Ben was born and bred in Edinburgh; he spent most of his childhood in the hills around Scotland. Ben’s love for the outdoors led him to study a degree in Outdoor Pursuits Management at Glasgow University; here he found his passion for climbing and mountaineering. After his degree he spent some time in the Cairngorms and took an intensive outdoor instructor course covering a range of different activities. 

After a year out traveling around the world and exploring new cultures Ben came back to Scotland in 2010 to work in various outdoor centres. He found himself settling on the Isle of Raasay Outdoor Centre where he worked as an activity instructor, leading on to becoming a senior member of their team.

In 2013 Ben moved to Perthshire, where he brought his rock and water skills together; working as a canyon and raft guide at Nae Limits Adventure Centre. He spent most of his spare time developing his canyoning skills around Scotland, England, Italy, Switzerland and Greece. 

In 2015, Ben joined a canyoning training course delivered by ICOpro (International Canyoning Organisation for Professionals). A short time after this Ben opened The Canyoning Company along with George Yates. Over the last 8 years he has gained valuable experience canyoning and providing canyoning trips and teaching in France, Madeira, Montenegro, Switzerland. 

In recent years Ben and a group of experienced canyoneers and guides from all over the world created V7 Academy; a unique online knowledge base for canyoning technical knowledge available to everyone, it's designed for access on your desktop or mobile device, anywhere, anytime. 

In 2021, Ben help to set up the UKCA became the Chairman of the UKCA and strives to develop canyoning around Scotland and the UK. 

Ben is super passionate about sharing his skills and experience and devoted to developing canyoning in the UK.

From a young age George was always involved in outdoor adventure sports and activities, spending most of his teenage years Kayaking and hill walking. George took a 3 year degree in Outdoor Leadership in Penrith, Cumbria. Here he spent 3 years developing his skills as an outdoor instructor and coach. George really fell in love with white water kayaking and anything involving challenging water and rivers. 

When he finished University he took a job at Vertical Descents in Scotland in 2009. He was very quickly guiding in the West Coast canyons along with white water rafting and running kayaking programmes. George was a participant in the first UKCG courses delivered by Rich Carlson and Ben Starkie. After leaving Vertical Descents he spent time working and travelling around the world as an expedition, canyoning and rafting guide. 

In 2010 George co-managed an adventure centre in Italy where he was involved in setting up the new canyoning activities for the centre. From here he knew he had a passion for canyoning and it was something he was very passionate about pursuing. After spending time guiding in Australia, New Zealand and Italy he went back to Scotland to manage Nae Limits Adventure, based in central Scotland. He spent 5 years here developing canyoning in the area and was actively involved in the UKCG where he became a trainer and began delivering courses and workshops. 

In 2014 George enrolled in a ICOpro (International Canyoning Organisation for Professionals) course in Bali, Indonesia. George then pursued the ICOpro training programme over many years and became one of 5 ICOpro Senior Trainers worldwide. He gained valuable experience canyoning and teaching in many countries such as New Zealand, Switzerland, France, Australia, Portugal, Montenegro, Africa, USA and Indonesia. 

Recently George and 4 other experienced trainers and guides from all over the world created V7 Academy. With his passion and experience for canyoning he is driven to continue the development of the canyoning community and industry in the UK.

Ben was born and bred in Edinburgh; he spent most of his childhood in the hills around Scotland. Ben’s love for the outdoors led him to study a degree in Outdoor Pursuits Management at Glasgow University; here he found his passion for climbing and mountaineering. After his degree he spent some time in the Cairngorms and took an intensive outdoor instructor course covering a range of different activities. 

After a year out traveling around the world and exploring new cultures Ben came back to Scotland in 2010 to work in various outdoor centres. He found himself settling on the Isle of Raasay Outdoor Centre where he worked as an activity instructor, leading on to becoming a senior member of their team.

In 2013 Ben moved to Perthshire, where he brought his rock and water skills together; working as a canyon and raft guide at Nae Limits Adventure Centre. He spent most of his spare time developing his canyoning skills around Scotland, England, Italy, Switzerland and Greece. 

In 2015, Ben joined a canyoning training course delivered by ICOpro (International Canyoning Organisation for Professionals). A short time after this Ben opened The Canyoning Company along with George Yates. Over the last 8 years he has gained valuable experience canyoning and providing canyoning trips and teaching in France, Madeira, Montenegro, Switzerland. 

In recent years Ben and a group of experienced canyoneers and guides from all over the world created V7 Academy; a unique online knowledge base for canyoning technical knowledge available to everyone, it's designed for access on your desktop or mobile device, anywhere, anytime. 

In 2021, Ben help to set up the UKCA became the Chairman of the UKCA and strives to develop canyoning around Scotland and the UK. 

Ben is super passionate about sharing his skills and experience and devoted to developing canyoning in the UK.