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Why the Climbing Wall Association?
The Climbing Wall Association is a non-profit membership association whose mission is to support the development of the climbing wall industry, to promote the sport of climbing, and to advocate for its members. It is currently the only organization of its kind in the United States. The CWA's network includes over 400 private climbing gyms, college programs, athletic clubs, and recreation facilities; as well as climbing wall and equipment manufacturers, media, and industry supporters.

CWA Climbing Instructor Certification Course

What is the CWI Certification Course?
The Climbing Wall Association (CWA), a non-profit corporation, sponsors the “Climbing Wall Instructor certification program” (CWI). The purpose of the certification program is to establish a voluntary certification for climbing instructors and a uniform set of performance standards that can be easily adopted throughout North America. It is the ideal course for anyone interested in becoming a CWA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor or working at an indoor climbing wall or facility. Participants that pass the course will receive a CWI Certification card issued by the CWA.

The goals of the CWI Certification Course are to:

  1. Increase the level of professionalism in indoor climbing in North America;
  2. Improve the level of consistency and competency in indoor climbing technical instruction in North America;
  3. Define a consistent standard of care for climbing instructors in North America for the following areas:
    a. client orientation and instruction;
    b. teaching general climbing skills including movement;
    c. teaching proper belaying techniques;
    d. teaching proper leading techniques;
    e. teaching proper equipment care and use;
    f. proper facility use, care, and inspection; and
    g. emergency procedures
  4. Evaluate the technical skills of climbing instructors;
  5. Provide candidates with guidance for further professional development.
  6. Provide a means of promoting consistency and quality assurance in climbing instruction for the benefit of the public.

Experience Recommendations:
Prior climbing experience is important in developing the skills necessary to climb safely and teach basic climbing and belaying skills to others. We recommend, but do not require, the following experience guidelines for successful candidates:

  • The candidate has one year personal climbing experience;
  • The candidate has a minimum 20 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors;
  • The candidate has a combination of formal training and climbing experience of 40 hours.

These guidelines are provided by way of example. Candidates that do not have sufficient prior climbing experience may not pass the course.

Pre-requisites are as follows:

  1. The candidate is 16 years of age by the conclusion of the course. (Note: persons less than 16 years of age may audit the course and will not receive certification, but will receive a letter of completion.)
  2. The candidate can demonstrate basic climbing movement skills on top-rope at the 5.8 level with calm, confidence and good position without falls.
  3. The candidate can climb 5.7 lead demonstrating an awareness of potential hazards, possess lead belay skills and climb with confidence without falls. (NOTE: optional for lead endorsement only)
  4. The candidate has or is provided with appropriate equipment in good condition.
  5. The candidate can demonstrate proper care use and inspection of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
  6. The candidate can demonstrate proficient belay technique.

Training Format
The CWI Certification Course is designed for an instructor working directly with patrons of a climbing facility. The curriculum includes; professionalism, equipment inspections, risk management (as it relates to climbing activities), patron orientations and developing effective teaching skills. The CWI Student Manual serves as a source book in preparation for the course. It can be downloaded from the CWA website. www.climbingwallindustry.org At the outset of the training, the candidate is observed as they climb and are visually assessed by the Provider to confirm that they meet the required program prerequisites. At the end of the course, the candidate is provided with an exit interview and assessment with the course Provider to determine pass or fail. Participants that pass the CWI section will receive a CWI Certification card issued by the CWA.


Pricing
$199 per person
• one day course - 8 hour program
• minimum of 6 clients to run course
• course fee includes the $45 CWA CWI Certification fee

Additional fee of $89 for CWI Lead Endorsement add-on
• 3 hour program on the second day

Dates // Times // Locations

2012 Dates

• April 16-17, 2012 // VE Minneapolis
April 16, 8am-4pm
April 17, 8am-11am // only for those seeking lead endorsement (additional $89 per person)

• May 7-8, 2012 // VE Minneapolis
May 7, 8am-4pm
May 8, 8am-11am // only for those seeking lead endorsement (additional $89 per person)

• May 19, 2012 // VE Warrenville Cancelled
8 am-4 pm // lead certification will not be available

• June 11-12, 2012 // VE Minneapolis
June 11, 8am-4pm
June 12, 8am-11am // only for those seeking lead endorsement (additional $89 per person)


CWA Climbing Wall Manager Training Program (CWMTP)

What is the Climbing Wall Manager Training Program?
The “Climbing Wall Manager Training Program” is endorsed by the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) as a pilot program and is modeled after Vertical Endeavor’s R.O.P.E.S. Training program that has been administered for over 18 years. The CWA Industry Practices and the CWI Student Manual serve as sources for the CWMTP. The CWI Student Manual can be downloaded from the CWA website. www.climbingwallindustry.com. It is the ideal course for anyone interested in becoming a CWA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor or managing an indoor climbing wall or facility. The primary goals of the program are to increase the level of professional climbing instruction in the USA and to assure that climbing wall operators are in compliance with current Industry Standards.

Experience Recommendations:
Prior climbing experience is important in developing the skills necessary to climb safely and teach basic climbing and belaying skills to others. We recommend, but do not require, the following experience guidelines for successful candidates:

• The candidate has one year personal climbing experience;
• The candidate has a minimum 20 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors;
• The candidate has a combination of formal training and climbing experience of 50 hours.

These guidelines are provided by way of example. Candidates that do not have sufficient prior climbing experience may not pass the course

Pre-requisites are as follows:

  1. The candidate is 18 years of age by the conclusion of the course.
  2. Current first aid and CPR (American Red Cross Basic – 5.5 to 6.5 hours, or equivalent).
  3. A resume or other document showing a minimum of 50 hours of work as a climbing instructor, demonstrating an expertise in indoor climbing settings.
  4. The candidate can demonstrate basic climbing movement skills on top-rope at the 5.8 level with calm, confidence and good position without falls.
  5. The candidate can climb 5.7 lead demonstrating an awareness of potential hazards, possess lead belay skills and climb with confidence without falls. (NOTE: optional for lead endorsement only)
  6. The candidate has or is provided with appropriate equipment in good condition.
  7. The candidate can demonstrate proper care use and inspection of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
  8. The candidate can demonstrate proficient belay technique

Training Format
The “Climbing Wall Instructor Certification Course” is covered in the first eight hours of program. It is designed for an instructor working directly with patrons of a climbing facility. The curriculum includes; professionalism, equipment inspections, risk management (as it relates to climbing activities), patron orientations and developing effective teaching skills. At the outset of the training, the candidate is observed as they climb and are visually assessed by the Provider to confirm that they meet the required program prerequisites.At the end of the course, the candidate is provided with an exit interview and assessment with the course Provider to determine pass or fail. Participants that pass the CWI section will receive a CWI Certification card issued by the CWA.

Day two will begin with a sport leading climbing session for participants seeking the CWI Lead Endorsement. The training continues with curriculum designed for managing an indoor climbing wall or facility. Content includes: industry practices, risk management policies, administration, Human Resource management, program development and operational policies. Upon completion of the training, a written exam is administered. The Provider combines the exam score, the CWI score and overall assessment of the candidate to determine pass or fail. Participants that pass the second section will receive a CWI Lead Endorsement Certification by the CWA and the CWMTP Certificate of Completion issued by Vertical Endeavors. CWMTP certificate holders may be grandfathered in as CWA certified CWMTP participant once the pilot period has ended.

Pricing
$350 per person
• two day course - 16 hour program
• minimum of 6 clients to run course
• course fee includes the $45 CWA CWI Certification fee.

Dates // Times // Locations

2011 Dates
• December 12-13, 2011 // VE Saint Paul
December 12, 8 am-4 pm
December 13, 8 am-4 pm

2012 Dates

• April 16-17, 2012 // VE Minneapolis
April 16, 8 am-4 pm
April 17, 8 am-4 pm

• May 7-8, 2012 // VE Minneapolis
May 7, 8 am-4 pm
May 8, 8 am-4 pm

• June 11-12, 2012 // VE Minneapolis
June 11, 8 am-4 pm
June 12, 8 am-4 pm

CWA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification Program Provider Course

Prerequisites to joining Provider Pool:

  1. Current membership in the CWA (self or employer).
  2. 21 years of age.
  3. Current first aid and CPR (American Red Cross Basic - 5.5 to 6.5 hours, or equivalent).
  4. A résumé or curriculum vitae showing a minimum of 200 hours of work experience as a climbing instructor, showing expertise in indoor climbing settings.
  5. Climbing ability: 5.9 top rope and 5.8 lead on artificial structures.
  6. Current CWA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor.*
  7. Two non-related professional references, including contact information and phone number.
  8. A signed agreement and attestation on file.
  9. Proof of insurance.
*If the candidate is not a current CWA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor, the candidate may complete an alternative qualification procedure documenting that the candidate meets the requirements of becoming a provider but showing a minimum of 400 hours of work experience as a climbing instructor. Exceptional and wide-ranging indoor climbing teaching experience, prior experience as an instructor or guide, or other certification will be considered as evidence of qualification. Completion of a provider training course may or may not be required as part of the alternative qualification procedure.

Course Description:
This training will provide an overview for the CWA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification Program for prospective instructor pool members. It is intended that as the program evolves, this training will also serve as continuing education option for instructor pool members.This training will review the program policy manual, the CWA Industry Practices, the student manual and curricula and general course flow. A portion of the training will be spent in scenarios to develop provider skills in consistent nationwide delivery of course content, fair student evaluation, providing effective student feedback, risk management, and in discussing the consensus pass/fail standards.

The goals of the Provider Course are to:

  1. Educate provider pool members in the Climbing Wall Instructor certification program and to prepare provider pool members to be effective advocates for the program.
  2. Help provider pool members understand the program's policies and procedures.
  3. Familiarize candidates with program materials.
  4. Train provider pool members to administer and deliver courses within the CWI certification program and to familiarize candidates with program materials.
  5. Train provider pool members in the CWA Industry Practices.
  6. Train provider pool members in the program curricula.
  7. Train provider pool members in evaluating and applying course standards, use of the evaluation instrument, and how to assess climbing wall students consistently and fairly.
  8. Communicate the risk management and safety measures to be employed during the course.
  9. Ensure that the certification program is delivered with consistency and quality.
  10. Provide a forum for provider pool members to have questions answered and discuss program issues.

Training Format
The CWI program provider course is a one day, eight hour course. Some lecture, but emphasis on demonstration, group discussion of the program and curricula, and review of course flow and scenarios to help prospective providers be able to offer a consistent course, consistent feedback to students, and a consistent standard of examination.

Pricing
$199 per person, min. of 6 clients to run course.

Dates // Times // Locations
TBD

Refund/Cancellation Policy on CWA Courses

  • CWA courses will be canceled 3 weeks in advance if the minimum number of clients is not met.
  • Full payment is required to reserve/schedule your CWA Course.
  • Cancellations and Refunds will be made according to the following schedule:
    • Up to four (4) weeks in advance: 100% refund, less $20.00 administrative fee
    • Less than four (4) weeks in advance but up to fourteen (14) days prior: 75% refund, less a $20.00 administrative fee
    • No refunds will be made for cancellations within fourteen (14) days prior to the starting day of the program
  • All refunds will incur a $20.00 administrative processing fee unless Vertical Endeavors chooses to cancel the program for any reason.
  • No refunds will be made for “No Shows” (a “No Show” is a person who registers for a program but who does not cancel registration or attend the program.)
  • No refunds will be given once a program begins.
  • Refunds will be processed as they are received or after the conclusion of the program, depending on the program date and when cancellation occurs. Refunds may take five to seven business days to process.
  • If Vertical Endeavors needs to cancel the program for any reason, you may elect to transfer registration to another program, provided such a program is scheduled and space is available.  If no program is available a full refund will be provided by Vertical Endeavors.
  • If Vertical Endeavors determine that a participant must be removed from the program for inappropriate or illegal conduct, Vertical Endeavors will not provide a refund of any kind.
  • The instructor has the authority to terminate any program or portion of, due to health or safety concerns.
  • Cancellations will be accepted via phone, fax or e-mail, and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
 

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