Learning the trade – recognising the needs of aspiring adventure sports professionals

This paper aims to stimulate debate and prompt further research regarding the training, development Higher Education (HE) of aspiring adventure professionals (AP's). The design draws on 10 years observations trends within HE outdoor degree teaching sector, in tandem with authors' own extensive professional careers. Initial findings indicate role significance Professional Judgement Decision Making (PJDM) practice sports (AS) coaching leadership. Consequently, PJDM is found be a vital element education AP. training these skills situated cognition that conspicuous its absence many coach leader programmes where AP required balance pedagogical welfare demands consequential environments. A cognitive apprenticeship approach advocated which builds recent articles highlighting importance such domains.