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

• 2 candidates minimum (temporary change)
• 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

• 1 staff : 4 candidates.

Additional Course Staff Award

Climbing Wall Development Instructor or higher.

Please see Course Staff Requirements in the Leadership Award Quality Manual for further guidance.