About The SHAC

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The SHAC (Surrey Hills Adventure Company) was born in 2013 as the brainchild of founder member Skip Innes. The original purpose of the SHAC was to re-engage adults and children with nature at the time of the digital explosion within society. 

When the SHAC was first imagined, Skip and Julie’s young children and their friends were becoming immersed in computer games and social media at a time when it was evident that the digital world could be addictive for us all. Having grown up in The Surrey Hills with a love of our picturesque surroundings, Skip and Julie set out on a mission to offer an antidote to digitalization and restore balance to people’s lives through outdoor activities and adventures.  

At the outset The SHAC offered woodland activities from their primary Woodland Camp at Belmont School in Holmbury St Mary and mountain bike training sessions in the Surrey Hills.  Over the years the SHAC have added to the selection of activities they offer, incorporating an extensive water element to their offerings in the form of open water swimming and SUP (stand up paddleboarding).  The SHAC has also grown from being a small, family run business into a fully fledged team of like-minded people with a wealth of knowledge and experience in outdoor education and adventures.

The ethos is still the same as it was in the beginning, to reconnect people with nature and outdoors through activities and adventure and we are always trying to find ways to reach more people and get them out with us too.

Birtley Adventures in the Surrey Hills
Paul Wright profile picture
Paul Wright
18 November 2025
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Went for open water swim this morning - staff were so welcoming. Felt really safe throughout - great experience …. Definately going to make this a regular 👍
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Oli Jones
13 November 2025
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As always friendly and supportive. Safe without being overbearing. The helpful chap greeting us today was a shining example of awesomeness.
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Louise Shorthose
7 October 2025
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Most therapeutic place to go for a swim
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Katie Nyman
14 September 2025
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Great day. Big swim!!! Feeling fab. Great gang at team SHAC and a big shout out for Julie. Throughly enjoyed myself
Salman Shahrezaei profile picture
Salman Shahrezaei
14 September 2025
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Great place for paddle board. You need to spend 20 minutes on training if it is your first time. So if you book a 1-hour session you only he e 40 minutes to enjoy in the big lake. Good parking. Changing room. There is a cafe as well.
AMANDA EVERETT profile picture
AMANDA EVERETT
29 August 2025
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Love this place I wild swim at least 4 times a week , and that means no entrance fee is paid as it’s separate to Buckland park The staff are incredible and you feel so safe Julie/ Grant and Natalie and all the team are always so friendly and the environment is so conducive to your mental health and you leave feeling invigorated . Also I often go by myself but you are never alone this community is incredible Can’t recommend it enough Mandy
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S B
29 August 2025
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The SHAC children’s paddle boarding sessions here are great fun. The coaches are professional and ensure each child is looked after. You are taught what to do on the beach so you are well informed before you get into the water. Parking is easy and straightforward plus there are plenty of areas to sit and watch.
Emma profile picture
Emma
28 August 2025
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What a truly relaxing experience for my very first Sound Bath, highly recommend the floating sound bath down at The Shac. Can’t wait for the next one.
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Emma Rothwell
26 August 2025
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Been swimming here for 4 years and it is truly like my 2nd home. The team who run The SHAC are exceptional and I can’t recommend it highly enough. 10/10
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