DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT

ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP III (AVL306D)

REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT I

1st Examiner
Total: 100 marks MS. XH MNISI

Student number

2 1 9 6 8 2 6 1 1
Initials Surname
Signature
N.X Magwaza

COURSE: Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management

LECTURER: MS. XH MNISI Mark: ___________ % ___________

INSTRUCTION:

▪ Answer ALL questions in the answer script book provided.

______________________ ___________________
Signature Date

QUESTION 1

EXPERIENCE: OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT: PARTICIPANT SELF REFLECTION

The questions below help us understand how you were impacted by your second-year Camps,
which are; ARA level II, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, and Hiking.

REFLECTION

What did you learn from your second-year camps?

▪ About Yourself-
During kayaking camp, I learned to believe more to myself as much my group did believe
in me. I am a person who feel for other people’s feelings, especially during the time when
were outside the river not all of us could paddle down the river stream without difficulties.
So, support system was there for other group members for them complete obstacles like
others fairly. I also learned that a client’s life is on your hands a river guide, if you can’t
swim then you incompetent for the job. Because most clients are not familiar with
water/river environment.

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 During Rock climbing and Abseiling, I learned that I am a person who enjoys working
together other people because I learn fast if we are working a collective to achieve
common goal. I also learned to never give up on anything even life I in general because
nothing comes easy in life. In rock climbing endurance on strong feet and hands is very
critical because lifting your body up the rock is not an easy task to do.
In abseiling, I learned to have full trust to my belayer, and I slowly abseil down the bridge,
however at first it was not an easy thing to do because the feeling is weird. In both
activities I learned how rescue a client in case carabiner or belaying device malfunction
and that a guide it is your responsibility for a client to have confidence in you.

During Hiking or Mountaineering Camp that was situated at the Drakensberg

mountains, I learned that is very significant to listen to your leader during the hike, ensure
that we keep the weaker hiker at the front and stronger ones at the back of the hiking trail
to minimise clients being lost from the back of the trail. While preparing for the hike you
us ensure that you do not over pack unnecessary things as they can add more weight on
your hiking back and end up without space for important supplies to sustain your trough
out the hike. Never litter on the wilderness as that might negatively damage the natural
environment from how it was before too worse, to do that we used to have a wated plastic
bag carried by one of our classmates through out the trip where we disposed all wated
materials on. For the first time, we got to learn on how to connect camping tent from
stretch without guidance from the guide. I believe Mr Gustav and his assistant were
literally testing our teamwork capabilities as we were divided into groups of four people.

▪ About Yourself as a leader and facilitator-

On the Kayaking camp I learned that I was very good with working a group with my
classmates, because that helped us a lot in achieving objective faster compared to
working as an individual. At Sabie River camp my teammates believe in me in a way that
those who did not do better at their fist year in kayaking always wanted me to their groups,
it was easier for me to assist them because I can swim even if I fell out of the kayak, I was
able ride back on without assistance from Mr Kestell and his team.
On the abseiling camp at Waterval Boven, I learned that I was able to belay my
teammates successfully even though some doubted themselves, but a support energy
was doing the trick. When tiering knots, I sometimes forgot them, because Morris and
Thulani used to allow us to firstly do all the main and required knots wrong but later guide

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 us on how to do them one step at a time. I also learned that some of my classmates was
afraid of heights to we all had to convince her by gaining her on that abseiling was safe if
you have all your safety gear on and checked for readiness.
On the Hiking camp, I learned that I am a good leader by be able to assist weaker
classmates and ensure that we all get to the destination together. I also learned that I was
a responsible for ensuring that we had a 5l bottle of water by all times because it was very
hot in Drankersburg then. I terms of facilitating; I am not sure on ether I could be a good
one or not but if it gets to that point clients would decide on the experience I have with
them. However, dealing with a group people and ensuring that they are all safe is not an
easy task for an individual.

▪ Your strengths-
I was very good in paddling skills, I learned that before my second year on the first
kayaking camp. I am also good in swimming, it happed once that we do water safety
whereby, we all had to do the de-attach from the kayak in case of emergency. Honestly it
was not easy because it was almost impossible because I felt like I was drowning at first.
In Abseiling, I was able to belay properly using different belaying devices even though we
had a bit heavier classmate on my group, but I was very good. When dealing knots, I was
good on the figure of eight knot, double figure eight knot. I also recall a stopper knot that
is mostly used when rescuing a person from a torn rope or malfunctioning belay device,
that was a tricky task to do but I managed to accomplish.

▪ What areas offer the most opportunity for improvement for you as a leader?

When dealing with many clients and as a leader you try to take every decision on their
behalf now and then I believe it not good every time, hence why we have different
leadership styles. I f there is a student who pretends as if they are sick with a motive not
to participate on the activity at hand then you as leader must investigate such behaviour
because it might happen that it’s a serious discomfort to a client while a leader might be
taking it lightly. Feedback or reviews from the clients experience with you as a leader is
the critical aspect to investigate if you want to improve as a leader, since people might
have good or negative views with how to deal with situation during activities.
Leaders must be able to motivate and inspire team members, raise a sense of trust and
teamwork, and resolve conflicts effectively.

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LEADER AND CO-LEADER

1.1 Who was your co-leader and what did you learn about your co-leader?

My co-leader was Koketso Maphakela. He was almost very good in every outdoor activity we
participated into. However, I learned that he was not very good in engagement on conversation
with teams at first. Eventually, he adapted. He taught me that a leader it is of importance to
engage with teammates to sense of comfort and support base as you go through out with
activities.

1.2 What was the best part of your experience with the co-leader?
My best part with my co-leader was when were we learned how to practice water rescue
effectively at Sabie Ricer camp. During this activity we had to accomplish a task whereby we
were grouped in fours each team member had to dive into fast running water flowing down
stream. As a result, leaders had to ensure that each team member’s life is saved because by
default that no one could swim out of fast running river on their own. Equipment used was a
rescue throw-rope that was approximately 500m long. Cooperation with co-leader was
critical as one life might been at risk.
1.3 What was the best part of your experience in any outdoor programme with your co-leader?
My best part of an outdoor programme was when were had to sleep on a cave at Drankersburg
National Park, at night after the hike we had through out the day along with navigation skills
development we had to prepare for a camp inside a breath-taking cave with a beautiful view
facing the mountains of the Drankersburg. Food was prepared before we slept using gas
canister stove, the stove was provided by itchy feet’s outdoor staff and Mr. Gustav himself.
On the next day, Throughout the night we had a boom fire and shared our own individual
experience, what we learned on the camp and how teamwork affected our hiking
performance as a group.
1.4 What were the strengths and weaknesses of your co-leader?
Strengths of my co-leaders on the abseiling and rescue camp is that he was very good with
rope tying knots, had an idea of different knot types, which situations are used to, two types
of ropes we had and their advantages and disadvantages.

Weaknesses of my co-leader was that he feared heights meaning that he had to adjust
throughout the camp. Also, not very much a talker on the camp, mean that he did not have
good communicating skills with our group reason being that he had language bearer as he
could not speak siSwati and English fluently.

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 OUTDOOR SKILLS
1.5 Outdoor Skills:
▪ What are your greatest strengths in the outdoors?
1. AWARENESS- Overarching awareness is key when considering how a leader
leads in the outdoors. As a guide I needed to remain aware of my friend’s
skill level and most importantly, myself as a leader.
2. COMMUNICATION- Verbal communication and non-verbal
communication, such as body language and hand gestures, are a few ways
that teammates and I had been using to communicate. In the outdoors and
on hiking or mountaineering adventures, communication needed to be clear
to ensure that all members during the trip were on the same page. Normally,
we would have briefings and debriefings. These meetings provided the
opportunity to discuss any personal or group goals during the camp. They
also helped with excitement about the anticipated activity. This is best
demonstrated by saying what you mean, and meaning what you say.
3. TOLERANCE- Understanding my teammates personal tolerance level can be
beneficial when faced with difficulty in the outdoors. The natural
environment can be a challenging place, and the people you may be with
may also pose challenges. Be present and familiar of your presence in
opposing conditions by that you will build tolerance for difficult situations.
Additionally, I learned to work with a different type of people and how to
communicate openly. These skills will help me when comes to dealing with
challenging situations in the future.
▪ What are your weaknesses in the outdoors?
After a long hike, fatigue sets in when you are physically and mentally exhausted, which
can easily happen if you have had a long day walking and carrying a backpack. Food and
drink are of huge importance too, I needed to eat big earlier to give my body power and
high energy snacks along the way and I later realised the importance of that. Foot pain
seems a little obvious, but foot pain is a real hiking problem that can literally stop you in
your tracks.

▪ What areas do you need to improve?

To minimise foot pain while hiking wearing well-fitting walking shoes and
comfortable socks that are made from a material that draws sweat away from your

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 feet will really help. Take painkillers and anti-sickness medicines to try and ease the
symptoms while you wait for your body to hopefully get used to. If you are walking
up and down hills, particularly on rocky and uneven surfaces this can be especially
hard on your knee joints, and if you start to feel soreness whilst you are walking it is
almost guaranteed to get worse if you continue to walk on. Hiking sticks can really
help ease the pressure on your knee joints since you are spreading your weight
more.

PROGRAMS

1.6 What was the best part of your experience in the outdoor programme?
My first experience kayaking was an experience I will never forget. Kayaking was not an
activity I ever thought I would engage in, let alone enjoy. Traditionally, non-land activities
such as kayaking and other water sports were regarded as unnecessary and doubtful
dangerous.

Also, as a non-swimmer, the thought of floating on a river, in a kayak that could easily tip no
less, racked up some nerves I never knew existed. Still, considering continued learning
experience brought about by the adventure tourism management and my desire to
experience all. When the opportunity came to go kayaking, all I could hear myself say was
okay.
1.7 What did you like least about the outdoor programme?

Hiking can be an incredible experience, but there are some things that people may not mention.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:

It can be physically demanding Hiking can be a real workout, especially if you are going
uphill or carrying a heavy backpack. Make sure to pace yourself and take breaks as
needed. The weather can be unpredictable, even if the forecast calls for clear skies,
weather conditions can change quickly when you're out on the trail. It's important to
bring appropriate clothing and gear for a variety of weather conditions. You may
encounter wildlife, depending on where you're hiking, you may come across animals
such as bears, snakes, or insects.
Be aware of your surroundings and take appropriate precautions to avoid encounters.
Trail conditions can vary, trails can be rocky, muddy, or steep, and may require

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 navigating over obstacles such as fallen trees or streams. Make sure to wear
appropriate footwear and bring trekking poles if needed. It can be mentally challenging:
Hiking can be a great way to clear your mind, but it can also be mentally challenging,
especially if you're hiking for an extended period of time. Make sure to bring plenty of
water and snacks to stay energized, and take breaks as needed.

1.8 How were your expectations going into any of the programs different from what you
experienced from the other programme (Choose any program between the mentioned
programs and use them to reflect)?
I'm not afraid of heights as such, but it's an intimidating feeling taking that first step back off
the cliff. My first experience of abseiling was at Roc n Rope Adventure in Waterval Boven
town. Fitting the harness was the always the first challenge, followed by the sitting around
waiting, sitting and I think this was the biggest problem with abseiling as an activity, the
waiting, but a bit of a necessary one too. Having said that, the upside from this activity is huge.
Reflecting on my experience, I nervously approached the top of the abseil, gripping at my
harness as I stepped closer.
With the safety line safely in my hand, I looked carefully over the edge, looking down at what
looked like a massive drop. The instructor did not say much, which did not help, bedside
manner is important at this point. I was connected onto the belay and abseil line and then
told to go, with little to no other instructions. I approached at the edge for what felt like a time
without end. Not wanting to look down, but at the same time, wanting to see where I was
going. I looked forward and stepped back, my heart pounding so fast I could feel it slamming
my ears. I took another step uncomfortably rolling back.
My foot slip, but I caught it in time, and I was over the edge. Leaning back, suddenly I was
abseiling. The rest of the experience was an exciting moment and before I knew it, I was on
the ground staring back up at the drop that did not look one little bit as hard as what I had
thought at top.
1.9 Do you feel that the outdoor programme increased your knowledge of natural resource
management, outdoor recreation, and environmental history? If so, in what ways did this
happen?
Yes, outdoor program like kayaking did manage to increase my knowledge about the
environment and program itself. Without a doubt, kayaking was a fun and peaceful
adventure-- and a way to sneak some exercise into my day! I believe that my experience

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 kayaking was made so enjoyable because of a few tips and tricks I learned along the way that
I’d like to share:

Go with an experienced kayaker: I went with a group of my classmates and met experienced
kayak guide Mr. Kestell and his team who have been kayaking for years. They were around me
most of the time and that made me feel less scared. It is best to be led by people who knows
their way around a kayak if it is your first time. Going forward, I will still go with Kestell
Adventures company because I truly enjoyed chatting with them on the river and learned a
lot from them too.

Wear comfortable and appropriate clothes: I wore swimming shorts and some tights which
were very comfortable. I did wear sneakers at first, but they got soaked which was a bad idea.
Next time, I will wear a water shoe or a waterproof sandal, so as not to soak up a nice pair of
sneakers. You should too.

Listen to the safety instructions: A life jacket was strapped onto me, and I was told what to
do if I fell into the river. I was also instructed on how to use the paddle, as well as what parts
of the river were deeper and what parts were not, so as not to get stuck. I listened very
attentively and kept everything in mind.

Keep an open mind: I think this was the most important thing for me. I unexpectedly kept an
open mind, and it helped me be in the moment and truly enjoy the whole experience. In
conclusion, I think everyone should experience river kayaking at some point in their lives
because it can be incredibly peaceful, and you get to feel like one with nature. I for one am a
kayak motivated after just my first experience.

GROUP DYNAMICS

1.10 Please reflect on your experience with other group members on the trip. What factors
contributed to positive group interaction? Did anything detract from a positive group
experience?

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 • Communication skills- Open communication is so critical to any team. But
especially when team goals are shared, collaborative efforts. Communication is key
especially in the outdoor setting as if it not properly executed ones a client’s or
teammate’s life might be at risk.
• Conflict resolution skills- Let us face it conflict is bound to happen if you are on
camp with a group of members. People normally are going to disagree in the
workplace or anywhere whereby there are bound to work in teams to accomplish sets
of goals. But what matters is how the team navigating disagreements and conflicts.
• Teamwork or collaboration skills- We all know individual team members have their
own preferences on how they want to contribute to teamwork. But there are very few
instances in the outdoors whereby teammates do not have to work with another
teammate.
• Decision-making skills- good group dynamics need good decision-makers because
normally there are goals set by the guide for team mates to accomplish a set specific
time frame. The bottom line is that, if the team cannot make effective decisions, it is
likely that they are not going to making progress toward their group dynamics goals.
An effective team knows how to make decisions well (and together).

1.11 How do you plan to improve your facilitation and outdoor skills? In the two months, over
the next year?
There are many skills and techniques that you can use, depending on the situation and
the group that you are working with. On the first two months, I will first do self-
introspection as person because if I am about to depart a journey of working different
people and understanding them, I must know my self as a leader. In that case I will work
on improving my facilitation skills that includes One of the most important skills for a
facilitator is the capacity to actively listen to others and fully appreciate their points of
view, which enables them.
As a facilitator I must be able to ask the right questions to the right people at the right
time and in the right manner to keep the conversation moving and seeking
information.to overcome disagreements and misunderstandings. The main aim of
myself as a facilitator is to be able to ease aggressive statements to reduce stress and
allow the group to concentrate on agreed goals.

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 Over the next year, I should be then able to ensure that all participants understand the
why, how, and what is expected of them is a selected outdoor program or activity. As
the facilitator I must give clear directions for the activities and expect them to be
followed. I must be able to create a time limit, addressing all new developments during
the ongoing activity or conflict arising, and ensuring everyone can contribute. As a
facilitator I must ensure to provide productivity.
Food and drink breaks should be always in place as it helps to keep the teams
energised. As a facilitator I must always keep neutral when dealing with groups to
provide equal treatment for both sides of an argument and be able to reach an
agreement that fair. I aim to be a flexible facilitator, that is willing to adjust, and easy
going in my approach, preparations, and how I treat my clients in a group or individually.

1.12 Describe what facilitation and outdoor skills you would like your ideal co-leader to
possess (what are some examples from these trips of styles that you might work well with and
that you might be more challenged by and why).
• I would love to work with a co-leader that competent in making progress because A
facilitator does what is necessary within a group to make progress. Time efficiency is vital
to the facilitator in making progress under deadlines.
• Co-leader must be able to deal with a group his/her own by ensuring that they are
unbiased leader who listens to both sides of an argument. This co-leader will have to
solve problems by reaching common ground between two or more people in a group.
• My co-leader should be someone who can inspire a team of people to solve their
problems and succeed in their goals plus remains neutral about how the group achieves
its end goal. If a successful outcome is reached, he/she has done their job.
• Being prepared all the time as co-leader is a contributing factor to making progress and
facilitating a group successfully. A facilitator who is prepared will be able to provide the
resources that the team needs to move the conversation toward a common goal.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

1.13 What recommendations would you make for future outdoor trips and students who will
participate in them?
• Big Swing in Graskop, Mpumalanga-
This beautifully conceived tourist offering was designed to give visitors the chance to
immerse themselves in the stunning natural environment of the Graskop Gorge in an
environmentally sensitive way. Several activities await, with the biggest rush coming
from the Big Swing, which is one of the world’s highest gorge swings. To get your
adrenaline-pumping, the Big Swing launches off the top of a waterfall. Freefall for
70m and reach speeds of up to 140km/h.

After plummeting straight down, the jump rope pulls you into a high-speed curve and
you swing from one side of the gorge to the other, before being lowered into the local
forest below. People wanting a less extreme adventure can rush across the gorge on
a high-wire double Zip Line. The course starts at the top of a 5m tower, with 360
degrees views. Ride a 120m-long zipline across the gorge before walking along a
scenic platform and zipping back again.

• The Bloukrans bungee jumping near Plett-

Situated at the Tsitsikamma Forest Village Market, just 40 km east of Plettenberg Bay
along the N2, you will find the Bloukrans River Bridge – and the ultimate thrill. The view
from Africa’s highest bridge captures all the magnificence and peacefulness of the
Bloukrans River valley. But there is nothing relaxed about throwing yourself more than
200 meters down towards the river below. It is recognised as the highest bungee from
a bridge in the world, Bloukrans Bungy uses swing bungee technology to ensure the
smoothest, most comfortable bungee jump possible.

Jumpers are secured in a full-body harness combined with an ankle connection. They
also offer bungee tours accompanying the jumpers to the bridge to check out the
action up close and walking tours across the world’s third-highest bridge. Here you
can take in the glory of the valley and learn about the largest bridge. Otherwise you
can just sit back, relax, and watch the jumpers on the big screen in the Cliffhanger
Bar and Restaurant.

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