Single Pitch Sport Instructor

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The Single Pitch Sport Instructor (SPSI) certification has been designed to equip Moroccan climbing instructors with the skills necessary to facilitate and teach rock climbing in the single pitch sport climbing environment. This program was modeled after the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor certification and has been designed to meet the unique needs of the growing climbing community in Morocco. It has been developed by an AMGA Certified Rock Guide but has no official endorsement by the AMGA. The course and assessment will be conducted in English and translated into Moroccan Arabic.

  • This program is for experienced climbers who have a desire to teach and safely facilitate single pitch sport climbing.
  • The SPSI course consists of three days of training, including both classroom and on-site (outdoors) instruction.
  • Topics covered include but are not limited to: professionalism, equipment, knots and hitches, belaying, anchoring, teaching, group management, assistance/rescue skills, risk management, lowering, rappelling, and climbing movement.
  • The SPSI assessment is two days and must be passed before certification is obtained.
  • Certification remains valid until three years after the assessment completion as long as the candidate keeps current first aid certification.
  • After three years a current SPSI can retake the assessment to renew certification.

SPSI Course Prerequisites

  • You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch sport 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 lead climbing experience.
  • You have led a minimum of 20 different outdoor sport climbing routes (any grade).
  • You are capable of comfortably leading 6a.
The above prerequisites are absolute minimums and without this minimum level of experience, candidates will find the SPSI course difficult.

SPSI Assessment Prerequisites

  • You have successfully completed the Single Pitch Sport Instructor Course.
  • You have led a minimum of 40 routes, most of which should be 5b or harder and on a variety of rock types.
  • You are able to comfortably lead 6b routes.
  • You are able to comfortably climb 6c on top rope.
  • The SPSI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPSI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the assessment prerequisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPSI Course candidate take time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (4-8 months).
  • Current First Aid certification is mandatory prior to completing the SPSI assessment.

Dates and price

SPSI Course: May 29-31, 2023

SPSI Course Price: 600 MAD

SPSI Assessment: TBD

SPSI Assessment Price: 400 MAD

How to Apply

Submit the necessary documents (see below) on or before March 30, 2023 to info@climbmorocco.com with the subject “SPSI Application”
  1. Documents required for application:
    • A paragraph explaining how you started to climb and what you hope to gain or learn from this course.
    • Your climbing resume (click here to see an example climbing resume)
    • A photo of your Moroccan guide license (if you are applying for the discount)
  2. (If accepted) pay the 100 MAD course reservation fee to secure your spot. Final payment is due on or before May 1, 2023.