ERCA - European Ropes Course Association

27/08/2026

It's still summer, but time is flying: Please remember that you can benefit from an Early-Bird-Discount if you register by 31st August. There is a lot on offer at our conference, including:
✔ 12 Manufacturers confirmed and more to come
✔ 14 Sessions already scheduled
✔ Valuable networking opportunities
✔ Expert Meetings for ERCA-certified Bodies

Be part of it and register now at our website!

18/08/2026

🎓 Train the Trainer – Traditionelle Seilgärten
Bist du bereit, dein Trainings Know How und deine Kompetenzen zu erweitern?

ERCA Train-the-Trainer Course – Traditioneller Seilgarten wurde für erfahrene Retter entwickelt, die sichh zum Ausiblder weiterqualifizieren möchten , um qualitativ hochwertige Ausbildungen in der Seilgarenbranche anzubieten.

Lerne wie du...
🧗 eine effektive Ausbildung aufbaust und anbietest
🎯 nach klar definierten Lernzielen ausrichtest und sie vorab formulierst
👥 verschiedene Unterrichtsmethoden sinnvoll kombinierst und einsetzt
🗣️ wertschätzendes Feedback gibst und gute Ratschläge erteilst
📋 Kompentenz und Durchführung einer Aktion gut beurteilen kannst
🛟 Sicherheit, Risikoanalyse und Rettung in die Ausbildung integrieren kannst
🏆 professionelle und in sich stimmige Kursorogramme entwickelst

Werde mehr als nur Betreuer und Retter. Werde ein Ausbilder, der kompentente Betreuer und Retter ausbildet.Become more than an instructor.

👉 Train the Trainer. Entwickle Kompetenzen. Erhöhe Standards.
Der nächste Train the Trainer for Traditionelle Seilgärten findet vom 27. bis 30. Oktober im Seilgarten Hannover statt.
Der nächste Kurs ist von 27-30 Oktober 2026 in Hannover

Seilgärten Weiterentwicklungt

17/08/2026

The session of Peter DuCane will give you insights in his adventurous zip line projects across the world. Lessons learned, plenty of picture impressions and potentially conceptual ideas for the audience will be shared.

Peter is a civil, structural, and mechanical engineer based in Exeter and was involved in some of the world’s most extreme zip lines. With a BEng and MSc, Peter turned his passion for high-load tensile structures into a global career, designing along with clients breathtaking single zip lines stretching up to 3.1 kilometres. From initial concepts to hands-on site supervision, he handles the full project lifecycle for major international adventure park operators.

Peter and his clients are also the go-to specialists for cutting-edge Netpark-Adventures, High Ropes Courses, and related Off-Ground Adventures. By blending technical precision with a deep understanding of the outdoor leisure market, they deliver unforgettable, safe guest experiences.

Whether you are planning a massive eco-tourism attraction or a canopy tour, you should meet Peter at the ERCA Conference to discuss how your wildest concepts can be turned into reality.

17/08/2026

🎓 Train the Trainer – Traditional Ropes

Ready to take your training skills to the next level?

The ERCA Train-the-Trainer Course – Traditional Ropes Course is designed for experienced professionals who want to develop their skills as a trainer and confidently deliver high-quality training within the ropes course industry.

Learn how to:
🧗 Structure and deliver effective training
🎯 Set clear learning objectives
👥 Manage different learner profiles
🗣️ Give effective feedback and coaching
📋 Assess competence and performance
🛟 Integrate safety, risk management and rescue into training
🏆 Develop professional and consistent training programmes
Become more than an instructor. Become a trainer who develops competent professionals.

👉 Train the Trainer. Develop Competence. Raise the Standard.

The next Train the Trainer for Traditional Ropes Course is 28 September till 1 October by Mill Adventures in the United Kingdom. Go to www.erca.uk for more information!

Unser Verband repräsentiert europäische Ausbilder, Seilgartenerbauer, Inspekteure, Retter und Betreuer, die auf Hochseilgärten arbeiten, als auch Organisationen, die stationäre, temporäre oder mobile Seilgärten betreiben.

13/08/2026

Inspections are more than a routine process. They provide an opportunity to review, improve and help maintain high professional standards across the adventure industry.

Continuous improvement begins with attention to detail.

11/08/2026

This session explores where ERCA incident reports, ERCA safety warnings, and manufacturer product recalls are published and how they can be found before PPE inspections. Visual inspections are an essential part of PPE management, but they cannot identify manufacturing defects or products that have been recalled. A simple workflow will be demonstrated that integrates recall checks into existing inspection routines.

The aim is to provide delegates with a practical improvement that can be implemented immediately to reduce the likelihood of recalled equipment remaining in service.

Through a short presentation and live Q&A, participants will see how cross-referencing these sources can strengthen PPE inspections and learn how to quickly locate the information they need.

By the end of the session, delegates will be able to:
- Recognise the limitations of visual PPE inspections.
- Identify reliable sources of product safety information.
- Can apply a simple workflow without creating additional paperwork.
Benn is a Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, 4-Star Sea Kayak Leader and ERCA-certified Traditional Ropes Course Instructor. He worked across the outdoor industry, including Redridge (Wales), Al Shaheen (UAE), YMCA New Zealand, Malta and Beaumanor Hall, as an Outdoor Education Instructor, Kayak Guide and Senior Instructor.

06/08/2026

The strength of the adventure industry comes from the people within it.

By sharing ideas, supporting one another and working together, we continue to build a stronger, more connected community across Europe.

03/08/2026

Welcome James Ketchell at our conference for an entertaining presentation about his adventures and to learn how he transports the inspiration to young people.

On 13 June 2026, James sailed into Gosport (UK) to complete an extraordinary third circumnavigation of the globe by sea, having previously flown a gyrocopter around the world in 2019 and cycled around the world in 2014. He becomes the first person to achieve the triple feat of circumnavigating the globe by land, by air and by sea.

Not all James’ adventures have been easy! He survived two mid ocean rescues and on one he found himself clinging to a rope ladder on the side of a 100,000- tonne oil tanker as he climbed to safety in storm force winds in the Indian Ocean.

Having spent much of his teenage years struggling with no ambition and very little confidence, James has spent the last ten years passionately working to inspire young people, as well as sharing his lessons learned with companies around the world.

02/08/2026

Continuous learning is at the heart of professional development.

Whether through practical training, knowledge sharing or industry collaboration, every opportunity to learn helps strengthen skills, build confidence and support the continued growth of the ropes course industry.

28/07/2026

The Impact of a Rapidly Changing World on Our Industry

We have chosen this theme because it is relevant to every one of us, regardless of age, nationality, or sector. For some within our industry, guiding others through periods of change is their expertise. It's their business.

Our conference provides an ideal opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another a we navigate an increasingly dynamic world together.

We are delighted to welcome several distinguished speakers who will bring fresh perspectives, practical insights, and thought-provoking ideas. Their contributions promise to inform, inspire, and entertain, making this a conference that offers lasting value for everyone attending.

We very much hope you and your colleagues will be with us.

Each week henceforth, we will introduce one of the conference speakers, so please follow us on one of our channels.