American Mountain Guides Association Climbing Wall Instructor Certification Course

This course addresses the basic technical skills necessary to manage an instructional program at a climbing facility. The course length is a minimum of 20 hours of instruction, skills demonstration, and evaluation, typically run over 2.5 days.

Appropriate for:

Climbing Gyms
Scout Troop Leaders
Schools / Universities
Summer Camp Counselors
All professional wall operators
Health & Wellness Centers
Recreation Centers
YMCA facilities

Topics include:

Client orientation and instruction
Teaching general climbing skills including movement
Teaching top-rope belay skills
Teaching lead climbing and lead belay skills (optional)
Equipment and facility use
Rescue and emergency procedures
Site and risk management indoors

Benefits:

AMGA CWI Course Manual
Thorough assessment of candidates knowledge, skills and presentation
3 year CWI Certification and AMGA membership
Access to the AMGA professional discount programs

Prerequisites:

NEW for 2015 per AMGA: must be an AMGA member at the “Professional” level, which is $80 for a 1 year membership
1 year climbing experience or 20 climbing outings in the past 12 months
Must be 16 years to participate and 18 years for certification
You are 18 years old (person 16 to 17 may take the course and will receive a letter of completion of the course, if completed successfully)
You have at least one year document personal climbing experience (a minimum of 20 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors in the last 12 months)
You are able to climb 5.9 on top rope and lead 5.8 for AMGA CWI Lead certification
You are able to climb 5.7 on top rope for AMGA CWI Top Rope certification
You understand proper use of personal climbing equipment, including shoes, harness, belay device, carabiners, rope, cordage and slings