Rock Climbing Instructor Qualifications

Level 5 Rock Instructor

Scope of Leadership

• This qualification will provide the outdoor recreation sector with individuals who are able to operate independently and provide instruction and leadership for participants during specific outdoor activity. The emphasis of this qualification is on developing participants’ competence through safe, sequenced, learning experiences in dynamic outdoor environments.
• Graduates of this qualification are able to work independently and contribute to the daily operation of, and work under, a Safety Management System (SMS).
• Graduates of the Rock Climbing strand will be able to instruct participants in the single pitch rock climbing skills required for a positive experience through effective planning, delivery and evaluation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge of personal safety in rock climbing
2. Use appropriate equipment and systems  in rock climbing
3. Select and use appropriate emergency equipment when responding to an emergency in rock climbing
4. Demonstrate environmental responsibility and kaitiakitanga including respect for tikanga and Kawa of local iwi and hapū when engaging in rock climbing activities
5. Apply an organisation’s safety management system while leading rock climbing and abseiliactivities
6. Instruct participants in the skills required for safe educational rock climbing and abseiling experiences
7. Manage a group to safely experience rock climbing and abseiling
8. Evaluate rock climbing and abseiling  leadership and review the planned program

Topics Include

• Inspect and explain equipment used for rock climbing activities
• Belay systems and techniques
• Safe anchor points for personal climbing
• Personal safety and edge protection
• Emergency equipment used for non-routine situations and rescues
• Responding to non-routine situations
• Responding to emergencies and rescuing participants
• Pre activity tasks and checks
• Procedures and management techniques for preparing to lead rock climbing activities
• Preparing and checking equipment and a venue
• Instructing participants to use rock climbing Equipment
• Safety roles for instructors and participants
• Instructing participants to safely manage themselves at a rock climbing site
• Facilitation, communication and teaching techniques
• Monitoring and managing Needs of participants and participant behaviour
• Cultural awareness
• Minimum impact principles for rock climbing activities

Qualification Delivery

Self-directed online learning

Teacher-directed online learning

Teacher-directed in-person training

Assessment Tasks

Prepare a plan to lead a group.

Demonstrate leadership skills

Demonstrate personal skills

Review and evaluate leadership

Prerequisites

The following outlines hours and experience that must be completed for the qualification to be awarded. We recommend participants start with all of these conditions met. You will need to provide a plan that clearly shows how you will demonstrate these conditions before the final date of the qualification.

At least 40 days rock climbing experience, which must include at least 20 days personal climbing and at least 10 days instructing rock climbing, including at least five sessions instructing abseiling. Instructing experience can include being a co-instructor or assistant instructor.

− rock climbing experience at a minimum of three different climbing areas of different rock type. A rock climbing day must be at least four hours climbing and no less than four pitches climbed;