NICAS Climbing and NICAS Bouldering

Introduction

NICAS Climbing and NICAS Bouldering (often known as NIBAS) are nationally run award schemes run by the Association of British Climbing (ABC)  Walls Training Trust, a charitable arm of the ABC Walls).

NICAS Climbing (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme) focusses on skills and abilities around roped climbing, though bouldering skills are usually taught also.  

NICAS Bouldering (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme) is centred around the discipline of bouldering only.  This is particularly useful for areas without a roped wall, or for children who are passionate about bouldering and not bothered about roped climbing!

The majority of climbing walls around the country will run one or both of these courses.  These courses will be run by instructors who have undertaken specific NICAS training to a satisfactory level, allowing them to best support all young climbers regardless of ability or experience.

NICAS Climbing

The NICAS Climbing aims are: 

• 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, its 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.

The NICAS Climbing Levels

There are five NICAS Climbing levels.  Climbers work through each one in turn:

1. New Climber.  An entry level aimed at novices that recognises their ability to climb safely under supervision.
2. Foundation Climber.  Aimed at promoting good practice in climbing and bouldering unsupervised on an artificial wall.
3. Technical Climber.  A more advanced top-roping and bouldering award that focusses on developing technique and movement skills. This is aimed at ensuring a candidate possesses the knowledge and skill to climb and belay safely at any climbing facility (whether or not under supervision or with back-up) and operate in a responsible manner. Achievement at this level is broadly equivalent to a pass at GCSE.
4. Lead Climber.  Concentrating on the skills required to lead climb proficiently. Aimed at developing a self-motivated climber who has a wide range of skills and has reached a high level of competence, with a desire to progress by identifying and setting goals.
5. Advanced Climber.  The top-level award that focuses on improving performance, a deeper understanding of climbing systems and the wider world of climbing, as well as experience of local and national competitions.

NICAS Bouldering

NICAS Bouldering aims are:

• to develop climbing movement skills and improve levels of ability
• to learn 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 other boulderers
• to provide a structure for development, motivation and improved performance
• to develop an understanding of the sport, its history and ethics
• to provide a record of personal achievement
• to point the way to further disciplines and challenges in climbing beyond the scheme.

The NICAS Bouldering Levels

There are five NICAS Bouldering levels.  Boulderers work through each one in turn:

1. New Boulderer.  An entry level award for candidates who wish to learn what bouldering is as a physical activity and how to use a bouldering wall safely.
2. Foundation Boulderer. Aimed at helping the candidate to understand how a bouldering wall works, and basic preparation and control while bouldering, with an introduction to equipment and movement skills.
3. Competent Boulderer.  Corresponding to most bouldering–only centres’ “membership” standards. This is aimed at ensuring a candidate possesses the knowledge and skill to boulder safely at any bouldering facility and operate in a responsible manner.
4. Skilled Boulderer.  Aimed at developing a self–motivated boulderer who has a wide range of skills and has reached a high level of competence, with a desire to progress by identifying and setting goals.
5. Performance Boulderer.  The top–level award that focuses on improving performance, with advanced skills and knowledge of training and bouldering as well as experience of local and national competitions.

For more information, and to find a climbing centre near you that runs NICAS schemes, visit https://www.nicas.co.uk/