| Level | Climbing skills | Safety |
| 9
(20) |
All climbing & abseiling core & advanced skills performed consistently to a high standard and used effectively in competitive situations on a variety of challenging routes. | All core safety skills performed successfully with no guidance in a variety of conditions.
Advanced skills are performed with no guidance. |
| 8
(18-19) |
All climbing & abseiling core skills performed consistently on challenging routes.
All advanced climbing & abseiling skills performed to a very good standard. |
All core safety skills performed successfully with no guidance in a variety of conditions.
Advanced skills are performed with no guidance. |
| 7
(16-17) |
All climbing & abseiling core skills performed consistently on challenging routes.
Most advanced climbing & abseiling skills performed consistently. |
All core safety skills performed successfully with no guidance in a variety of conditions.
Advanced skills are performed with no guidance. |
| 6
(14-15) |
All climbing & abseiling core skills performed consistently across a variety of different routes.
Advanced climbing & abseiling skills have varying consistency. (Heel/toe hook, overhang, layback) |
All core safety skills performed successfully with no guidance.
Advanced safety skills are attempted with varying consistency. (Multiple belay, belaying during a fall) |
| 5
(11-13) |
All climbing & abseiling core skills performed consistently across a variety of different routes.
Advanced climbing & abseiling skills are attempted with some success on easier routes. (Mantle, flagging, use of prussik, back stepping) |
All core safety skills performed successfully with no guidance.
Advanced safety skills are attempted but require guidance. (Multiple belay, belaying during a fall) |
| 4
(8-10) |
All climbing & abseiling core skills have moderate success using easier routes.
(3 points of contact, bridge, rockover, inside edges) |
All core safety skills performed to a good standard and require no guidance.
(Figure of 8 knot, bowline and solo belaying) |
| 3
(6-7) |
climbing & abseiling have little consistency on easier routes.
(3 points of contact, bridge, rockover, inside edges) |
Good knowledge & understanding of safety skills. Able to put on a harness, use climbing calls and solo belay. Able to tie figure of 8 knot under guidance. |
| 2
(4-5) |
Can demonstrate some climbing & abseiling techniques with limited success on simple routes.
(3 points of contact, bridge, rockover, inside edges) |
Good knowledge & understanding of safety skills. Able to put on a harness, use climbing calls and solo belay with close guidance. |
| 1
(1-3) |
Can make very simple climbing moves on the traverse wall and main routes using large holds. | Some knowledge & understanding of safety skills. Can successfully put on a harness and use basic climbing calls. Able to group belay. |
| W3 | Can make progress on traverse wall and make some progress up the main routes. Relies very heavily on belayer and large holds. | Some understanding and application of safety skills. Requires assistance when using safety equipment (harness/belaying) |
| W2 | Can support body weight on the traverse and make limited progress on the main routes. Relies very heavily on belayer. | Limited understanding and application of safety skills. Requires constant reminders when using safety equipment. |
| W1 | Has knowledge of climbing techniques and able to apply some on the traverse wall. | Limited understanding or application of safety skills |
Advanced Skills
Climbing techniques:
Mantle, overhang, layback, heel hook, flagging, back stepping, toe hook, abseiling using prussik.
Belaying:
Multiple belay, belaying a climber during a fall.
Core skills
Safety:
Fitting harness & helmet and use of climbing calls.
Knots:
Bowline & figure of 8.
Climbing techniques:
3 points of contact, foot/hand jam, bridge, rockover, inside edges, abseiling.
Belaying:
Single & double point, use of anchors.
Tactics
- Use of appropriate equipment.
- Which route to take.
- When to take risks.
- Changing tactics due to difficulty of climb or competition.
- Awareness of conditions.
- Awareness of strengths & weaknesses.
- Application of safety principles.
- Awareness of rules & regulations in competitive situations.