Rock Climbing Instructor Certificate

Prospectus

Introduction

 

The Rock Climbing Instructor Scheme provides comprehensive training and assessment for individuals working as instructors in a professional, semi-professional or amateur capacity, privately or at mountaineering centres. It integrates training and assessment in a variety of testing conditions in mountainous country.

 

The scheme provides training and assessment in the skills required to teach, and assess rock climbing and to lead groups in all the mountain areas of South Africa.

 

Stages

 

The scheme comprises of:

 

1.      registration and issue of a log book

2.      a six day training course

3.      further experience gained during a consolidation period

4.      a four day assessment course

5.      continuing experience entered in a log book.

 

Registration

 

Candidates wishing to register must:

 

Developed by Chakarinet

·        be not less than 20 years of age

·        have at least 36 months of extensive personal experience of rock climbing in a variety of areas

·        hold the Single Pitch Supervisor Award

·        hold the Rock Climbing Leader Certificate

·        hold the Advanced Mountain Walking Leader Certificate

·        have led or alternate-led a minimum of 30 named multi-pitch climbs of 17 standard or above in at least 3 main climbing areas [1]

·        identify a suitable referee to endorse the registration application, preferably a mountaineering instructor or guide, but other long term climbing partners or suitable employer will be considered

·        complete the registration form and enclose the appropriate fee.

 

Training

 

Before attending a training course candidates must ensure that they are registered with the MDT.

 

On completion of registration, and once in possession of a Leadership Training Scheme log book Rock Climbing Instructor Certificate insert, candidates must attend a training course run by an approved course provider [2].

 

The course is a minimum of six days in duration and usually residential. In certain cases it may run over a series of weekends.

 

During the course advice will be given about further experience. Candidates must present a completed log book at the start in order to assist the process.

 

Log book

 

Experience gained by candidates should be recorded in the log book. Entries should include all relevant experience, be concise and easily read.

 

The log book is divided into five sections and includes:

 

·        a record of experience gained prior to the training course

·        the particulars of the training course completed by the director of training

·        a record of experience gained during the period between the training and assessment courses

·        particulars of the assessment course completed and issued by the director of assessment

·        a record of experience gained after assessment.

 

Consolidation

 

During the period between training and assessment, candidates are expected to consolidate and evaluate the techniques shown during training and gain extensive personal experience of rock climbing, leadership and instruction in a number of mountain areas

 

Experience gained overseas, while valuable is not a substitute for specific experience gained in South Africa.

 

The consolidation period will be a minimum of twelve months.

 

First Aid

 

At the start of the assessment course the candidate must hold a currently valid approved first aid certificate.

 

Assessment

 

Before attending an assessment course candidates must:

 

·        have completed 20 quality mountain days as leader in sole charge of a mixed ability group

·        have completed 20 rock climbing teaching days with students

·        have led or alternate-led a further 30 named multi-pitch climbs of 17 standard or above in at least 3 climbing areas [1] [3]

·        have acted in the capacity of assistant instructor on two rock climbing leader courses

·        be familiar with all aspects of the syllabus

·        have gained a broad working knowledge of rock climbing including the crag and mountain environment and South African rock climbing history.

·        have obtained a reference from a referee

·        hold a valid approved first aid certificate

 

When applying for assessment, candidates must present their log book and first aid certificate to the director of assessment to confirm that sufficient experience has been gained.

 

During the residential assessment course, which lasts a minimum of four days, candidates will be tested in accordance with the syllabus requirements. The director of assessment will then endorse the log book and assessment report and make appropriate recommendations.

 

The assessment report will take one of three forms:

 

Pass: awarded where the candidate has demonstrated proper knowledge and application of the course syllabus and has shown the necessary experience for the application of rock climbing instruction.

 

Deferred: awarded where the candidate has generally performed at the required standard and shown the necessary experience and attributes, but where complete proficiency has not been attained. Written recommendations for further experience will be given, along with details of the proposed reassessment.

 

Fail: awarded where the candidate's performance had been weak, or the necessary experience and attributes have not been shown.

 

A panel of at least three assessors will be involved in deciding each candidates result.