The Rock Climbing Development Instructor scheme is for experienced instructors wishing to develop a participant’s rock climbing proficiency. This development may extend to lead climbing.
Course Director
All courses must be delivered by an approved course director. For course director responsibilities please see the Leadership Schemes Quality Manual.
Scope of the scheme
A qualified Rock Climbing Development Instructor can:
Develop individuals to lead rock climbs in a single pitch environment using leader placed (traditional climbing) and equipped (sport climbing) protection.
A qualification holder can operate on:
- Single pitch trad and sport crags
- Indoor and outdoor bouldering venues
- Climbing walls & towers
A single pitch venue is:
- Described as single pitch in a guidebook
- Allows climbers to be lowered to the ground
- Non-tidal and has little objective danger
- Presents no difficulties on approach or retreat, such as route finding, scrambling or navigating
The scheme does not cover:
- General mountaineering
- Multi-pitch rock climbing
- Access to tidal sea cliffs or any other location where retreat is not easily possible
Registration
Registration for the Rock Climbing Development Instructor scheme is an application process.
Candidate Registration Requirements
- Be a qualified Rock Climbing Instructor
- Must have delivered a minimum of 20 days as a Rock Climbing Instructor at a variety of venues and with a variety of groups, recorded in DLOG
- Have led a minimum of 60 named single pitch routes using leader placed protection in three different climbing areas at VS 4c or above and logged them in DLOG.
- Must have led a minimum of 60 sport climbs in three different climbing areas at 6a or above and logged them in DLOG. Up to 50% of this experience can be outside the UK and Ireland.
Training Course
Candidate requirements
- They must be registered on the scheme
Minimum Course Duration
- Delivered over a minimum of 4 days
Group Size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 8 candidates maximum.
Staffing Ratio
- 1 staff : 4 candidates.
Additional Course Staff requirements
Rock Climbing Development Instructor or higher, plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements. Please see course staff requirements in the Leadership Schemes Quality Manual area for further guidance.
Assessment Course
Candidate Requirements (gained between training and assessment)
- Have attended a Rock Climbing Development Instructor training course or been granted exemption from training.
- Have logged a minimum of 10 rock climbing teaching days with students at a variety of outdoor venues.
- Have led a minimum of 30 single pitch routes using leader placed protection in three different climbing areas at VS 4c or above and recorded them in DLOG.
- Have led a minimum of 30 sport climbs in three different climbing areas at 6a or above and recorded them in DLOG
- Hold a valid first aid certificate.
Minimum Course Duration
- 24 hours
- Delivered over a minimum of 3 days.
Group Size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 8 candidates maximum.
Staffing Ratio
- 1 staff : 4 candidates.
Additional Course Staff requirements
Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor or higher plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements
Please see Course Staff Requirements in the Leadership Schemes Quality Manual area for further guidance.
