The Climbing Wall Association (CWA) and the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) Certification Program for climbing instructors throughout the USA.
The CWA/AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Certification Program has been piloted since April of 2007 in Colorado, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Seven courses have run to date with more scheduled for 2008 as the program gains momentum. Over thirty students participated in the initial courses, which were used to evaluate the concept of a climbing-wall-specific certification. The courses were well-received by the students and were quite successful. The first course to train future CWI providers will be offered at the 2008 Climbing Wall Summit in Boulder, Colorado. The course will be taught by AMGA President and Certified Rock and Alpine Guide John Bicknell.
The program addresses the basic technical skills necessary to manage an instructional program at a climbing facility. The course covers general topic areas such as: client orientation and instruction; teaching general climbing skills including movement; teaching top-rope and lead belaying techniques; equipment and facility use; and rescue and emergency procedures.
“This joint program with the CWA will be a great addition to the programs currently offered by the AMGA,” stated Betsy Novak, Executive Director of the AMGA. “This program will provide for a definitive, nation-wide certification for climbing instructors. The AMGA is a great partner in this effort given their internationally recognized experience offering credentialing programs,” stated Bill Zimmermann, Executive Director of the CWA.
