As such, the theory behind our programs is to offer post-secondary style learning opportunities to students, staff, and U of A community members. Our rigorous climbing coach certification requirement (minimum Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) - Climbing Gym Instructor Level 1) speaks to our commitment to higher level climbing education, while providing our patrons with unparalleled climbing instruction.
The following is brief a primer on how to navigate our programs; registration for the Fall 2019 term is now open, with links to our online registration portal located here: www.acivityreg.ualberta.ca
Youth (<18 years)
No prior climbing experience (Learn to Train)- Youth Club Fundamentals (6-9 years)
- Youth Club Learn to Climb (8-12 years)
- Class frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 1.5 hours
Outcomes: Introduction to both high wall (roped) climbing and bouldering - includes games and semi-private coaching that incorporates movement fundamentals, basic skills, and coach directed conditioning drills to foster comfort and confidence in easy to moderate level climbing.
Prior climbing experience (Train to Train)
- Development Team Progression Pathway (pre-requisites required - see program registration link for more information)
- Class frequency: 2-3x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Development of technical climbing skills in both the bouldering and high-wall domains, with progressive training directed towards fostering competitive youth climbing - includes ACMG certified small group coaching focused on improving technical climbing skills, sport specific strength/power/endurance, as well as psychological problem solving techniques and confidence during moderate to difficult level high-wall climbing and bouldering.
Competitive climbing (Train to Compete)
- Competitive Team (tryout or coach invite required)
- Class frequency: 4x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 2-3 hours
Outcomes: Optimization of advanced climbing technique with the goal of eliciting podium performances at sanctioned youth climbing competitions on indoor climbing surfaces - includes skill specific practices focused on maximizing technical climbing competency in both the bouldering and high wall climbing domains through a combination of strength and conditioning work, advanced drills, and injury prevention/athlete health and longevity exercises.
Adult (14+ years)
Learn to Climb (no prior climbing experience)
Intro to Climbing
- Class frequency: 1x per week (three consecutive weeks)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Introduce new patrons to both bouldering and top rope modalities of climbing - holistic instruction of basic climbing competencies, including movement fundamentals, beginner skills and techniques (such as foot work, hold types, and body positions), and top rope belay school (i.e. high-wall safety checks, basic belay technique, partner communication, risk mitigation, and taking/catching falls while on top-rope).
U Belay
- Class frequency: 1x per week (one week)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Prepare participants to challenge the Wilson Climbing Center top-rope belay test - including instruction on harness set-up, knot tying, safety checks, partner communication, top rope belay technique, and catching/taking falls (while on top rope)
Learn to Lead (>6 months top rope climbing experience)
Complete Climber
- Class frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Introduce participants to all 3 modalities of climbing available in the Wilson Climbing Center: bouldering, top rope climbing, and lead climbing - develop proficient, safe, and confident belay skills, through 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) while bouldering.
U Lead
- Class frequency: 1x per week (two consecutive weeks)
- Class duration: 2.5 hours
Outcomes: Prepare participants to challenge the Wilson Climbing Center lead belaying test - develop competency and confidence in lead climbing/belaying skills via instruction on optimal clipping technique, partner communication, safety checks, as well as how to take and catch falls while ascending lead climbing routes
Climbing Conditioning (top rope or lead climbing experience)
Women on Walls
- Class frequency: 1x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Encourage skill development for beginner - intermediate female climbers - improvement of confidence and technical climbing proficiencies via female-coached movement fundamental lessons, sport specific strength and conditioning exercises, top-rope belay school, and drills for enhancing climbing specific power, strength, and endurance in women.
U Train (>14 years + current top rope access)
- Class frequency: 2x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Improve climbing ability in beginner to intermediate level climbers with current top rope access - train to climb higher grades using technical drills focused on enhancing sport specific power, strength, and endurance, in addition to climbing specific strength and conditioning, flexibility, and warm-up/cool down exercises; NOTE - this is not a learn-to-belay course, and top rope/lead belay skills will NOT be taught/reviewed during this course.
U Upgrade (>16 years + current lead access)
- Class frequency: 3x per week (full semester)
- Class duration: 2 hours
Outcomes: Improve climbing ability in intermediate to advanced level climbers with current lead access - train to climb higher grades using advanced technique drills in both the lead climbing and bouldering domains; practices include progressive lesson plans with supplemental strength and conditioning workouts designed to improve all 3 energy systems required while climbing; NOTE - this is not a learn-to-belay course, and top rope/lead belay skills will NOT be taught/reviewed during this course.
Questions? Email climbing@ualberta.ca, call us at 780-492-2767, or drop by the Wilson Climbing Center during our operational hours - we love climbing and would be happy to assist you with any climbing related inquiries! Happy Climbing!