Surrey Young Walkers

Walk Leading

All our walks are led by our group members. Any SYW member can lead a walk - you don't need any special training or qualifications. Here's an outline of what's involved.

What's involved

Choosing a route

SYW walks are generally between 5 and 15 miles long, so you'll have plenty of choice of what type of walk you'd like to lead. If you need inspiration, there are lots of guide books giving routes all over Surrey, including AA's 50 walks in Surrey, 100 walks in Surrey, and Pub walks in the Surrey Hills. Or you can find routes online at sites such as:
www.go4awalk.com
www.fancyfreewalks.org
www.gps-routes.co.uk
www.walkinginsurrey.co.uk


Assessing a route

It's recommended to walk out the route in advance ('recce') to make sure there are no problems. Remember the pace of a group will be slower due to regrouping stops, water stops, etc. Generally plan for a pace of 2.5 miles per hour on flat/easy terrain, or 2 miles per hour on hilly terrain. Plan a suitable lunch and/or refreshment stop.

You'll get higher attendance if the start/end point is a train station. Plan your start time to coincide with trains from popular hubs such as Guildford and Clapham Junction. If you can find out the parking charges for drivers then it's also useful.


Putting your walk on the programme

Look at the walks already submitted and decide on a date that you'd like to submit your walk for. We welcome more than one walk on the same day if they are in different areas or grades, so don't be put off if there's already a walk on your ideal day.

When you're ready to put your walk on the programme simply log in to our website and complete the form. The form requires the same details as you see when looking at the programme. The webmaster will check your submission and either approve it, or ask you for clarification of any details.


Risk Assessment

This is a quick online form, and for a typical walk (and once you've done it a few times) it will take you literally 30 seconds.


Leading your walk
  • Check the weather forecast and adjust the route if necessary.
  • Your list of walkers is available on your walk page using the 'Walker list' button. We recommend screengrabbing this on your phone if you may not have reception at the starting point
  • Welcome anyone who is new to SYW.
  • Check that everyone is suitably equipped and able to complete the walk, and advise dog owners of any points on the walk where their dog will need to be on a lead.
  • Make sure you can hear your phone in case anyone phones/messages to say they will be late. You should wait up to 10 minutes if you are aware of latecomers.
  • Introduce yourself as the leader and give a brief introduction to the walk.
  • Do a headcount.
  • For a large group, appoint a back-marker and make them known to the group.

During the walk

There are lots of things to remember, so we recommend focusing on the following:

  • Possibly the most important thing: Whenever you come to a point where there are multiple turnings or paths (essentially, anywhere with any ambiguity at all about where to go), pause and regroup.
  • For smaller groups take regular headcounts; for larger groups make sure you can see the back-marker.
  • Remember to take time for drink stops and watch for any walkers having difficulties. The entire group is no faster than your slowest walker.
  • Don't be afraid to shorten or adjust the route if weather conditions, group progress or some other unforeseen thing happens. It is far more important for the group to get safely and comfortably to the end (and ultimately back home) than to try to keep to the advertised route.

At the end of the walk

There's not much to do at the end of the walk - just make sure everyone is still accounted for and if there were any accidents or problems during the walk, make a note of them.

Get started

If leading a walk sounds like something you'd love to do, submit your walk for review and inclusion on the walks listings.