Single Pitch Award

There are a huge number of SPA providers throughout Britain, so why should you book with us?
1. We present the course syllabus in a relaxed, fun atmosphere, with the emphasis on interactive learning to encourage you to ask questions and get the most out of your time with us.
2. We view the assessment course as an opportunity for extending your learning and competence.
3. Our clients think we do a great job! Here’s what some of our recent clients say about our courses:
Thanks again for an unforgettable couple of days - taken in so much, learned loads and had fun to boot. Sean Turner, SPA training, May 2009
A big thank you for the SPA training. I will certainly come to you for an assessment - you can bank on excellent recommendations from me! Kevin White, SPA training, May 2009
4. We offer discounts to returning clients: 5% off to any candidate who has previously done an MLA course with us or 10% off to assessment candidates who have previously done their training with us.

If you are working/volunteering in sport or outdoor pursuits in Cumbria or Lancashire, you may qualify for funding to cover 40% of the course fee. You will be required to deliver a minimum of 15 hours of volunteering in return for this support. Full details are available at http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/getqualified.

The Single Pitch Award (SPA) scheme has been designed to provide a level of basic competence for those who are in a position of responsibility during single pitch rock climbing activities. It focuses on good practice which allows safe and quiet enjoyment of the sport, and it is valid throughout the UK and Ireland. There are five stages to the scheme:

1. Pre-registration

Before registering for the award, you must:

2. Registration

Register with the MLTE at http://www.mlte.org (tel 01690 720314). You will be issued with a logbook for recording your climbing and supervising experience.

3. The Training Course

The Training Course is at least two days, and may include evening sessions. Before undertaking the course you must have at least twelve months experience of rock climbing, and have led a minimum of 15 graded outdoor climbs with leader-placed protection. The course emphasises skills which candidates might have difficulty in learning without expert guidance. You will be given individual recommendations for the consolidation period. Experienced climbers with substantial experience of supervising groups on single pitch crags and climbing walls may apply for exemption from the training course.

4. The Consolidation Period

The Consolidation Period should be used to practice and evaluate new ideas and techniques seen on the training course. You are advised to climb at as wide a range of venues as possible, both as an individual and when assisting the supervision of others. A minimum of six months between training and assessment is recommended by the MLTB, but your trainer will advise you on this. There is no time limit on the consolidation period - you can take as long as you need between training and assessment. We offer SPA Refreshers if you need to brush up on your personal climbing and/or group skills before you undertake your assessment - either as part of a scheduled training course, or on a private guiding basis.

5. The Assessment Course

The Assessment Course is again at least two days, and may include evening sessions. Before you undertake the assessment, you should have:

Your result will be either pass, deferred (complete proficiency has not been demonstrated in one aspect of the syllabus), or fail (performance generally weak, or necessary experience and attributes not shown).

Outline Syllabus for Training and Assessment Courses

We operate a flexible programme, allowing us to make the most of the weather conditions. We send you a question paper to complete at home and bring to the course.
Day One: Start 9.00am. Crag 1: group session skills - top & bottom belays, anchors, abseil set up, problem awareness and solving, bouldering.
Evening session: use of climbing walls, discussion of climbing ethics. Finish around 8.00pm
Day Two: Start 9.00am. Crag 2: personal skills - leading, stance management. Uses and abuses of equipment. Review of the weekend as needed. Finish around 4.30pm.

Venues

All our listed courses are run in the South Lakes area. We use single pitch crags in the Langdale Valley, Little Langdale, Tilberthwaite, Lower Eskdale, North Yorkshire and Lancashire. Our choice of crag varies with each course, depending on the weather conditions and the participants. We can also provide courses in other parts of the country on request.

Dates

Training Courses:
Thursday 22nd to Friday 23rd April 2010
Tuesday 28th to Wednesday 29th September 2010
If you have a group of four or more, we can put on an extra course on a date to suit you.
Assessment Courses:
Monday 26th to Tuesday 27th April 2010
Monday 18th to Tuesday 19th October 2010
If you have a group of two or more, we can put on an extra course on a date to suit you.

Cost

Training and assessment courses: £149
5% off to any candidate who has previously done an MLA course with us or 10% off to assessment candidates who have previously done their training with us.
Both non-residential. Entry to the climbing wall is not included - around £5-£6. Refreshers:

Equipment

Insurance

We strongly recommend that all our clients take out personal insurance to cover against cancellation and curtailment, loss of personal belongings, etc. Try the British Mountaineering Council, tel 0161 445 6111.

Booking Conditions

Please send a £50 non-refundable deposit cheque with your booking form. The balance of the course fee will be due 14 days before the start of the course. If the booking is made within 14 days of the course start date, please send the full fee with the booking form. If you cancel for any reason and we cannot fill your place, we will expect you to pay the full fee as arranged and claim from the insurance company as appropriate. If we fill your place, we will refund your fee less the deposit. If we cancel, we will refund any money paid in full.