The first step: Indoor Toprope
What is toprope climbing? During toproping, the climber is secured by a rope that is attached to an anchor at the top of the climbing wall. On the other end of the rope, the belayer takes in the access rope while the climber ascends.
When you sign up for becoming a MaasSACer, your first membership fee includes the participation in the indoor toprope course. During this course you will be taught how to climb and belay safely. At the end of the course you will be tested on your skills and knowledge in order to receive an official NKBV certificate.
How do I sign up? No need to. Once you have signed up as a member we will contact you automatically to arrange the course for you.
What do you learn? You learn recognising risks, tying save knots, belaying with various devices, falling and climbing techniques.
You already have a license? Great! Then you can skip this step 😉
You have experience climbing but no license? Then you may not have to take the full course but for your own safety and that of your partner we would like to evaluate your climbing skills.
The second step: Indoor Lead Climbing
What is lead climbing? As opposed to toproping, the climber is not secured by a rope that is attached to an anchor at the top of the wall. Instead, the climber takes the rope up the wall and clips into quickdraws every couple of meters. The belayer has to give and take rope dynamically.
When can you learn it? We advise you to first get very comfortable with toproping before starting your lead climb career. There are many great toprope routes in our climbing gyms that are challenging and fun. However, you are qualified to attempt a lead climbing course as soon as you have your toprope certificate. We offer lead climbing courses several times a year. As the number of spots is limited, we sometimes have to select amongst our members. But the more active you are as a member (e.g., in committees), the better are your chances 😉
The Third Step...
Wow…you got hooked? Congratulations! You are ready to go outdoors. Outdoor Lead Climbing
What do you learn? Climbing outdoors is the ultimate goal of every climber but it also comes with more risks, challenges and requirements. Our instructors will teach you how to conquer these challenges and safely climb outdoors.
The Last Step: Instructor
There is only so much we can teach you and this is the final step we can offer you. See the world of climbing from a different perspective and introduce others to the world of rock climbing.
If you are interested in becoming an instructor yourself, please contact climbing-commissioner@maassac.com