In recent years, the concept of the “side hustle” has gained popularity as people seek to supplement their income or pursue their passions outside of their main job. One recent survey from the CV Library found that 58.2% of UK workers plan on taking on a side hustle in 2023, some driven by the cost of living crisis, while others are leveraging online earning opportunities. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring the rise of the side hustle and how your under-utilised outdoor sports kit could become a profitable small business.

Side Hustles in the UK

What is a side hustle? 

A side hustle is defined as, ‘work performed for income supplementary to one’s primary job’. 

The side hustle has been on the rise since the earliest days of the internet. With unlimited digital visibility at their fingertips, workers can now use e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Amazon, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and sell digital products such as online courses and e-Books to supplement their income with ease. In contrast to taking out a loan to fund startup overheads, many side hustles have small startup costs and low-risk investments. 

What triggered the sudden growth of side hustles?

While the ease of setting up a supplementary business contributes to the rise, it is not the primary cause. The global economic situation has led to an increasing number of people looking for ways to make more money. 

The Coronavirus pandemic from 2020-2022 saw many use their additional time at home to start businesses. According to Aviva, 61% claim their side hustle is due to the pandemic, with 30% stating it was to help ‘make ends meet’, while 39% said they used the pandemic as an opportunity to earn money from a hobby. 

In 2023, the cost of living crisis is the primary reason for side hustles, with over 60% looking for ways to earn money alongside their main job. 

What are the most popular side hustles in the UK?

In the UK, there are a number of popular side hustles that people engage in to supplement their income. According to Kindroom via Huffington Post, some popular side hustles include renting out their driveway (70%), renting out a room (64%), renting storage space (39%) and house-sitting/dog-walking (16%).

The Power of Peer-to-Peer Rental Platforms

Peer-to-peer rental platforms, such as Airbnb, Uber and ByRotation, have revolutionised the way people think about renting and owning goods. Instead of letting valuable assets sit idle and gather dust, individuals can now monetise them by renting them out to others through these platforms. 

Advantages of peer-to-peer rental platforms

Peer-to-peer rental platforms offer several benefits for owners, renters, and broader society. Firstly, the owners can monetise their unused assets and generate extra income without having to sell their items outright. This means they have the potential to earn back the cost of the item, enabling them to essentially use it for free. 

Renters, on the other hand, have access to a wider variety of goods at more affordable prices than traditional rental services. 

Finally, rental platforms support the environment, encouraging a circular economy and combating the rise of the ‘throwaway society’. This supports global sustainability initiatives and reduces waste in the long term. 

How to choose a peer-to-peer rental platform for you 

With peer-to-peer rental platforms on the rise, you might be wondering where to start when it comes to renting out your items. If you’re into your fashion, a platform like HURR or By Rotaton could be a great place for you to earn money from your desirable wardrobe. If you have a spare room or apartment, or if you live in an attractive location, you might be able to get started on Airbnb. Consider what assets you have that others might want to use and look for a rental platform to host your items.

If you’re an outdoor sports lover, our platform KitUp could be for you. Specialising in outdoor sports adventure equipment, such as paddle boards, bikes, and ski gear, KitUp provides outdoor adventurers the opportunity to earn a side income from their under-utilised kit. 

What is KitUp?

How KitUp works

KitUp is a UK-based peer-to-peer rental platform that enables individuals to rent out their outdoor sports equipment, such as paddleboards, surfboards, and bikes, to other users. 

To get started with KitUp, owners simply need to create a listing for their sports equipment, including details such as availability, hire price, and pick-up/drop-off locations. 

Renters can then search for equipment in their desired location, view owner ratings and reviews, and request a rental. Owners have the ability to approve or deny rental requests and can coordinate pick-up and drop-off details with renters through our messaging system. 

The types of outdoor sports kit you can rent out

Outdoor kit on KitUp falls into the following categories; Paddle, Surf, Bike, Snow, Trail, Kids and Camp. KitUp’s core values are focused on making outdoor sports accessible and affordable, so we encourage hosts to be considerate when choosing a price for their items.

Tips for a Successful Side Hustle with KitUp

Best practices for renting out your outdoor kit on KitUp

Renting out your outdoor sports equipment can be a great way to earn extra income, but it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure a positive experience for both you and the renters. 

First and foremost, KitUp asks you to ensure that your equipment is in good condition and meets any safety standards or regulations. Take clear and accurate photos of your equipment and provide detailed descriptions in your listings to help renters understand what they’re getting. Consider providing any necessary accessories or equipment, such as locks or helmets, to ensure renters have everything they need for a safe and enjoyable experience. Read more recommendations here.

While use instructions aren’t a requirement, it could be worthwhile providing support or tips on how to use the equipment, especially for more specialized outdoor kit such as paddleboards or kayaks. 

Get started on KitUp today

Ready to start your side hustle, earning money from your outdoor sports equipment and helping others enjoy the outdoors? Get on board with KitUp. It takes under 5 minutes to create your account. 

Click here to create your account today.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time paddle boarder, having the right kit is essential. The other key ingredient you should consider is how you will get the best use of the kit. An experienced instructor is an excellent investment in your outdoor experience, they will help you gain knowledge, maximise the fun, minimise the risk, and probably cost less than you think!

5 Benefits Of Hiring An Instructor

1. Safety: An experienced outdoor instructor can help you stay safe and injury free by teaching you proper techniques for using equipment, navigating terrain, and dealing with unexpected situations.
   
2. Skills development:   Admit it – there’s always room for improvement! By providing personalised instruction and feedback, an instructor will help you refine your techniques and learn new ones, whether you’re interested in hiking, camping, rock climbing, paddle boarding or another activity. Every day is a school day – embrace it and learn something new about your activity the next time you do it.
   
3. Confidence building:  Trying out new equipment or activities can be daunting. An instructor can provide guidance and encouragement to help you feel more confident and capable. Breaking down complex skills into manageable steps and providing positive feedback will help you build the confidence to tackle new challenges and enjoy the outdoors more.
   
4. Personalised instruction: You can watch YouTube Videos all day long, but they won’t give you feedback on whether you are doing it right or wrong. You have unique needs, and an outdoor instructor will tailor their instruction to your needs and goals.
   
5. Insider knowledge: An experienced instructor often has insider knowledge about local conditions, hidden gems, and the best times to visit certain areas.   They often have excellent local knowledge of the wildlife and flora in the area. They will point out interesting species, teach you about the area’s ecology, and help you appreciate the natural beauty.

How Do I Find A GOOD Instructor?

Finding an instructor using google search methods can be difficult as many outdoor instructors work independently and don’t have large marketing budgets. You can apply to join multiple Facebook groups, but instead, we recommend using a directory website like the Outdoor Activity Directory, which lists Freelance Instructors by area and activity. To keep choices simple, use this 4 point check list:

1. Qualifications. Look for an instructor with the relevant qualifications for the activity you want to undertake.   Accrediting bodies issue qualifications that have official training and assessment programmes. However, instructors tend to abbreviate the qualification names, such as ML for Mountain Leader, and abbreviations can make it difficult if you are unfamiliar with them. The Outdoor Activity Directory lists many of the Outdoor Instructor Qualifications and their common abbreviations to help you.
   
2. Availability. Where is the instructor based, and how far are they willing to travel to meet with you (or visa versa)? Most instructors have areas they know best, and going to these areas will probably be cheaper and enable you to expand your knowledge of the suitable regions for your activity. Be flexible with your requested day/time if possible, as most instructors do individual instructing part-time and only work on certain days of the week. You will also find that weekends in the Summer fill up quickly with work from regular customers or activity centres.
   
3. Recommendations & Reviews. Word of mouth from people you trust is the best recommendation you can get, so ask around within your friendship or work groups to see if anyone has used an Outdoor Instructor recently.   
   
   Failing that, you need to look at their reviews online but be careful it is surprisingly easy to generate fake reviews. Instead, look for reviews from an independent source such as Google, Facebook, Trip Advisor or Trust Pilot, including details on what they did with the instructor.
   
   5 * – “Joe Bloggs was brilliant – a great day.”
   
   5 * – “I am a new paddle boarder, and Joe was excellent at introducing me to the basics while giving my husband more challenging things to do.”
   
   The first review tells you nothing about how Joe works or what he did, and to be honest, Joe probably loved the review, but from your point of view, it’s useless.   The second review lets you know that Joe is good at beginner and improvement coaching – and can do both simultaneously!
   
4. Safety. Safety should probably be the first bullet, not the last. However, if an instructor has qualifications, they will have demonstrated the correct approach to safety during their assessment.
   
   If you are in doubt or have concerns, ask for an Activity Risk Assessment to gauge the safety approach of an instructor quickly. The Risk Assessment should include awareness of potential risks, the severity and likelihood of them happening, what the instructor does to reduce their risk, and the procedures should something go wrong. All good instructors will have these, so the alarm bells should be ready to ring if you have problems getting them!

How Much Does This Cost?

The cost of an instructor will depend mainly on their experience and qualifications, the distance you want them to travel and their availability will also play a part.

If you require beginner instruction and are willing to travel to their preferred location, then costs will probably start from around £150 a day. If you don’t want a whole day, expect to pay around £30-£40 an hour.

Instructors can work with more than one person at once, so you can split costs between a group of friends, or pay on a per-person basis if you are part of a larger group.

Freelance instructors are a great way to keep the costs down for a group booking for a corporate event, hen, or stag do. They can usually find additional instructors in their network if your group size is too large, (but only if you give them enough time).

Find Your Outdoor Instructor Now

Today is World Book Day, so we thought it was the perfect time to share some of our favourites with you. you will notice that most are based on either Adventure or Sustainability (I’m sure you are surprised!) but they also tell great stories about the drive, skill and sheer determination of many amazing people. 🌄 🌊 ⛰️ 🌲

1. The World’s Toughest Races

This book is enough to inspire anyone to pull a pair of trainers on and head out the door for a jog. From the famous Marathon des Sables to races across Iceland and the South American rainforests, there are some very serious bucket-list races in here. You can pick it up second hand HERE.

2. Blue Mind

For any Ocean lover or anyone interested in the complexities of human happiness, this book explains why so many of us are continuously drawn back to the Ocean. It analyses that feeling of total relaxation and wonder that we get when by the Sea and unpicks the science behind it. You can pick it up second hand HERE.

3. Ill Met By Moonlight

In 1944, 2 young Army Officers parachuted into Crete in the middle of the night with the mission of crossing the island, blending in with the locals and capturing a German General. This is a day-by-day diary of W. S. Moss as he embarked on this crazy adventure. We won’t give too much away, but go out and get this one now. You will love it. You can pick it up second hand HERE.

4. What We Need To Do Now

Many countries, including the UK have signed up to being entirely Carbon Neutral by 2050. Many people know what this means, but how exactly do we do that? Chris explains, sector by sector, what will need to happen in the UK in order to meet this political statement. It is a serious but uplifting read. The general theme is that it is entirely possible, from shipping and aviation through to farming. We just need to get moving now and must be prepared to commit the necessary funds to doing it. You can pick it up second hand HERE.

5. Surfing The World

A great gift for any surfer, Surfing The World gives you a literary tour of the best 80 waves on the planet. It goes into detail about the surfing culture in different places, great tips about local places to stay and about other places to explore along the way. Just a great book if you want some surf-related travel inspiration (stunning photographs too!). Pick it up secondhand HERE.

6. Deep Survival

This is about Adventurers around the world getting on the wrong side of nature. It goes into why some accidents prove to be fatal whereas others are not. It is a really interesting insight into the human potential to survive as well as the importance of being prepared and having the right amount of experience. It looks at the risks that certain people took, why they should never have taken them and then what the awful results were. A great way to learn, we certainly took a lot of tips from this, particularly when skiing and climbing at high altitudes. A great read for any adventurer. Pick it up secondhand HERE.

7. Rewilding The Sea

After spending more than 20 years as the Environment Editor at The Daily Telegraph, Charles Clover co-founded Blue Marine Foundation, an impactful and influential marine conservation charity. This book highlights many of the incredible results that Rewilding has had around The British Isles, in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. Rewilding is about not just protecting a species but protecting entire areas and allowing nature to recover. It not only has remarkable benefits for biodiversity but also allows the ocean to perform far better at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping reduce the impacts of climate change. Pick it up secondhand HERE.

8. Let My People Go Surfing

The famous philosophy of Yvon Chouinard and Patagonia Inc. This was never intended to be published as a book but was meant to be a hand rail for employees to fully understand and embrace what their company stood for. It was a way of getting the values of Patagonia through to everyone that worked for the company. This book teaches us many great lessons, not just about the need to care for the environment and build responsible products but also to really look after our people. Patagonia have been at the heart of so many people-first policies like being the first US company to implement maternity leave, bring kids into work and “let their people go surfing” whenever the swell was in. This was the beginning of flexible working. Pick it up secondhand HERE.

9. Training For The New Alpinism

Anyone interested in getting fit for mountain sports needs to get this mannual. It is more of a text book than anything and is filled with science about exactly how to get yourself in alpine shape! So much of this is about aerobic capacity building and being able to maintain a low heart rate for longer – as soon as your heart rate increases you breathe more intensely and work up a sweat (2 things you want to try and minimise when high up and in sub-zero temperatures). You can pick it up second hand HERE.

10. Mountains Of The Gods

A beautiful coffee-table book about the history and geology of the wonderful Himalayan Mountains. It goes into great detail around how the range was formed and what makes the peaks so formidable and attractive to climbers. It later goes into some of the earliest exploration in the area. This would be a great gift for any climber, mountaineer, geologist or historian. You can pick it up second hand HERE.

To navigate back to the KitUp app, click HERE.

Staying Safe with Miles Hill

Welcome to ‘KitUp Stories’, a community that prides itself on our love of the outdoors. Every 2 weeks we will send out another story that will focus on adventure ideas, environmental issues, individual achievements and advice from the experts.

For our first issue, we tackle mountain safety! We can see from Tormod’s adventures (left) that storm Eunice brought some great winter conditions to the UK, but how can we minimise the risk of weather, cold and avalanche threat whilst out in the hills?

Miles Hill (below) has 20+ years of mountain experience, 8 of which have been working in mountain rescue. Earlier today we spoke to him about staying safe whilst enjoying the snow.

There is a common misconception that avalanches are only a serious threat in places like the Alps. In actual fact the risk of avalanche in British conditions can be even higher because of how unstable our weather systems can be in the winter months. From quickly looking at the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (https://www.sais.gov.uk/) we can see that there have been 8 recorded avalanches in the last 48 hours and over 200 this season! Now that we know this, lets speak to Miles and find out how we can properly manage the risk.

Miles, how real is the threat of avalanche in the UK and why do they happen?

“The threat is very real, although many never expect it to happen because the volumes of snow are less than in alpine environments. Our snow is wet and heavy which means that is doesn’t take much to form blocks of ice. As it is often shallow, avalanches tend to contain rocks and trees as well as ice. It is this debris that leads to serious injury. The most common is what we call spontaneous release, usually because of drastic changes in temperature and wind. That being said, we do see skiers and climbers triggering avalanches in the back-country”.

Miles, what are the main risks when exploring the mountains after storm Eunice?

“The risks differ between environments. In the mountains the wind will have created overhangs called cornices that may collapse, triggering what is called a wind-slab avalanche. This is because the wind has picked up the snow on one side of the mountain and dropped it on the other, making the snow unstable. In Moorlands and forested areas the risks will continue to be wind-based; trees coming down and debris being picked up. Many of these areas are just not used to such strong winds”.

How can we all stay safe and recognise these dangers?

“People need to plan properly and understand the risks. Check the forecasts, understand your own abilities and if in doubt, make the decision to turn around and go home, there is always next time! Local guides are a great way of building your own knowledge as they are so familiar with the area and conditions”.

What are the most common mistakes and how can we avoid them?

“A lot of climbers that I meet go out in winter conditions without transceivers, shovels or probes. These are essential to rescue anyone in an avalanche, so be prepared. A transceiver will get people to you, the probe will find you and the shovel will get you out alive. Always expect to be self-reliant in the hills. If the conditions get too bad, mountain rescue might not be able to get to you for some time”.

For those that want to get more expertise in operating in the backcountry, what courses would you recommend?

“First point of call, speak to local guides. They have so much knowledge and its great to support local businesses. For further info, the John Conville Trust run great courses with the British Mountaineering Council”. Both links can be found below :

Resources for Mountain Safety

– Snow and avalanche forecast for the UK: this is a MUST when planning to head out for any activity: www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/uk

– British Mountaineering Council: basic avalanche awareness: www.thebmc.co.uk/hill-skills-avalanche-awareness

– The John Conville Trust: providing young people with mountaineering courses: https://www.jcmt.org.uk/

– Ski Club of GB: how to manage the terrain and people when out ski-touring and mountaineering: www.skiclub.co.uk/info-and-advice/off-piste-and-touring