About Ocean Vertical
Welcome To Adventure: Based in Scotland on the rugged coastline of East Lothian at Hedderwick Hill Stables, 25 miles east of Edinburgh. We are a passionate team of adventurers specialising in paddle boarding, coasteering, surfing, climbing and mountaineering, locally and across Scotland 365 days a year.
OUR MISSION
We create authentic adventures which honour our passion for the natural world.
Empowering people to embrace new experiences; building skills and confidence that has a lasting impact. Fostering respect and understanding of the outdoors, and supporting sustainable practices that allow us to protect and preserve the natural environments we work in.
THE TEAM
WE ARE A DIVERSE TEAM FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURES.
WE ARE BOUND BY A LOVE FOR ADVENTURE AND EXPERIENCES IN THE NATURAL WORLD: TOGETHER WE ARE COMMITTED TO PUTTING THE PLANET FIRST.
Stevie Boyle
Director and Co Founder. Lead Guide & Instructor
Stevie has over 20 years of experience leading clients on adventures in the mountains and ocean. As an accredited professional guide he also trains other instructors in adventure sports.
As our lead guide and instructor, he has hands-on responsibility for ensuring our clients have adventures that are inspiring, communicate new skills and knowledge, and are fun and safe. He has extensive mountain and water-based professional qualifications and is outside 365 days a year.
Mollie Hughes
Director
Mollie is a world record-breaking mountaineer and Polar expeditioner. Over the past 10 years she has taken part in many expeditions across the globe, including reaching the summit of Mount Everest from both the northern [2017] and southern [2012] route.
In 2020 Mollie became the youngest woman to ski solo from the coast of Antarctica to the geographic South Pole, covering 700 miles in 58 days. Find out more about Mollie and Ocean Vertical here.
Jacob Allen
Adventure Activities Manager
Jacob has over ten years' experience working within the Adventure Sports Industry across the globe.
In addition to being an experienced and knowledgeable instructor/guide, he is a brilliant team leader.
We are delighted to have Jacob on board the OV Team as our Adventure Activities Manager. Jacob is also a passionate adventure photographer and will be capturing moments of every adventure Ocean Vertical have to offer.
Susie Bennet
Events Co-Ordinator & Instructor
Susie is a qualified ASI Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Instructor with Ocean Vertical and a trained Wellbeing Coach, specialising in Blue Health Coaching and Mindfulness.
Having worked within the Public and Charity Health Sector for over ten years, Susie has always been aware both personally and professionally how important nature and being in the outdoors is for mental and physical wellbeing.
With a background in project and event management, Susie is supporting the development of events Ocean Vertical offer within both Community and Corporate spheres.
Susie is passionate about encouraging people to access the outdoors and protect all that nature offers us.
Andy Spink
Associate Instructor
With over 30 years of experience as an Instructor and Guide, Andy has extensive climbing and hiking experience in the Himalayas, South America, the European Alps and the UK where he has completed all of Scotland’s Munros.
Andy is Co-Founder and General Manager of Hebridean Pursuits Outdoor Learning and has an array of high-end qualifications including International Mountain Leader Award, Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, and Level 5 Surf Kayak Coach.
Andy is also a surfer, snowboarder, and youth worker with a degree in Fine Art.
Dr Kirsty Rew
Associate Instructor
Kirsty is a qualified Stand Up Paddle (SUP), Yoga, SUP Yoga and Surf Instructor, with 15 years experience practicing yoga and surfing. She gained these qualifications to share her passion for being active outdoors and the associated benefits to wellbeing and mental health.
Kirsty has a Doctorate (PhD) in Engineering with previous work including development of lasers for satellites. This scientific background informs her detailed approach to coaching, focusing not only on how, but why changes to technique and skills are effective.
Sally Harris
Associate Instructor
Sally is an expert in sustainable development and community education: She has over 20 years experience in developing and leading ocean based adventures.
As Founder and Lead Facilitator of Groundswell Scotland, and founder of Dunbar Surf Lifesaving Club, she is a life long advocate of the profound benefits nature and the ocean has on our wellbeing.
Sally is a qualified instructor in paddle boarding, surfing, coasteering and yoga.
Professional Adventure
We are qualified mountain leaders and rock climbing instructors.
We are an accredited Academy of Surf Instructors School and Instructor Training Centre.
We offer coasteering guide and assessment training using the National Coasteering Charter Guide Award.
We train and assess qualifications by Surf Life Saving Great Britain.
We provide First Aid courses for outdoor professionals and adventurers through the First Aid +F Course.
We continue to build on these qualifications and expand our adventures deeper into the Scottish wilderness.
WE KEEP THE
WILD, WILD
AS AN ADVENTURE COMPANY, AND ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS, WE PLACE THE WILD AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF SCOTLAND AT OUR CORE.
A simple philosophy
In all the activities and experiences we offer in the mountains and ocean our goal is to minimise the environmental impact and leave no trace through our journeys.
We have a simple philosophy on life: a respect and taste for real adventure, a love for our natural world and a belief that we human beings are not paramount – wilderness for its own sake.
No justification. For us, being in nature is a transformational experience.
Ethical adventure
Over the past years we’ve spent time exploring, climbing, mountaineering and on boards in the ocean. These are the places we love and share a calling to. We’ve spent hours on the cliff face and snowfields sharing stories, beliefs and concerns.
We recognize that a love for our beautiful wild places demands active participation in the fight to save them.
As a responsible and ethical adventure company we are committed to the wild and natural environment we work in. We balance purpose and profit with a % of profits from Ocean Vertical directed back into environmental causes and activism.
Passion for life & adventure
Our passion for life and adventure drives us to provide transformational experiences for our clients in the wilds of Scotland. Safety is the number one priority for all of the adventures we provide.
We are owner operated with a lifetimes experience in adventure. We are proud of our professional qualifications and accreditations, our commitment to the natural world and the high level of professionalism set by our team.
We believe the mountains and oceans are neutral places. It's how we conduct ourselves when we enter their world that makes them either safe or unsafe.
We place emphasis on pre planning, best professional practice and informed decision-making.
THE LIFE OF OUR CHOICE
LEADING ADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OF SCOTLAND IS NOT A JOB TO US, ITS WHO WE ARE.
THIS IS THE LIFE OF OUR CHOICE; BOTH WITH CLIENTS AND IN OUR OWN FREE TIME.
WELCOME TO ADVENTURE.
Ethical Adventure Practices: Ocean Vertical's Path to Responsible Exploration
At Ocean Vertical, ethical adventure practices are the cornerstone of our mission. With a deep reverence for nature's beauty and a commitment to its preservation, we have woven a tapestry of responsible choices into every aspect of our offerings.
1. Thoughtful Equipment Selection:
Our adventure journeys begin with the choices we make in gear selection. We prioritise eco-friendly and sustainable options whenever possible, ensuring that our equipment aligns with our ethos of minimizing our impact on the environment.
2. Small Group Dynamics:
We believe in the power of intimacy when it comes to group size. By keeping our groups small, we create a more personal and meaningful experience for participants, minimizing our footprint and fostering a deeper connection between individuals and the environment
3. Environmental Education:
Every adventure with Ocean Vertical is an educational opportunity. Our experienced guides are not just there to lead; they are educators who share insights into the ecosystems, history, and conservation challenges of the areas we explore. This immersive learning approach fosters a greater understanding of the environment and encourages responsible behavior.
4. Leave No Trace Principles:
Ocean Vertical is a staunch advocate for Leave No Trace principles. We teach and practice these principles rigorously, ensuring that our presence in the wilderness does not leave lasting marks. It's about enjoying the beauty of nature while respecting its delicate balance.
5. Cultural Sensitivity:
Responsible adventure isn't just about nature; it's about respecting the cultures and communities that call these landscapes home. We collaborate with local communities, embracing cultural sensitivity and contributing to sustainable economic development
6. Advocacy for Conservation:
Ethical adventure extends beyond the trails and oceans. We are active advocates for conservation initiatives, contributing a portion of our profits to support local projects. It's a way for us to give back to the environments that give us so much.
7. Mindful Adventure Education:
Adventure with Ocean Vertical is about more than just the thrill. It's an education in mindful adventure. We teach participants how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, how to make ethical choices, and how to leave behind only footprints and memories.
8. Encouraging Connection:
Above all, our ethical adventure practices are about fostering connections—between individuals and nature, between communities and landscapes, and between our sense of adventure and our responsibility as stewards of the environment.
Ocean Vertical's commitment to ethical adventure practices is unwavering. We believe that exploration and conservation are two sides of the same coin. With every step we take and every adventure we offer, we strive to honor the beauty of the natural world and empower others to do the same.
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