Curriculum or Topics Covered:

• climbing wall management

• teaching climbing

• basic rescue skills

• professionalism

• crag etiquette and "Leave No Trace" skills

Prerequisites:

There are two certification levels in the Climbing Wall Instructor program: Top Rope and Lead. Prerequisites for each certification level are presented below. These prerequisites are considered the bare minimum of skills and experience needed to successfully attain CWI certification.

Top Rope Certification Prerequisites:

• You are a Professional Member of the AMGA.

• You have at least one year documented personal climbing experience (a minimum of 30 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors in the last 12 months.).

• You have the ability to comfortably climb 5.7 on top rope on artificial surfaces.

• You have the ability to top rope belay with a manual braking device or an assisted braking device.

• You have the ability to tie the figure eight follow through and familiarity with the figure eight on a bight and overhand on a bight.

• You possess an understanding of the proper use of personal climbing equipment, including shoes, harness, carabiners, and ropes.

• Having previously taught and/or observed basic climbing courses is recommended, but not required.

Lead Certification Prerequisites:

• You are a Professional Member of the AMGA.

• You have at least one year documented personal climbing experience (a minimum of 50 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors in the last 12 months.).

• You have the ability to comfortably climb 5.9 on top rope and competently lead climb 5.8 on artificial surfaces.

• You have the ability to competently belay a lead climber with a manual belay device and assisted braking device.

• You have experience teaching (formally or informally) the use of personal climbing equipment, including shoes, harness, belay device, carabiners, and ropes.