VISITORS to Hartlepool Civic Centre and the adjoining Law Courts are advised that essential repair work will start shortly at the front entrance to the building. From next week (w/c 6th February)
A to Z of services: Licence - Water Sports
Licence - Water Sports: Outline
Hartlepool Borough Council has no enforcement responsibility for the licensing of watersports, however the following information will be of assistance.
The Activities Licensing Regulations 2004 require providers of certain adventure activities to undergo inspection of their safety management systems and become licensed.
This licensing scheme only applies to those who offer activities to young people under the age of 18 years and who operate these activities in a commercial manner.
Generally, licensing only applies to these activities when they are done in remote or isolated environments. For example, climbing on natural terrain requires a licence, climbing on a purpose built climbing wall does not.
The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority inspects activity centres and other activity providers on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills (DfES). If the Licensing Authority is satisfied that the provider complies with nationally accepted standards of good practice they issue a licence.
Activities covered include:
- Climbing
- Watersports
- Trekking
- Caving








