Case Studies
We have done this before.
Projects across venue development, outdoor operations, events, production support and expeditions.
They show where the experience behind SHACADEMY comes from, from early work at Belmont and The SHAC to Buckland Park Lake and more recent projects.
Major case studies
Venue and destination work
Projects involving outdoor venues, landowners and destination development.
Operating Experience Case Study
The SHAC — From an Idea in the Woods to a Major Outdoor Operation
From grassroots outdoor programmes to a substantial year-round adventure and watersports operation.
Read the case study →Venue & Destination Development Case Study
Buckland Park Lake — Letting the Place Lead the Development
How managed access, phased activity and stakeholder collaboration helped a former Surrey quarry lake evolve into an established outdoor destination.
Read the case study →Venue & Destination Development Case Study
Belmont School
How an underused school woodland became an outdoor learning environment — and established the venue partnership model that followed to later sites.
Read the case study →Case Study — National Trust Waterways
National Trust — River Wey & River Mole
Making waterways work as outdoor activity venues.
Responsible access, participant education and a commercially viable paddleboarding operation on the National Trust's River Wey Navigations — including a permanent base at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford — and organised activity on the River Mole.
Read the case study →Venue & Destination Development Case Study
Tapwood Lake — From Underused Estate Asset to Specialist Diving Destination
How opportunity identification, commercial modelling and specialist introductions helped shape a new use for a former quarry lake.
Read the case study →Venue & Destination Development Case Study
Birtley House
Replicating and adapting a proven outdoor model for a new estate and audience.
How an established woodland activity model was taken to a second Surrey estate, adapted around its lake and used to reach a new audience.
Read the case study →More work & experience
Events, expeditions and specialist work
Production & Brand Support Case Study
Mustang Survival
Water safety, location support and production delivery for an international outdoor brand.
Read more →Opportunity Development Case Study
Buckland Park Laser Tag
How outdoor laser tag was identified as a Buckland Park woodland opportunity, developed through specialist supplier engagement and operational planning, and progressed to a fully costed five-figure investment proposition before becoming Wildstrike Adventures.
Read more →Activity & Instructor Development Case Study
E-Foil Instructor & Activity Development
How an emerging watersport was learned, broken into teachable stages, staffed, risk-assessed, insured and commercially delivered — then withdrawn when the economics no longer justified it.
Read more →Coaching, Competence & Outdoor Learning Case Study
Skills in the Hills
A progressive mountain-bike programme that used the Surrey Hills themselves to develop technique, judgement and independent decision-making.
Read more →Event Creation Case Study
GLAGLA UK
Creating and delivering an established UK winter SUP race and challenge across multiple editions.
Read more →Expedition & Personal Development Case Study
Yukon 1000 — Four Years to the Finish Line
The first British SUP team to complete the Yukon 1000 — 1,000 miles of unsupported wilderness river, and four years of preparation, setbacks and resilience to reach the start line.
Read more →Technology & Operational Systems Case Study
The SHAC Booking System
How a growing outdoor operation translated frontline requirements into a bespoke booking and management platform, who contributed what, and what years of live use taught SHACADEMY about operational technology.
Read more →