SHACADEMY

What we do

A small number of things we do well.

SHACADEMY helps good projects succeed through practical experience, trusted relationships and real-world delivery.

We don't claim to do everything. We focus on a small number of areas where decades of experience can genuinely add value.

Service 01

Venue Development & Landowner Support

Helping landowners, estates and venues explore opportunities, develop ideas and turn land or early concepts into working outdoor operations — from feasibility through to live delivery.

Featured Case Study

Buckland Park Lake

From former sand quarry to one of the UK’s best-known inland outdoor activity venues — a practical example of venue creation, operational delivery and community building.

Read case study →

Relevant Experience

  • Buckland Park Lake — outdoor activity operation built from the water up
  • Birtley Estate — venue and operational development
  • Sessions and projects delivered at National Trust properties
  • Estate diversification and feasibility thinking
  • Activity venue creation and site planning
  • Operational design and infrastructure planning
  • Outdoor learning environments for schools
  • Partner introductions to make development happen

Service 02

Event Operations & Safety

Planning, leadership, safety management and operational delivery for events that need to go right first time — from first concept through to people on start lines.

Relevant Experience

  • Reigate Tri Series — water safety and event delivery support
  • GLAGLA UK — cold-water paddle event (founded and operated by SHACADEMY)
  • SUP Bike Run — concept co-developed; delivered at locations in England and Wales
  • Big Swim open water events — safety and operational support
  • Mass participation paddle and swim events
  • Open water event safety and water safety teams
  • Risk management, staffing and operational planning
  • Community and challenge events

Service 03

Creative, Content & Production Support

Helping outdoor brands, organisations and productions tell honest stories and shoot safely on location — from finding the right spot to keeping the crew safe in the water.

Relevant Experience

  • Mustang Survival — product field testing and creative collaboration
  • Water safety support for film, TV and commercial shoots
  • Location finding across UK outdoor environments
  • Location management on active shoots
  • Photography and stills for outdoor brands
  • Content creation and storytelling
  • Film production support and on-location logistics

Service 04

Workforce Development & Training

Developing capable teams through mentoring, practical experience and real-world leadership — building the people who make outdoor operations work.

Relevant Experience

  • SHACADEMY — the workforce development programme behind the name
  • Weirwood pilot — early-stage workforce pathway
  • Lifeguard development and on-the-job training
  • Mentor pathways for early-career outdoor practitioners
  • Leadership development for venue and event teams
  • Workforce pathways for young people entering outdoor careers
  • Team development through real responsibility in real environments

Service 05

Secret Swimmer Reviews

Independent, real-world reviews of venues, systems, customer journeys and operational delivery — seen through the eyes of an experienced practitioner arriving as a customer.

Relevant Experience

  • Venue audits across the visitor journey
  • Customer journey reviews — booking through to departure
  • Operational reviews of day-to-day delivery
  • Safety observations from the waterline
  • Independent feedback for owners and operators
  • Benchmarking against established outdoor venues

Service 06

Speaking, Workshops & Leadership Development

Practical talks, workshops and learning experiences for schools, organisations, leadership teams and outdoor professionals — grounded in real expeditions, real venues and real operations.

Relevant Experience

  • Schools where sessions and workshops have been delivered — including Belmont School, Box Hill School, Dunottar School, Eton College, Hurtwood House, Reigate Grammar School and Warlingham School
  • Outdoor organisations and operator teams
  • Leadership teams and away-day sessions
  • Experiential learning programmes
  • Adventure and resilience talks (including Yukon 1000)
  • Workshops for outdoor professionals and instructors
See Projects & Experience →

Who we help

Organisations we work with

  • Landowners and estates
  • Venues
  • Event organisers
  • Production companies
  • Schools and educators
  • Outdoor operators
  • Brands and organisations

Not sure where to start?

Many projects don't begin with a clear brief.

They begin with an idea, a challenge or an opportunity. That's exactly why Ask Matt exists. Ask Matt helps organise thoughts, identify priorities and create a clear starting point for a conversation.

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