CLIMBING WALL INSTRUCTOR and ABSEIL MODULE INFO
This scheme is for experienced indoor climbers wishing to teach climbing on climbing walls.
Scheme Handbook Latest version 1.2 uploaded 12/12/2018
Course Director
All courses must be delivered by an approved course director. For course director responsibilities please see the Leadership Award Quality Manual.
Scope of the award
A qualified award holder can:
- Teach climbing skills
- Take people climbing and bouldering
- Manage groups safely in these activities
A qualified award holder can operate on:
- Indoor and outdoor artificial bouldering venues
- Indoor and outdoor climbing walls
The scheme does not cover:
- The rock climbing skills needed to climb and/or supervise others on natural crags and quarries (these are covered in the Rock Climbing Instructor scheme)
- Multi-pitch rock climbing skills
- The teaching or supervision of leading
- The use of leader-placed protection
- The supervision of high or low ropes courses
- The supervision of ice climbing walls, including dry tooling
- The assessment of candidates’ personal qualities
REGISTRATION
Candidate Registration Requirements
- Be at least 17 years old (18 at assessment).
- Have at least 6 months of experience of using a variety of climbing walls.
- Have an interest in climbing and in supervising groups on climbing walls.
- Be a member of a mountaineering council.
TRAINING COURSE
Candidate Requirements
- Be registered on the scheme.
- Have recorded visits to 3 different climbing walls on at least 15 different occasions; this must include at least one major public wall.
- Have led 10 routes at Fr 4 on walls.
- Have an understanding of the wider sport of climbing.
Candidates must complete a Climbing Wall Instructor training course before attending an Abseil Module training course.
Minimum Course Duration
- 12 hours
- Delivered in a 2 day programme or up to three sessions delivered within a three-month period.
- The course must visit two climbing walls, one of which must be a public facility.
- 4 hours for the Abseil Module. Delivered either as an addition to a Climbing Wall Instructor training course or separately.
Group Size
- 4 candidates minimum.
- 12 candidates maximum.
- Staffing Ratio
- 1 staff : 6 candidates.
Additional Course Staff Award
Climbing Wall Instructor/Rock Climbing Instructor (incl. Single Pitch Award) or higher. Please see course staff requirements in the Leadership Award Quality Manual area for further guidance.
ASSESSMENT COURSE
Candidate Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have attended a Climbing Wall Instructor training course (or have been granted exemption).
- Be familiar with the syllabus.
- Have logged a minimum of 30 visits to at least three different climbing walls.
- Have led a minimum of 40 climbs on climbing walls.
- Be confident at leading routes at Fr 4.
- Have assisted in the supervision of at least 15 instructed sessions on at least two different walls, including a large public facility, in a variety of contexts. At least five of these sessions must have personal reflective comments recorded on DLOG.
- Hold a current first aid certificate, minimum 8 hours and relevant to your work as a Climbing Wall Instructor holder.
Candidates must pass a Climbing Wall Instructor assessment course before attending an Abseil Module assessment course.
Minimum Course Duration
- 6 hours.
- Delivered in a day.
- 2 hours for the Abseil Module. Delivered either immediately after a Climbing Wall Instructor assessment course or separately.
Group Size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 8 candidates maximum.
Staffing Ratio
Additional Course Staff Award
Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor or higher.
Please see Course Staff Requirements in the Leadership Award Quality Manual for further guidance.