Chris Heaney

Senior Lecturer Adventure Education

Email: C.Heaney@chi.ac.uk

Chris is a dedicated outdoor enthusiast who has used his passion for the outdoors to forge a diverse and challenging career path that lead to a Senior Lecturer post at the University of Chichester in 2008.

Chris served his time as an instructor working in the North of England, Europe and North America. He has worked extensively in Further Education teaching in Sport, Adventure Education and Uniformed Service programmes. He has also worked in Collaboration with Teesside University to develop and teach on a Foundation Degree in Outdoor Leadership.

Taking advantage of his outdoor experiences Chris developed a diverse range of leading and coaching qualifications early on in life, aided by a strong competitive background in adventure sports. Upon completion of his BCU Level 5 Coach Award he took the opportunity to work further afield, taking a post with Colorado Outward Bound School leading groups through the spectacular Mountains, Deserts and Canyons of the American Midwest and working with young people at risk on the outskirts of New York. Using both adventure education and other diversionary activities, he established a successful alternative education programme for young people previously unable to sustain mainstream school.

Chris contributes to the development of coach education as a National Trainer for the BCU. An all rounder in the water, in recent years Chris has enjoyed trips surfing along the west coast of Europe and North Africa, as well as white water paddling in the European Alps and Himalaya.