WAExpo features a programme jam-packed with unmissable adventure. Our Main Stage speakers will have you hanging on the edge of your seat and our workshops will help equip you to take your adventure dreams and make them a reality.
Here is what to expect at WAExpo2017:
The Amazing Squash Falconer is our WAExpo 2017 Host! Adventurer, speaker and presenter, Squash say’s “I believe I was born on a lucky and brilliant daybeacuse Im a naturally happy and very positive person, however, on that day I also believe someone said, let’s have a laugh and remove the part of the brain that says, you mustn’t do that, it’s impossible”.
Be warned: all these workshops will make you want to get fit for adventure, and carry a serious risk of turning your dreams of adventure into a reality. Life may never be the same again!
The KEEN Adventure Sessions are a series of workshops, led by amazing women, each with an incredible and inspiring story. Hosted by the fantastic Laura Kennington you will hear stories of solo travel, long distance hikes, and taking your passion and turning it into an adventure. The one thing each session has in common is accessibility, each story shared will show not every great adventure cost thousands of pounds in sponsorship, or takes a year to plan. The KEEN’s Adventure Sessions speakers will share their experience and expertise and demonstrate that nothing needs to come in-between you and your adventure!
With adventures ranging from solo kayaking in Russia and solo cycling the world’s longest coastal route in Ireland, to circumnavigating 3 of the Channel Islands as part of a rather extreme triathlon and running the length of Fuerteventura, if there’s one thing that Laura is certain of, it’s that we’re all capable of much more than we realise. Laura’s talk will focus on the importance of mindset when it comes to challenges of any kind - from the planning and logistics that go on behind the scenes, to unlocking the endurance capability of the human body and how to deal with the unexpected!
TrailFit is a movement. A phenomenon. It’s about staying fit and finding your fit anywhere without a ceiling. You don’t need a tent, just intent to get out, push yourself, and reach new heights. Earn a better view of the world, of yourself. TrailFit is for the incline inclined, for those ready to charge on any trail they choose. Exercise Isn’t All About The Gym! Adventurous women get outside and join us for a fitness revolution…
Win an exclusive spot on our Bristol TrailFit event, the day after WAExpo 2017
Want an adventure? There’s one waiting for you at the local park. So, are you staying in town after WAExpo 2017 for the weekend? On Sunday, 8th October we’re running an exclusive TrailFit event in Bristol, organized just for the participants of the Women Adventure Expo.
This is a fantastic workout with KEEN Ambassador Laura Kennington, and each participant will get their own Terradora boots to take home!!
Register here and you will have the chance to win one of only 10 spots on our TrailFit event, on Sunday 8th of October.
After this workout, you will be ready to get fit for your next adventure. Whether it be walking in your park, hiking your nearest countryside or pounding the city streets. Making time to work out in your local space can easily turn your exercise routine into a daily adventure, and elevate your fitness on any trail you choose.
To enter it’s super easy, just fill out the details below to have your chance of joining us!
The winners will get notified by the 29th of September by e-mail, with all the needed info.
The workout will be accessible for everybody, even if you are a beginner. But if you’re not a beginner, no worries, we’ll make sure you find it challenging as well. We would advise you to come in sportswear, appropriate for the weather conditions that day.
Find out more about TrailFit and the KEEN Terradora.
WAExpo loves encouraging women to feel more confident about outdoor adventure, and we understand that knowledge is a key part of building confidence. Our WAExpo team are often asked questions which start with “How do I…”, so we have gathered together some of the most popular topics, and asked four experts in their field to share their answers.
In these sessions we’re covering adventures for mothers, the joys of open water swimming, how to share your adventures and get published, plus key tips for outdoor survival. For all those with questions, this is your opportunity to find some answers!
We are delighted to announce this year’s Panel will be Adventure with Purpose – A focus on Plastic Pollution. Our panel is sponsored by Bristol Waste Company, who are committed to working in partnership with the people of Bristol to help all communities recycle more, and throw away less. Read More about Bristol Waste here.
Our panel will feature some great adventure projects, raising awareness and doing something about plastic pollution in our seas and waterways. We will discuss adventure with purpose, and practical solutions to plastic pollution problems, that we can all get involved with.
Our four Panel Members will be interviewed about their experience, share their ideas and discuss what they have learnt on their adventures.
Women’s Adventure Expo are partnering with British Exploration Society to bring a Careers in Adventure Hub to WAExpo 2017. For those of you who are interested in working full time, part time or volunteering in the adventure and expedition industry, the Careers in Adventure Hub will have many ideas and suggestion of where to start, what’s available and possible routes to take. Also, find out about a number of relevant courses, and training options available to further your career in adventure.
British Exploring is a youth development charity which works through intensive expedition programmes with a wide range of young people to help them develop the resilience, determination and self-belief to succeed in life. We give young people access to remarkable experiences in both the UK and overseas wilderness locations (in 2017 we explored the Peruvian Amazon, Indian Himalaya, Canadian Yukon as well as visiting Iceland, Namibia and Spain) which help them understand how capable they are, and that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
Our leader teams have a wide range of skills, high levels of professionalism and years of experience and through hard work and attention to detail we make our expedition programmes exceptional. We use a tried and tested model, but for each young person the learning journey is unique and transformational.
Click on the image to find out more about our WAExpo 2017 Sponsors
We are delighted that our friends at Boundless Betty are supporting WAExpo 2017 with Aluminium Water Bottles! So, no need for single use plastic cups!
Make sure you pick up your Boundless Betty Water Bottle when you arrive at WAExpo 2017, fill it up, use throughout the day, and beyond! The water Bottles will be available in the main event suite, situated near the entrance.
Boundless Betty is an online booking platform, showcasing fantastic adventures and retreats. Visitors can search through an incredible assortment of unique adventures, book and easily make payment through a fully secure platform, or make wish lists and share.
The site also offers a blog featuring travel advice, inspirational women’s stories, independent gear and trip reviews, packing lists and much more.
Check out Boundless Betty here.
Win a years subscription to Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, a kit bag full of swim gear from Zoggs and 2 tickets to WAExpo 2017!
At WAExpo 2017 A Lotus Rises, the swim blog for women who love open water will be delivering their Guide to Open Water Swimming. Never afraid to tackle the important issues, we’ve all got together with Outdoor Swimmer Magazine and Zoggs to try and answer one of the biggest questions in open water swimming - What makes the best #SwimSelfie? and of course we love supporting your swim adventures, whatever they may be!
Submit your pics on Twitter or Facebook, by tagging and following @WAEXPO and @ALotus_Rises , with the hashtag #swimselfie for your chance to win a years subscription to Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, a Kit Bag full of swim gear from Zoggs (1 x swim cozzie from a choice of three, the excellent predator goggles, swim hat, ear plugs, and towel), and 2 tickets to WAExpo 2017! What are you waiting for, go find your pic, or grab your cozzie, friends and camera, and find your nearest open water!
The winner will be announced on Social Media Monday 2nd October, Good Luck!
This year, for the first time, we are holding a Gala Dinner, after WAExpo 2017, on Saturday 7th October. The Gala Dinner will be held at Mshed, on the historic Bristol harbourside, starting at 7pm with a Himalayan themed welcome drink, followed by a three course dinner, and talk by inspirational young mountaineer Mollie Hughes. Our charity partners for the event are Empowering Women of Nepal and PHASE Worldwide. Raffle tickets will be on sale on the night with some fabulous prizes and all proceeds going to the charities. Find out more about the Gala Dinner HERE.
Love Her Wild offers opportunities and inspiration to help women find more adventure in their lives. Over the next year their focus is on providing unique and exciting adventures and expeditions for women, to help them grow in confidence and meet other like-minded women.
After WAExpo 2017 our friends at Lover Her Wild will be hosting a drinks and networking social at the Mud Dock Cafe, so you can continue chatting, swapping details and sharing adventures. Find out more HERE.
On Sunday 8th October Women’s Adventure Expo’s friends and partners will be hosting a selection of fantastic activities around Bristol. So, don’t book your train ticket to early, or plan your drive back until the evening! Stay and make the most of this awesome weekend and try something new after WAExpo 2017.
Register above for your chance to win a place on the KEEN TrailFit Session with Laura Kennington. TrailFit is a movement. A phenomenon. It’s about staying fit and finding your fit anywhere without a ceiling. You don’t need a tent, just intent to get out, push yourself, and reach new heights. Earn a better view of the world, of yourself. TrailFit is for the incline inclined, for those ready to charge on any trail they choose. Exercise Isn’t All About The Gym! Adventurous women get outside and join us for a fitness revolution…
This is a fantastic workout with KEEN Ambassador Laura Kennington, and each participant will get their own Terradora boots to take home!!
Only 10 places available, secure your chance to win and register above!
We are delighted to announce that our good friends at TCA are offering FREE Bouldering and Rope Climbing sessions on Sunday 8th October for WAExpo 2017 ticket holders. You can choose to either boulder at The Climbing Academy, or rope climb at Undercover Rock. Taster sessions are available for those who are new to climbing and want to give it a try, while competent climbers can turn up during opening hours on Sunday the 8th October, and register to climb on the day.
Plus, watch out for news on climbing with WAExpo 2017 speaker Anoushe Husian! More information coming shortly on session available and how to book!
Click on the links below for more information, taster session times and how to book.
Book Here for Rope Climbing
Book Here for Bouldering
As part of WAEXPO 2017, Secret Compass will be offering introductory sessions to packrafting in Bristol Harbour on Sunday 8th October. Adventure’s latest mode of transport, packrafts are transforming untamed rivers into pioneering new waterways. These versatile inflatable dinghies are integral to Secret Compass Gabon expedition, where team mates tackle waterlogged jungle by foot and navigating its rapids by packraft to cross the equator. To find out more about Packrafting adventure, follow Secret Compass on Facebook and Twitter.
The Secret Compass packrafting taster sessions are exclusively for WAEXPO ticket holders. Registration for the activity is free, quick and easy. Just enter your details, choose your session time and show us your WAEXPO e-ticket on the day. There will be 2 sessions, each up to 2 hours long. Packrafts, paddles and buoyancy aids will be provided, so all you’ll need is some waterproofs, an adventurous spirit and no adversity to getting a little wet! Although ending up in the harbour out of your packraft is unlikely, the same can’t be said for the weather. Dress for a potentially rainy day, it is an October weekend in Bristol after all!
With only 7 spaces available for each session, Don’t delay! This activity is expected to fill up fast, so be quick to reserve your space to avoid disappointment. Click here to book : Secret Compass Bristol Packrafting Adventure
Freedome of Mind, in association with Women’s Adventure Expo CIC are delighted to announce a workshop exploring why adventure can make us feel so good! Plus, how to use our character strengths to get the most out of our adventures, and managing our fears in difficult situations.
In this interactive workshop, led by Mark from Freedom of Mind and Emma from Women’s Adventure Expo, we will explore the links between adventure and mental wellbeing, and discover wellbeing tools through sharing stories and small group work.
The workshop is FREE to attend. Open to adventurers (and armchair adventurers) of all kinds and all ages.
Taking place on Sun 8th October at The Foundation, Lower Ground Floor (Triodos Bank), St George’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5B. 10am for 10:30 start, finishing at approximately 12:30pm.
We’re excited to bring you this brand-new workshop, which looks sure to stimulate rich and inspiring conversation! See you there!
Please register for your ticket here.
For more information on Freedom of Mind, please click here.
There are rest room facilities throughout the venue, and cloakrooms available in the Women’s Adventure Expo event suite. There are a number of great cafés and restaurants in the immediate area.
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Access to the building is designed with those with limited mobility and wheelchair users in mind, and our venue is fully accessible, with lifts on all floors. For more information on access for those with hearing loss, blindness and partially sighted visitors please use this link. Venue Info
Doors open at 9.00am on the 7th October 2017 and the Welcome Address starts at 10.00am. There will be time to find your seats and say a quick hello to familiar faces before the main programme begins at 9.55am. The event closes at 5.00pm and details of The Women’s Adventure Expo Gala Dinner and the Love Her Wild post event social are on the WAExpo 2017 web page.
