This award enables holders to supervise people on single pitch crags and climbing walls. To gain this award you need more than just good personal climbing skills. Our approved Course Providers will teach you about safe group management, indoors and out, crag etiquette, environmental responsibilities and more. You will learn how to become an effective supervisor, encouraging others to enjoy their climbing safely, whilst also improving some of your own climbing skills.

Registration Requirements:

• Minimum 18 years of age and 12 months climbing experience.
• Membership of an affiliated mountaineering club or a mountaineering council (you can join at a discounted rate using this PDF form)
• Have led a minimum of 15 outdoor routes of any grade, using leader placed protection.

Training
The SPA training course lasts for a minimum of 20 hours and is often run over an intensive weekend. Providers run their courses throughout the UK and at most times of the year. If you have an exceptionally high level of experience you may apply for exemption from the training course.

Consolidation
At the end of your course the training staff will develop with you a personal action plan that will guide you through this phase of the scheme (usually a period of at least six months).

Assessment
The assessment lasts for a minimum of 20 hours and includes personal climbing, group supervision and the use of climbing walls.
You must have led an absolute minimum of 40 climbs outdoors on leader placed protection. Some of these must be at least Severe grade and should be on a variety of rock types. You must have completed a SPA training course or successfully gained exemption from training and hold a valid First Aid qualification.