Registration for the new Bouldering Wall Instructor qualification is now open and Beyond the Edge are proud to be one of the providers delivering the qualification.
The Bouldering Wall Instructor (BWI) is a nationally recognised qualification created by Mountain Training. It is aimed at those who work or volunteer at indoor/artificial bouldering venues.
Why Bouldering Wall Instructor and why now?
The majority of new climbing walls only are bouldering only walls*, currently there are two entry level routes into instructing in these centres. One is in-house training, which is specific to one bouldering wall and cannot be transferred to other centres. The other is the Climbing Wall Instructor qualification: a nationally recognised qualification that transfers between walls but which requires the candidate to instruct in a roped climbing wall and be competent in roped climbing – skills irrelevant to bouldering wall instructors.
The Bouldering Wall Instructor qualification is nationally recognised and transferable between centres, complements the coaching qualifications and does not require any personal or instructed roped climbing. This makes the qualification ideal for those who would like to coach or instruct specifically in bouldering walls.
Our course directors
Course directors Hati and Claire coaching at the Climbing Works
Claire
I have worked in the outdoors since 2008 and bouldering remains my favourite discipline. I am now part of the first cohort of the Mountain Training Performance Coach qualification, having completed the training in 2024. I am also in my second year of a three year Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Why am I excited about the Bouldering Wall Instructor qualification? There are now multiple avenues into the professional instructing pathway, which is something that I really like. It’s great that there is now a qualification for people who are passionate about bouldering specifically, which means that aspiring bouldering instructors won’t have to jump through the hoops of a roped climbing qualification that they may not be passionate about.
I believe that the Bouldering Wall Instructor will allow people to expand their skills and repertoire as instructors, whilst also formalising bouldering coaching and instructing within the Mountain Training ethos and pathways.
Hati
I started my coaching career as the ‘party person’ at a bouldering wall in 2014. I have been a part of the furniture ever since working with beginner boulderers of all ages, improvers groups and development squads. As a coach and instructor I take a person-centred approach, with adaptation and enjoyment being key to my ethos.
I am really honoured to be a part of the small team of course directors across the country delivering the Bouldering Wall Instructor, which I feel has been a long time coming.
By focusing the qualification on bouldering alone, we can prioritise exploring the joys and challenges specific to bouldering with a group in a way that it has not been possible in the roped climbing qualifications. Roped climbing has felt like a barrier for many aspiring bouldering coaches and instructors, who will undoubtedly be wonderful additions to our profession.
BtE coaches Claire and Hati chatting with a group
What you need to know
Minimum age for training: 16
Minimum age for assessment: 18
Training: 7 hours (1 day + online learning)
Assessment: 3 hours
Find dates and learn more about the Bouldering Wall Instructor qualification on our website.
The Bouldering Wall Instructor Candidate handbook can be found here.
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses. Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest rock climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
