gentle moving water and grade 6 is extreme. Most commercial rafting trips run on grades 2 to 4, and your provider will tell you which grade you are on.

Wild camping

Camping away from organised camping grounds, usually in the hills or by the coast, with a small tent and no facilities. Scotland has a right of responsible access that covers it. In England and Wales you generally need the landowner's permission, with some exceptions such as parts of Dartmoor, so check before you go.

Wild swimming

Swimming in rivers, lakes and the sea instead of a pool. Cold water, currents and hidden hazards make it riskier than it looks, so it helps to go with a guide or an experienced group.

Read more: Water activity safety

Winch launch

A way of getting a paraglider or glider into the air on flat ground. A cable is attached to the glider and a winch reels it in, which pulls it up like a kite. It is used at some paragliding schools where there are no hills.

Wind chill

How much colder the air feels because of wind. A cool day can feel much colder on a hilltop or on the water, so providers often ask you to bring extra layers.

Windsock

A cone shaped bag on a pole that shows which way the wind is blowing and roughly how strong it is. You will see them at skydiving centres and airfields. Staff watch them closely when deciding whether it is safe to fly.

Wipeout

A fall or tumble off a surfboard or paddleboard into the water. Everyone has them when they start, and beginner lessons usually spend time on how to fall safely and how to get back on.

Zip wire

A steel cable on a slope that you slide down in a harness, hanging from a pulley. Also called a zip line or flying fox.

Adventure activity glossary

AALA

Abseiling

Aqualung

BCD

Belay

Bivvy

Bouldering

Briefing

Buoyancy aid

Cag

Canopy

Canyoning

Capsize

Carabiner

Clay pigeon

Coasteering

Dive buddy

Drop zone

Dry suit

Eddy

Eskimo roll

First descent

Flat water

Freefall

Gorge walking

Gunwale

Hand signals

Harness

High ropes

Hypothermia

Indoor skydiving

Jump run

Kit list

Lanyard

Lead climbing

Leave No Trace

Lifejacket

Marker

Mask

Mixed ability

Neoprene

Open water

PFD

Pitch

Pool session

Quickdraw

Rapids

Reserve parachute

RIB

Risk assessment

Scrambling

Single track

Sit on top kayak

Spotter

Staff ratio

Swell

Tandem skydive

Tethered balloon

Tide

Top rope

Traverse

Via ferrata

Visibility

Waiver

Waymarked trail

Weir

Wetsuit

White water grades

Wild camping

Wild swimming

Winch launch

Wind chill

Windsock

Wipeout

Zip wire

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