Climbing Wall Instructor
Greater Boston Climbing School offers climbing wall staff training and certification via the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) Course and Assessment.
The CWI program is offered in three sections or levels
Level 1: Bouldering
Level 2: Top Rope and Auto Belay
Level 3: Lead
The course and assessment are offered in Hybrid or In Person formats. The certification assessment is only offered from GBCS as in person currently. These courses run with an instructor to student max ration of 1:8. Minimum recommended lead time for courses is 2-3 weeks to get online access and materials to students.
All CWI students will have access to the online course material through the CWA. We strongly encourage a hybrid or in person approach for those relatively new to the material. An online only course and in person assessment is appropriate for experienced candidates looking to confirm their skills. Pricing below includes CWA registration and materials fees. Travel costs may be added for courses outside our typical operating areas.
Typical Offerings:
Hybrid L1, L2 Course and In Person Assessment:
Approx. 2-4 hours online self-study content
12 hours in person over 2 sessions
$325 per person, 4 people minimum
Hybrid Mixed L1, L2 & L3 Course and In Person Assessment:
Approx. 3-6 hours online self-study content
16 Hours in person over 2-3 sessions
$500 per person, 4 people minimum
Online Only Courses (Independent Study) and In-person Assessment:
Approx. 2-4 hours Per Section Online
1 Online Meeting approx. 2 hours for each section L1, L2, L3
4 Hours In-Person Assessment
$325 per person L1-L2, 2 people minimum
$500 per person L1, L2, & L3, 2 people minimum
Additional In Person Follow Up Assessment
Approx. 4 hours
$350 1-2 people, $175 per person additional
Our goal is to support and prepare you and your staff to succeed at your facility and beyond. We are happy to discuss custom programs to meet your needs and circumstances. Contact us to get started.
Important Information from the Climbing Wall Association
If you are a climbing wall operator and are not yet a member, consider joining the CWA for access to important resources such as news, standards, education and community.
The CWI Certification Program Overview
The CWI Program was initially designed in collaboration with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) to offer the indoor climbing facilities standards of training for instructors working within climbing facilities. The program has evolved to meet the interests and development of the sport over the ensuing years.
THE SCOPE: The Certification Standards Committee provides training standards and certification for the operators and employees of artificial climbing wall facilities that provide the education of, and recreational participation in, the sport of climbing.
MISSION: To increase the professionalism, knowledge, and experience of Climbing Wall Instructors by providing access to quality certification programs. The Climbing Wall Instructor program endeavors to improve the level of consistency and quality of instruction of indoor climbing skills and to define a consistent standard of care for Climbing Wall Instructors. Further, the program endeavors to provide an avenue for guidance and continuing knowledge development for people working in the climbing wall industry.
The focus of the Climbing Wall Instructor certification program is to assess the ability of the candidate to
teach technical climbing related skills. These skills are appropriate for instruction of bouldering, the use of auto belays, top rope climbing and lead climbing on artificial climbing terrain.
The CWI certification must be renewed every three years.
Certification credits an individual with conforming to a prescribed set of certification standards that existed at the time of the evaluation or examination. It is not a guarantee the candidate will continue to conform to the standard.
CWI Level 1: Bouldering
The prerequisite to join our CWI Level 1 course you must be 16 yrs of age and have some climbing experience. The course is offered in a blended format with online content followed by a skills assessment.
Successful completion of the certification prepares the candidate for these roles and responsibilities in an indoor climbing facility:
Maintain the requirements of certification as outlined in the Certification Program Policy Manual
Comply with CWI Certification Standard practices as outlined in the student manual
Act as a climbing wall worker offering orientations, and monitoring climbing activities
CWI Level 2 Auto Belay and Top Rope
With maturing to 18 yrs of age, climbing 5.8 over 20 top rope climbing outings and the practice belaying with an assisted belay device and a passive belay device, a CWI Level 1 certificant can register for the CWI Level 2 course. The CWI Level 2 is offered in a blended learning format with online content and demonstration of both technical skills and instructional skills.
Once certified, a CWI Level 2 candidate can fulfill these roles and responsibilities:
All responsibilities of Level 1
Use equipment that meets the CWA Certification Standard for climbing activities
Cultivate an instructional environment that cultivates trust and learning.
Use appropriate communication skills and instructional skills to prepare climbers
Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for top rope climbing
CWI Level 3 Lead
When a CWI Level 2 certificant has 40 lead climbing outings and progresses to climbing 5.9, the certificant is ready for the CWI Level 3 course. The course is delivered in a blended learning format with an assessment of the knowledge, technical skills, instructional skills, and the ability to make sound judgments.
These are the roles and responsibilities for all individuals certified at CWI Level 3:
All responsibilities of Levels 1 and 2
Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for lead climbing
Climbing Wall Instructor
Greater Boston Climbing School offers climbing wall staff training and certification via the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) Course and Assessment.
The CWI program is offered in three sections or levels
Level 1: Bouldering
Level 2: Top Rope and Auto Belay
Level 3: Lead
The course and assessment are offered in Hybrid or In Person formats. The certification assessment is only offered from GBCS as in person currently. These courses run with an instructor to student max ration of 1:8. Minimum recommended lead time for courses is 2-3 weeks to get online access and materials to students.
All CWI students will have access to the online course material through the CWA. We strongly encourage a hybrid or in person approach for those relatively new to the material. An online only course and in person assessment is appropriate for experienced candidates looking to confirm their skills. Pricing below includes CWA registration and materials fees. Travel costs may be added for courses outside our typical operating areas.
Typical Offerings:
Hybrid L1, L2 Course and In Person Assessment:
Approx. 2-4 hours online self-study content
12 hours in person over 2 sessions
$325 per person, 4 people minimum
Hybrid Mixed L1, L2 & L3 Course and In Person Assessment:
Approx. 3-6 hours online self-study content
16 Hours in person over 2-3 sessions
$500 per person, 4 people minimum
Online Only Courses (Independent Study) and In-person Assessment:
Approx. 2-4 hours Per Section Online
1 Online Meeting approx. 2 hours for each section L1, L2, L3
4 Hours In-Person Assessment
$325 per person L1-L2, 2 people minimum
$500 per person L1, L2, & L3, 2 people minimum
Additional In Person Follow Up Assessment
Approx. 4 hours
$350 1-2 people, $175 per person additional
Our goal is to support and prepare you and your staff to succeed at your facility and beyond. We are happy to discuss custom programs to meet your needs and circumstances. Contact us to get started.
Important Information from the Climbing Wall Association
If you are a climbing wall operator and are not yet a member, consider joining the CWA for access to important resources such as news, standards, education and community.
The CWI Certification Program Overview
The CWI Program was initially designed in collaboration with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) to offer the indoor climbing facilities standards of training for instructors working within climbing facilities. The program has evolved to meet the interests and development of the sport over the ensuing years.
THE SCOPE: The Certification Standards Committee provides training standards and certification for the operators and employees of artificial climbing wall facilities that provide the education of, and recreational participation in, the sport of climbing.
MISSION: To increase the professionalism, knowledge, and experience of Climbing Wall Instructors by providing access to quality certification programs. The Climbing Wall Instructor program endeavors to improve the level of consistency and quality of instruction of indoor climbing skills and to define a consistent standard of care for Climbing Wall Instructors. Further, the program endeavors to provide an avenue for guidance and continuing knowledge development for people working in the climbing wall industry.
The focus of the Climbing Wall Instructor certification program is to assess the ability of the candidate to
teach technical climbing related skills. These skills are appropriate for instruction of bouldering, the use of auto belays, top rope climbing and lead climbing on artificial climbing terrain.
The CWI certification must be renewed every three years.
Certification credits an individual with conforming to a prescribed set of certification standards that existed at the time of the evaluation or examination. It is not a guarantee the candidate will continue to conform to the standard.
CWI Level 1: Bouldering
The prerequisite to join our CWI Level 1 course you must be 16 yrs of age and have some climbing experience. The course is offered in a blended format with online content followed by a skills assessment.
Successful completion of the certification prepares the candidate for these roles and responsibilities in an indoor climbing facility:
Maintain the requirements of certification as outlined in the Certification Program Policy Manual
Comply with CWI Certification Standard practices as outlined in the student manual
Act as a climbing wall worker offering orientations, and monitoring climbing activities
CWI Level 2 Auto Belay and Top Rope
With maturing to 18 yrs of age, climbing 5.8 over 20 top rope climbing outings and the practice belaying with an assisted belay device and a passive belay device, a CWI Level 1 certificant can register for the CWI Level 2 course. The CWI Level 2 is offered in a blended learning format with online content and demonstration of both technical skills and instructional skills.
Once certified, a CWI Level 2 candidate can fulfill these roles and responsibilities:
All responsibilities of Level 1
Use equipment that meets the CWA Certification Standard for climbing activities
Cultivate an instructional environment that cultivates trust and learning.
Use appropriate communication skills and instructional skills to prepare climbers
Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for top rope climbing
CWI Level 3 Lead
When a CWI Level 2 certificant has 40 lead climbing outings and progresses to climbing 5.9, the certificant is ready for the CWI Level 3 course. The course is delivered in a blended learning format with an assessment of the knowledge, technical skills, instructional skills, and the ability to make sound judgments.
These are the roles and responsibilities for all individuals certified at CWI Level 3:
All responsibilities of Levels 1 and 2
Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for lead climbing
