Wānaka Crag Fest - Climbing Clinics 2025

Learn something new or improve your climbing skills by joining one of our instructor-led climbing clinics. Regardless of whether you are a self-sufficient or supported climber, you can add any of the following climbing clinics to your festival ticket.

Friday half day: 11.30pm – 3.30pm

Basecamp Adventures - Intro to Outdoor Climbing

For those wanting to make the transition from indoors to the outdoor climbing realm.

Workshop topics:

Belaying with a variety of devices
Climbing techniques specific to outdoor rock
Climb some routes

Venue - Kai Whaka Pai/Riverside
Ratio 1:9 (minimum 6)
Cost: $50
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, chalk (optional)

Improving Sport Climbing Performance

For intermediate climbers wanting to take their sport climbing to the next level.

Workshop topics:

Training
Techniques for overcoming climbs at your limit
Tips for top performance

Venue - Hospital Flat

Ratio 1:6 (minimum 4)

Cost: $80
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, personal anchor system/lanyard, whatever trad gear you have

Foundational Rescue Skills

For intermediate climbers who want skills that will get them out of trouble when belaying from the top of a route.

Workshop topics:

Essential knots
Lowering a climber from guide mode
Assisting a second with a hauling system

Venue – Roadside/Riverside

Ratio: 1:6 (minimum 4)

Cost: $80

Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, carabiners, personal anchor system/lanyard

Youth Climbing Clinic

For those 13 – 18 year olds wanting to learn good techniques for safely climbing outdoors.

Workshop topics:

Belaying with a variety of devices
Climbing techniques specific to outdoor rock
Climb some routes

Venue - Kai Whaka Pai/Riverside
Ratio 1:9 (minimum 6)
Cost: $40
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, chalk, rope (if you have one).

Saturday full day: 9am – 4.00pm

Beginning to Lead

This course is aimed at climbers who are top roping outdoors and are keen to get on the sharp end of the rope. Participants will learn the ins and outs of leading sport routes safely and efficiently.

Workshop topics:

Setting up for the lead - rope, racking, tactics, communication
Leading a route - clipping, falling
Getting off - setting up to lower and abseil, cleaning anchors and draws

Venue - Riverside
Ratio 1:6 (minimum 4)
Cost: $120
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, quickdraws, carabiners, chalk, personal anchor system/lanyard

Wānaka Mountain Guides - Intro to Leading on Trad

For climbers leading on bolts and wanting to safely get into trad climbing. Led by Wānaka Mountain Guides.

Workshop Topics:

Setting up for the lead - rope, racking, tactics, communication
Leading a route - placing bomber trad gear, managing rope drag
Getting off - How to descend, cleaning trad gear on descent

Venue - Kai Whaka Pai

Ratio 1:4 (minimum 3)

Cost: $150
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, quickdraws, carabiners, chalk, personal anchor system/lanyard, whatever trad gear you have

Aspiring Guides - Multi Pitch Climbing

To learn techniques for safe and successful climbing in the multi pitch environment. Led by Aspiring Guides.

Workshop topics:

Efficient rope management
Communication
Anchor building
Rope management at anchors
Managing changeovers
Route finding

Venue - Roadside
Ratio: 1:4 (minimum 3)
Cost: $150
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, quickdraws, carabiners, chalk, personal anchor system/lanyard

Multi Pitch Rescue Skills

For intermediate to advanced climbers who want skills that will get them out of trouble on multi pitch routes.

Workshop topics:

Essential knots
Lowering a climber from guide mode
Getting to baseline/ retrieving a belay device from the system.
Assisting a second with a hauling system.
Descending a multi pitch route with an injured climber

Venue – Roadside/Riverside

Ratio: 1:4 (minimum 3)

Cost: $150
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, carabiners, personal anchor system/lanyard, rope between 2 people

Youth Lead Climbing Clinic

This clinic is aimed at young climbers who are top roping outdoors and are keen to get on the sharp end of the rope. Participants will learn the ins and outs of leading sport routes safely and efficiently.

Workshop topics:

Setting up for the lead - rope, racking, tactics, communication
Leading a route - clipping, falling
Getting off - setting up to lower and abseil, cleaning anchors and draws

Venue - Riverside
Ratio 1:6 (minimum 4)
Cost: $100
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, quickdraws, carabiners, chalk, personal anchor system/lanyard