All of us have some sort of a hobby, be it reading, sports, gardening and so on… Some of these hobbies have scope to be pursued seriously as a career. However, for a full –fledged career, one needs to develop expertise in it. Here let us discuss about an adventurous hobby which can be a part of enjoyment as well as good career choice. i.e a career in an adventure sport.
Land Sports: Rock Climbing, Skateboarding, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Snowboarding, Trekking, Adventure Racing, Land and Ice Yachting etc.
Water Sports: Scuba Diving, White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Cliff Diving, Snorkeling, Yacht Racing, Powerboat Racing, Wind Surfing etc.
This is mostly a male dominated career field as the work necessitate to spend a lot of time away from home, in remote locations. But today more women are coming forward to participate in adventure sports. To promote interests of women, schools like ‘Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering, Gulmarg’, has started courses exclusively for women.
Eligibility
Talking about personal attributes, main trait required for a career in Adventure Sports is physical and mental fitness along with sporting spirit. Also required is team spirit and leadership qualities, high levels of responsibility and a strong sense of commitment. To secure employment in this field, certification from any Adventure sport institute is enough. Proficiency in swimming is mandatory for water based sports. For getting jobs in Excursion agencies and Holiday resorts proficiency in any foreign language is necessary as the candidate might have to deal with tourists from across the world. There are lot of courses available for both beginners and experienced sports people. Institutes like Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Nehru Institute Of Mountaineering offers Basic mountaineering, Advance mountaineering courses which are of 28 days duration. National Institute of Water Sports, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports are the other prominent institutes that offer courses in various adventure sports.
Job prospects in adventure sports
Adventure sports is gaining popularity throughout the world specially in the tourism sector as part of Adventure Tourism. Due to the involvement of the media (National Geographic, Discovery, AXN etc), people have become more aware of adventure sports activities around them and want to plan an adventure holiday. (Adventure holiday destinations in India)
There are a number of career options to choose from, one can either specialise in one particular sport or a number of them. These specialists may work as free lancers or may be recruited by specific agencies. Career options in adventure sports sector can be as Adventure Sports Instructor, Adventure Sports Athlete, Outbound Training Facilitator & Trainer, Adventure Sports Photographer, Adventure Tourism Facilitator, Adventure Camp Counselor, Extreme Sports Specialist, Water and Aero Sports Specialist, Trekking & Mountain Guide, Adventure Tour Guide and so on.
Opportunities for adventure sports professionals exist in Excursion agencies, Holiday resorts, leisure camps and commercial recreation centers, Sports centers and athletic clubs. You can set up your own adventure sports centre offering services and impart training in your area of specialization. They can work as instructors to teach students in institutes. Another option is to work in a training organization specializing in outdoor training. One can also opt Adventure Sports Photography as a career.
Remuneration
Sports like mountaineering and trekking are considered more lucrative since they attract the maximum number of foreign tourists. An adventure sports instructor can expect a pay package starting at Rs. 9000 – 10,000 per month. This can go up to Rs. 20,000 – 25,000 per month depending on what sport the instructor is dealing with. An experienced professional can earn between Rs 600 -1500 per day. Institutes offering courses in adventure sports
Some notable institutes are
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Jawahar Parvat
Darjeeling-734 101 (WB), India
Phone: 0354 2254087, 2254083
Fax: 0354 2253760
Email : Contact I
Website : www.hmi-darjeeling.com
Offers Basic mountaineering course, Advance mountaineering course which are of 28 days duration. It also offers special courses for females.
Nehru Institute Of Mountaineering
Uttarkashi – 249193
Uttarakhand
Phone: +911374-222123, 224663, 223580
Fax:+911374-223344
Email: Contact I
Website : www.nimindia.net
Offers Basic mountaineering course, Advance mountaineering course which are of 28 days duration. It also offers courses like special rescue training, specila mountain Guide course, sport climbing etc. of few days.
Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering
IISM, House No 183, Kursoo, Raj Bagh,
Srinagar, J & K- 190008
Tel / Fax: 0194 – 2312749
IISM, Near Golf Club,
Gulmarg, J & K- 193403
Tel / Fax: 01954 – 254480
Mobile: (0) 9419604990, 9419034449, 9419076335
E mail: Contact I
Website: iismgulmarg.com
Offers courses in skiing, trekking, water skiing, parasailing, mountaineering ballooning etc.
Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM & WS)
C/O JIM & WS, Nunwan, Pahalgam
Distt: Anantnag (J&K) Pin-192126
Nunwan Pahalgam (J&K)
Ph.: 01936-243002
Fax: 91-01936-243129
E-mail: Contact I
Website: www.jawaharinstitutepahalgam.com
Offers Mountaineering Courses, Adventure Courses, Aero Sports, Water Sports, Rescue Courses and Skiing Courses.
Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports,
Manali, HP – 175131
Phone: 01902-250377, 252342, 252206
Fax: 252137
Email: Contact I
Website: dmas.nic.in/
Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports conducts adventure activities for Indian participants and Foreign participants separately. In addition to following courses, the DMAS also conducts special activities mentioned below.-Mountaineering Expeditions, Mountaineering Courses, White Water Rafting Expeditions, Summer Skiing Courses/ Camps.
Regional Mountaineering Centre, McLeodganj
Trail to Triund Hill from Main Square, McLeod Ganj, HP 176219
Phone:0189 222 1787
Winter Sports Skiing Centre
PO Palchan, Manali, Kullu, HP
Phone: 01902-256011
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports,
Manali 175131.
Phone No-(01902) 252342-253789
Fax No- 01902-252139
E-Mail : whmi_manali@yahoo.com
Courses offered : Skiing & Outbound Adventure including trekking, camping, river crossing, rock climbing, rappelling.
High Altitude Trekking & Skiing Center,
Narkanda , Distt. Shimla (H.P) Pin- 171213
Phone No: 01782 – 242406
Regional Water Sports Centre, Pong Dam (Kangra)
Pong Dam, near Talwara.
Phone: 01893-288956
Courses offered: Water Sports Courses – Swimming, Kayaking, Sailing, Rowing, Boating, Water Surfing & Skiing
Regional Adventure sports Centre,
Hatkoti, Distt. Shimla (HP) 171206
Telephone : 01781-238839,
E-mail: Contact I
Mountaineering Sub Centre
Jispa, Distt. Lahaul and Spiti (HP) 175132
Telephone: 01900-233230
Mountaineering Sub Centre
Bharmour, Distt. Chamba (HP) 176315
Telephone: 01895-225036
The Ballooning Club Of India
8-B, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002.
Phone: +91 11 2371 6665 +91 11 2331 7947
Contact I
National Institute of Water Sports
Aivao, Near Dona Paula Circle Caranzalem, Panjim, Goa
Phone: (0832) 2453898
Website : www.niws.nic.in
Offers courses in windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, river rafting, diving etc.
