UK governing bodies by sport

Each sport we cover has an official body that sets its standards, training awards and safety rules. This page lists them for all 15 sports, with a link to each website. Some sports also use well-known international agencies alongside the UK body.

For the training stages in each sport, see UK qualifications by sport.

1. Mountaineering, climbing and coasteering

• British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The recognised governing body for mountaineering, climbing and hill walking in England and Wales.
• Mountain Training. Runs the walking, climbing and mountaineering leader and instructor awards.
• National Coasteering Charter (NCC). Sets standards for coasteering providers and runs the Coasteering Guide Award.

2. Scuba diving

• British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC). The recognised UK governing body for sub-aqua diving.

PADI and SSI are also widely used in the UK.

3. Paragliding

• British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA).

4. Mountain biking

• British Cycling.

5. Wakeboarding

• British Water Ski and Wakeboard (BWSW).

6. Skydiving

• British Skydiving.

7. Motocross

• Auto-Cycle Union (ACU).

8. Kiteboarding

• British Kitesports Association (BKSA).

IKO, an international agency, is also widely used.

9. Wingsuit flying

• British Skydiving. Wingsuit flying is a skydiving discipline, under British Skydiving rules and grades.

10. Skateboarding and BMX

• Skateboard GB. Describes itself as the national governing body for skateboarding. The UK sports councils do not list a recognised body for skateboarding in England.
• British Cycling. For BMX.

11. Surfing

• Surfing England. The recognised governing body for surfing in England.

12. BASE jumping

There is no UK governing body for BASE jumping. British Skydiving's rules do not cover jumps from a fixed object, and it does not treat them as skydiving. You build experience as a skydiver first, and first-jump courses usually run abroad.

13. Snowboarding and skiing

• Snowsport England. The recognised governing body for skiing and snowboarding in England.
• GB Snowsport. The UK-wide body for snowsport.
• British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI). Runs the ski and snowboard instructor qualifications.

14. Kayaking and rafting

• Paddle UK. The governing body for paddlesport in England, formerly British Canoeing.

15. Hang gliding

• British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA).

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Some sports have their own body in each home nation. For example, paddlers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have Paddle Scotland, Paddle Cymru and Paddle Northern Ireland, and Scotland has Snowsport Scotland and the Scottish Surfing Federation. The bodies above are UK-wide or cover England.

Before you book

Each governing body's website has the latest rules, safety advice and course requirements for its sport. Read it before you book a course, because requirements can change.

The club map lists some UK clubs, centres and schools. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.