Climbing

U Intro to Climbing

Holistic instruction of basic climbing competencies (in both bouldering and top-rope modalities) for beginner climbers. Learn movement fundamentals, beginner skills and techniques (such as footwork, hold types, and body positions), and top-rope climbing/belaying (i.e. high-wall safety checks, basic belay technique, partner communication, risk mitigation, and taking/catching falls while on top-rope).

• Frequency: 1x per week (three consecutive weeks)
• Duration: 2 hours
• Climbing equipment provided
• No experience necessary
• For ages 14 and up

U Belay

Prepare to challenge the Wilson Climbing Center top-rope belay test – includes instruction on harness set-up, knot tying, safety checks, partner communication, top rope belay technique, and catching/taking falls (while on top rope).

• Frequency: 1x per week (one week)
• Duration: 2 hours
• No experience necessary
• Equipment rental included
• For ages 14 and up

Women on Walls

For beginner level female climbers. Improve confidence and technical climbing proficiencies via female-coached movement fundamental lessons, top rope climbing/belaying, sport-specific strength and conditioning exercises, and drills for enhancing climbing-specific power, strength, and endurance in women.

• Frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 14+
• No climbing experience required
• Must be female gendered

Learn 2 Climb (8-12 years) & FUNdamentals (6-9 years)

Fun, inclusive, multi-modality, and developmentally appropriate climbing activities - climbers will develop fundamental climbing skills in structured and unstructured environments for play. Introduction to a wide range of movement skills, along with the confidence and desire to participate in additional climbing are key outcomes.

• Frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
• Class duration: 1.5 hours
• No climbing experience necessary
• Equipment rental included
• For ages 6-12

Complete Climber

Learn how to ascend all 3 modalities of climbing routes available in the Wilson Climbing Center: bouldering, top rope climbing, and lead climbing. Develop proficient, safe, and confident belay skills, through a gradual progression of high-wall climbing on both top rope and lead climbing routes, while concurrently improving fundamental climbing techniques and skills (e.g. precise footwork, basic body positioning, and efficient movement) in the boulder area.

• Frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• No experience necessary
• Equipment rental included
• For ages 14 and up

U Lead

Prepare to challenge the Wilson Climbing Center lead belay test. Develop competency and confidence in lead climbing/belaying skills via instruction on optimal clipping technique, partner communication, and safety checks, as well as how to take and catch falls while lead belaying.

• Frequency: 1x per week (two consecutive weeks)
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Registrants should have approx. 6 months of top rope climbing experience and should be comfortable climbing routes at or above the 5.9 grade
• Equipment rental included
• For ages 14 and up 

Youth Development Team A

LEAD climbing proficiency and skill refinement - climbers prepare for the transition to our Youth Competitive Team. Developing confidence in lead climbing and belaying skills are key outcomes.

• Frequency: 3x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 10 -18
• Equipment rental included
• Prerequisite: Previous lead climbing and belaying experience; development team B

Youth Development Team B

LEAD climbing introduction and skill acquisition - learning basic lead climbing and belaying skills are key outcomes.

• Frequency: 3x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 10 -18
• Equipment rental included
• Prerequisite: Confidence in top-rope climbing and belaying; development team C

Youth Development Team C

TOP-ROPE climbing proficiency and skill refinement - developing confidence in top-rope climbing and belaying skills are key outcomes.

•  Frequency: 2x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 9 -14
• Equipment rental included
• Prerequisite: Previous top-rope climbing and belaying experience; Youth Development Team D, FUNdamentals, Learn2Climb, or GGSC

Youth Development Team D

TOP-ROPE climbing introduction and skill acquisition - learning basic top-rope climbing and belaying skills are key outcomes.

• Frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 9 -14 years
• Equipment rental included
• Prerequisite: Previous experience in an indoor climbing gym setting; FUNdamentals, Learn2Climb, or GGSC

U Train

Designed for beginner to intermediate level climbers (i.e. can climb routes graded ≤5.10) with current top-rope and/or lead access. Gain an understanding of basic high-wall climbing training tactics and strategy; refine sport-specific skills through strength and conditioning, flexibility, and warm-up/cool-down routines for high-wall climbing.

NOTE: this is not a learn-to-belay course, and top rope/lead belay skills will NOT be taught/reviewed during this course

• Frequency: 2x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 14 and up
• Equipment rental included
• Pre-requisite: Current (<1 year) top rope check at the Wilson Climbing Centre

U Upgrade

Designed for intermediate to advanced level climbers (i.e. can climbing routes graded >5.10) with current lead access. Learn advanced climbing techniques and how to progressively overload sport-specific training (strength and conditioning, mobility, climbing drills, and sport-specific fitness).

NOTE: this is not a learn-to-belay course, and lead belay skills will NOT be taught/reviewed during this course.

• Frequency: 3x per week (full semester)
• Duration: 2 hours
• For ages 16 and up
• Equipment rental included
• Pre-requisite: Current (<1 year) lead check at the Wilson Climbing Centre

Youth Competitive Team (10-18 years)

Climbers train with coaches for local, regional, and national sanctioned climbing competitions - developing proficient training tactics, climbing strategy, and refinement of lead and boulder climbing skills are key outcomes.

• Frequency: 4x per week (full semester)
• Class duration: 2 - 3.5 hours
• For ages 11-18
• Prerequisite: Confidence in lead climbing and belaying; development team A; head coach invite