Mr Derek Burdett
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Job title: Outdoor Technician
Email: d.burdett@derby.ac.uk
Department: Outdoor Recreation
Faculty: Buxton
School: School of Culture and Lifestyle
Subject Area: Sports and Outdoor Recreation
Teaching responsibilities
Modules delivered:
- Introduction to Kayaking and Canoeing,
- Introduction to Mountain Skills,
- Water-based Outdoor Activities,
- Advanced Mountain Skills
Professional interests
I was first introduced to outdoor sports by my family, going on school trips and being a Sea Scout. Mountain walking holidays in the Lake District, ski trips to Europe, canoeing down the Ardeche, and sailing twice a week, all guided me toward a career in the outdoors.
A summer working at a PGL centre was followed by a 12 month training course in Llanberis. From there I worked at various centres around the UK and in Europe, expanding my knowledge of different sports, gaining a wide range of qualifications, and holding senior staff positions. I have instructed a range of activities, from circus skills to snorkelling, caving to skiing, and many more.
I returned to university as a mature student to study Business Studies & Outdoor Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe campus, gaining a first class honours. This was followed by working at World Challenge as the UK Research and Development Manager. This required me to develop new activities and venues, maintain current arrangements, and work as an instructor on a wide variety of courses. As part of the job I led expeditions to Ecuador, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Chile, and Norway.
A year of freelance work for a variety of companies in the Peak District led to a temporary placement as Associate Lecturer on the Water-based module of the University of Derby Outdoor Degree, and was followed by a permanent position as Outdoor Technician.
In my spare time I go out paddling, climbing, biking, running and at least one ski trip each year. I have also written an instructional book 'The Adventure Toolkit', aimed at instructors, teachers and other people who work with groups in the outdoors.
NGB qualifications:
- ML Summer, SPA,
- BCU Level 3 Inland Coach,
- BCU Level 3 Canoe Coach,
- Trainee BCU Level 3 Sea Coach
Research interests
My interests are specifically in skilled performance and coaching within outdoor activities with a preference for applying this to canoeing and kayaking.
My BA dissertation looked at the pay schemes, and variations between activity and area, of outdoor activity instructors in the UK.
Undergraduate qualifications
- BA (Joint Honours) Business Studies and Outdoor Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe Campus
