2-day Rock Climbing January 7, 2023
This is a 2-day intro to rock climbing course delivered in Christchurch, New Zealand
2-day rock climbing course overview
This is a popular course for people who would like to give outside rock climbing a go. This course focuses on introducing a range of outdoor climbing styles, including top-rope & lead climbing. At the end of this course, you will be able to set up top ropes, lead climb and clean a route (transition from climbing to lowering off).
This course is suitable for recreational climbers and those working towards NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association) Rock leader or NZOIA Rock1 instructor awards.
Rock climbing course location
Our introductory climbing courses are delivered on the Port Hills in Christchurch. We meet at 8:30 am at Mt Pleasant Yacht Club/Scott Park (see Google Maps) on the first day. From Scott Park, it’s only 15mins to the climbing area. The group and your instructor will decide the climbing locations for each day, depending on the weather and the group’s abilities. We often use Albert Terrace, Cattlestop, Pop Up crag and Rapaki Rock climbing areas for this course.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation on Saturday night s included in the course. We stay at Living Springs at the head of Lyttleton Harbour, about 30 mins from Christchurch city. Please bring a sleeping bag a pillow. You will have access to a kitchen for self-catering, or you may choose to buy dinner from the local pub.
FOOD
This is a self-catered course. A full kitchen is available at living Springs for self-catering. Or you can choose to buy a meal at the local pub for dinner and pick up lunch and snacks from the cafe each day. We recommend you have. A full packing list is available to download at the bottom of this page.
TRANSPORT
Free transport is available from any Christchurch accommodation if you’re travelling from out of town to attend one of our courses. Please book a central city or south Christchurch accommodation.
Meeting locations (catch a ride with us)
If you are bringing your car, please meet us at one of the following locations:
- Mt Pleasant Yacht Club / Scott Park (entrance off Main Road, Mt Pleasant) (see on google maps)
TRAVELLING FROM OUT OF TOWN?
We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day before your course. We have a few hotel & hostel suggestions on our FAQ’s page. Please avoid booking accommodation north or east of the city centre. We are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly at the airport at the end of the course. The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 5 pm.
GEAR & EQUIPMENT
You don’t need your own rock climbing gear for this course. We have all the specialist gear & equipment available for you to borrow. If you have your own gear, we encourage you to bring it along as it’s better to train with the gear you own. A full gear list is available to download at the bottom of this page.
This rock climbing course includes
Safety
- Climbing Calls
- Buddy checks
- Personal safety at the top of the crag
- Spotting the lead climber
- Assessing the safety of climbing routes
- Checking and assessing climbing gear for damage
Belaying
- Top rope belaying with an ATC/belay plate
- Lead belaying ATC/belay plate
- Top rope belaying with a GriGri
- Lead belaying with a GriGri
Climbing Styles
- Top rope Climbing
- Lead climbing
Climbing techniques
- Basic movement techniques/body positioning
- Footwork techniques
- Handhold techniques
Climbing Anchors
- Sport-anchor (using quickdraws)
- Toprope anchor/y-shape anchor (using sling and carabiners)
Transitions
- Lead climbing to set up a top-rope climb for a friend
- Cleaning a climb/retrieving your gear from the top when you finish climbing
How many people will be on my course?
We believe that small groups are better for this type of training. So we have a maximum client to instructor ratio of just eight clients to one instructor.
DOES THIS ROCK CLIMBING COURSE HAVE MINIMUM NUMBERS?
Yes, the minimum number for the course to proceed at the advertised price is two clients. We won’t cancel your course if we don’t meet our minimum numbers, though. Instead, we will offer you the following options:
a.) A shorter private course with 1-1 tuition – e.g. with one person we can cover the course content much faster, so fewer days are needed.
b.) You will be offered to continue with the course as planned and cover the extra cost.
c.) We can transfer you to another course.
See what our clients have to say
“The techniques that were introduced made a massive difference to my climbing” – Samantha Taylor, Wellington
“Really fun weekend, great safe experience. will come again” – James Hoodson, Canterbury
“A fantastic course provided by enthusiastic friendly and passionate teacher” -Andy Sreath, Auckland
COURSE DOWNLOADS
