amga spi course

The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Course is not just the quintessential course for aspiring guides, but one that many recreational climbers take to ensure that when they take friends and family out climbing, they are doing so in a manner that is consistent with professional rock climbing instructor standards. Regardless of your ultimate goal, the AMGA SPI Course is packed with valuable information and techniques for even the most seasoned rock climber.

who is this course for?

The AMGA SPI certification is the only internationally recognized single pitch climbing instructor certification program in the US. Developed to fit in the AMGA Rock Program and greatly improve the climbing instructor’s skill sets, the 3-day course covers all the required skills sets for managing a single pitch site from the base or top of the cliff. The course teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting.

  • The program is for current, active rock climbers who have a real desire to teach rock climbing to novices in a single pitch setting.

  • For those who want to significantly improve instructor skill sets and integrates into the next level of training, the AMGA Rock Instructor Course.

  • The AMGA SPI Course is a 27-hour training course that normally runs as three consecutive nine-hour days or day classes with evening sessions.

    The AMGA SPI Exam is a minimum of 16 hours run over a two-day period.

    SPI Certification lasts for three years as long as the candidate keeps current AMGA Membership and First Aid Certification.

    After three years, current SPI certified instructors can re-take the SPI Exam to regain the SPI certification.

    Taking any higher level AMGA Course also recertifies the SPI certification for another three years.

  • • You are a Professional Member of the AMGA.

    • You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.

    • You are at least 18 years old at the time of the course.

    • You have at least 12 months prior climbing experience.

    • You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).

    • You have led a minimum of 15 traditional rock climbing routes (any grade).

    • You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.

    The above prerequisites are absolute minimums. Without having at least this amount experience you are unlikely to make best use of the training.

  • Day 1:

    — SPI and AMGA Program Overview
    — Professionalism
    — Equipment
    — Knots and Hitches
    — Belaying
    — Protection and Anchoring
    — Teaching
    End of Day Debriefs

    Day 2:

    — The Climbing Site
    — Site Organization and Group Management
    — Base Managed Sites
    — Assistance Skills – Base Managed Sites
    — Programming and Risk Management
    End of Day Debriefs

    Day 3:

    — Instructor Demo Lead Climb
    — Top Managed Sites
    — Lowering
    — Assistance Skills – Top Managed Sites
    — Rappelling
    — Climbing Movement
    — Review Sessions

    Final Individual and Group Debriefs

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