21. Those taking part in adventure sport tend to be motivated by self-sufficiency and the challenge of risk. However, organisers are responsible for ensuring the safe delivery of the activity within the norms of the sport, bearing in mind that by nature they are not necessarily risk-free and that the experience and ability of the participants is highly variable.
22. Risk is inherent to the adventure sports events, although different sports, different countries and different event organisers will take varying approaches to the management of risk.
23. The nature of the challenge must be clearly and unambiguously communicated to participants so that they understand what they are letting themselves in for! A Skyrunning event that incorporates mountain running and rock climbing is totally different to a valley-based trail run, yet both are off road running events.
24. Just as in mainstream sports, such as motor or cycle racing, there is an element of risk when participating. Indeed, participants are occasional seriously injured or killed, but very few people would argue that they should be banned because they are inherently dangerous. Within these sports, the organiser’s take measures to mitigate the risks without altering the fundamental challenge, for example, by requiring participants to wear helmets.
25. Likewise, adventure sport events should require participants to take certain and appropriate precautions, such as carrying or wearing appropriate clothing and equipment.
26. Similarly, organisers of adventure sports events have responsibility to put in place the rules, logistics, support and safety measures that enable the event to happen but without creating in additional risk.