The National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme (NICAS) is the first UK wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing structures. It can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering or to document a climber’s progress. NICAS is open to climbers of 7 years of age and above and all abilities, as it covers aspects from the absolute basics to advanced climbing techniques.
Harrogate Climbing Centre is North Yorkshire’s only NICAS Primary Centre. We offer NICAS levels 1-3 as an option to anyone attending our Spiders or Scorpions sessions. The scheme can be delivered as part of our standard sessions, so there is no need to book onto a specialist course. Levels 4 & 5 can be taught in the centre, but will require smaller group sizes as we start dealing with lead climbing.
NICAS is ideal for school and youth groups who are looking to book a series of sessions at Harrogate Climbing Centre. Participants can do as much or as little of the scheme as they wish, as each level carries its own award and certificate. All participants have their own logbook and certificates to keep as a record of their achievements.
NICAS provides a structured scheme of achievement that is recognised by all participating walls. It can sit alongside GCSE and A Level PE courses (depending on the syllabus used) and can also be used as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s or Scouting awards to provide an extra award for participants.
The scheme is administered by the Association of British Climbing Walls Training Trust (ABCTT) and is recognised by the British Mountaineering Council, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Mountaineering Ireland.
Aims of the NICAS 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 NICAS Scheme
The scheme is comprised of five levels of award aimed at everyone from 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 costs £4, Part 2 contains Levels 3 to 5 and costs £7.50. After achieving each level candidates are awarded with a certificate on behalf of the ABCTT.
The five levels are:
1. Foundation Climber
An entry level aimed at novices that recognises their ability to climb safely under supervision.
2. Top Rope 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 level that focuses on developing technique and movement skills.
4. Lead Climber
Concentrates on the skills required to both lead climb and belay a lead climber.
5. Advanced Climber
The top level focuses on improving performance, a deeper understanding of climbing systems and the wider world of climbing.
For more information on the NICAS scheme, please visit www.nicas.co.uk or contact HCC’s NICAS co-ordinator, Tom Middleton.
