Climbing Wall Instructor Course

Join the Stone Age Climbing Gym Founder (Bryan), Director of Setting and Youth Programs (Lance), and Midtown General Manager (Lex) for a 5-day, 3-provider Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) combined course and exam.

The AMGA CWI program certifies professionals to teach in an indoor or artificial wall environment. It aims to increase the level of professionalism in indoor climbing and to improve the level of climbing wall instruction; to develop a more consistent standard of care for climbing instructors in the US; to evaluate the skills of climbing instructors in the US; and to provide guidance for further professional development. The AMGA CWI is the only globally recognized certification for climbing wall instruction in the U.S.

Prerequisites
The Climbing Wall Instructor program has two certification levels: 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:

• AMGA Professional Membership
• 18 years of age at the time of the course.
• At least one year documented personal climbing experience (a minimum of 30 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors in the last 12 months.)
• Ability to comfortably climb 5.7 on top rope on artificial surfaces.
• Ability to top rope belay with a manual braking device or an assisted braking device.
• Ability to tie the figure eight follow through and familiarity with the figure eight on a bight and overhand on a bight.
• An understanding of the proper use of personal climbing equipment, including shoes, harness, carabiners, and ropes.
• Prior teaching and/or having observed basic climbing courses is recommended, but not required.

Lead Certification prerequisites

• AMGA Professional Membership
• 18 years of age at the time of the course.
• At least one year documented personal climbing experience (a minimum of 50 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors in the last 12 months.)
• Ability to comfortably climb 5.9 on top rope and competently lead climb 5.8 on artificial surfaces.
• Ability to competently belay a lead climber with a manual belay device and assisted braking device.
• Experience teaching (formally or informally) the use of personal climbing equipment, including shoes, harness, belay device, carabiners, and ropes.

Note that you must be an active member of the AMGA before registering and paying for the course on this site. Visit http://amga.com/climbing-wall-instructor/ for more information. Enrollment is tentative until one of the course providers verifies the prerequisites. 

Select November 30th on the calendar below to sign up.