Top Rope Rock Climbing Instructor Certification

Top Rope Rock Climbing Instructor Certification

You are interested in becoming an instructor to teach beginners to rock climb and rappel outdoors. We provide you the necessary training and practicum to become a competent Top Rope Rock Climbing Instructor.

Adopting some of the best practices used by the American Mountain Guides Association, the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the previous Ontario Rock Climbing Association, our certification process consists of the following components:

1. Gaining technical competence by completing the Top Rope Anchor Setting and Rappelling course, the basic level of the Improvised Self Rock Rescue course, and instructor's setup for the Introductory Rock Climbing and Rappelling course.

2. Gaining teaching competence through a one-day shadowing of a real client teaching session and a one-day teaching of a real client session.

3. Consolidating both technical and teaching competences through a practicum with real client teaching sessions to become a competent instructor.  The length of practicum is between 3 to 8 days, as determined by the candidate's performance evaluated by both clients and the Chief Instructor of Zen Climb. Candidate will be paid with an honorarium for practicum sessions.

This certification is valid for one year.  Certificate holders need to take a one-day re-certification course in the spring to keep their skills current for three main reasons: a) after almost half-year of winter in Ontario, instructors' skills my get rusty due to lack of practice; 2) some certificate holders may have forgotten some skills due to lack of teaching sessions; 3) new safety practices or standards may have recently emerged.

This certification is only valid while the certificate holder maintains a valid First Aid certificate.

"Xiaoping has been a mentor and a friend over this last year, and I am grateful. He is an analytical and logical decision maker, with extensive climbing expertise. No amount of on the rock experience can substitute for the classes he runs." -- Raz Peel, December 31, 2012

Pre-requisites:

  • At least 6 months of climbing experience
  • At least 10 days of outdoor climbing experience
  • Ability to top rope at 5.8 or better outdoors

Duration: 5-10 days after completing required training, including 3-8 days of paid practicum. April - November.

Location: Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, Ontario

For more information, please view Itinerary, Facility, Equipment, Preparation and FAQ

Fee: The following fees are subject to HST.

  • $990/person for certification (If you have taken one of the required courses, deduct the amount you have paid for that course.)
  • $90/person for re-certification

Register:

Please email  to provide the following informaiton:

- Your name, address and contact phone number;

- The number of people in your group. If there're minors in the group, indicate their age;

- Name of the course your group is registering;

- The location where you will take the course: A) Rattlesnake Point, B) Smok Bluffs Park.

- Your preferred date(s).

By submitting the above information, you agree to our Booking Conditions and Cancellation Policy.

Booking Conditions:

All participants are required to read, understand and sign this waiver of liability.  The minimum age to participate is 18.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation must be made 30 days prior to the start of the program in order to receive a 50% refund.  Otherwise, no refund will be issued.  You may transfer your reservation to another person within one week of the program (course, camp or retreat) start date. The administrative cost for this is $45 per person.

Nature tests us and nurtures us.  Zen Climb may at its sole discretion reschedule or cancel a booked program due to extreme risky weather conditions or other factors justifiable by Zen Climb. In the event of such a cancellation, we will notify you the cancellation the day before the start of the program.  You may reschedule and attend the same or similar course/program within six months or receive a 50% refund. If you did not receive a cancellation call from us, assume the program will run as scheduled.

Privacy Policy:

We take the protection and proper use of your personal information seriously. We respect your privacy, and take great care to safeguard information in our possession. For your peace of mind, please read our Privacy Policy in its entirety.  Thanks!