Redpoint Climbing Centre is the only Primary Centre for NICAS in the West Midlands.
The National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme (NICAS) is a UK wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing structures.
NICAS can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering.
At Redpoint, we have integrated NICAS as an option for all participants in our Rock Monkeys Climbing Club. We also deliver the scheme to schools, youth groups and adults. As a Primary Centre we have a dedicated NICAS Course Director, Martin Cleaver, who can answer any enquiries.
NICAS is a nationally recognised logbook scheme to enable young climbers to develop indoor climbing skills, keep a record of their achievements and gain certificates as they progress through each level.
This scheme has five levels and participants can join the scheme at any level appropriate to their existing skills.
1. Foundation climber – an entry level award aimed at novices, which recognises their ability to climb safely under supervision.
2. Top rope climber – aimed at promoting good practice in climbing and bouldering independently on an artificial wall.
3. Technical climber – a more advanced top roping and bouldering award that focuses on developing technique and movement skills.
4. Lead climber – concentrating on the skills required to both lead climb and lead belay proficiently.
5. Advanced climber – the top level award that focuses on improving performance, a deeper understanding of climbing systems and the wider world of climbing.
The Aims of the Scheme
* to develop climbing movement skills and improve levels of ability.
* to learn climbing rope-work and how to use equipment appropriately.
* to develop risk assessment and risk management skills in the sport.
* to work as a team, communicate with, and trust a climbing partner.
* to provide a structure for development, motivation and improved performance.
* to develop an understanding of the sport, it’s history and future challenges.
* to provide a record of personal achievement.
* to point the way to further disciplines and challenges in climbing beyond the scheme.
Structure Of The Scheme
The scheme comprises five levels of award aimed at complete novices to expert climbers. The scheme is split into two parts and takes a minimum of 100 hours to complete in its entirety. Part 1 contains Levels 1 and 2 and Part 2 contains Levels 3 to 5. Upon registering with an Awarding Centre candidates receive a log booklet for Part 1 and a log folder for Part 2. After achieving each level they are awarded with a certificate.
After being successfully piloted at selected walls in the UK, the scheme has now been nationally launched and we are proud to be the West Midlands Primary Centre for NICAS.
Everyone in our Rock Monkeys kids' climbing group will have the opportunity to join the scheme (though its not compulsory) This is the only logbook scheme that we will be running at Redpoint and anyone can join the scheme at an appropriate level.
Schools, Scouts, Youth Clubs and D of E Award participants can all use NICAS to meet their needs and gain suitable accreditation. NICAS is not just for kids, either! The scheme is just as suitable for adults wishing to develop their climbing skills.
The cost of registration, logbooks and certificates are -
Levels 1 & 2 combined £4.00
Levels 3, 4 and 5 combined £7.50.
Lots more information and downloads are available on the NICAS website www.nicas.co.uk, or contact us Redpoint.
Here are a few of Redpoint's NICAS candidates receiving their certificates....
.jpg "Katie with her Level 1 NICAS certificate March 2010")
