Wānaka Crag Fest - Climbing Clinics 2026

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. 

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 - TBC - Kai Whaka Pai/Riverside/Roadside
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 - TBC - 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, rope between 2 participants

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 – TBC - Roadside/Riverside/Hospital Flat

Ratio: 1:6 (minimum 4)

Cost: $80

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

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 - TBC - Riverside
Ratio 1:6 (minimum 4)
Cost: $120
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, quickdraws, carabiners, chalk, personal anchor system/lanyard, rope between 2 participants

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
• Belaying a trad climber
• Leading a route - placing bomber trad gear, managing rope drag
• Getting off - How to descend, cleaning trad gear on descent

Venue - TBC - Kai Whaka Pai/Hospital Flat

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, rope between 2 participants

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 - TBC - Roadside/Pre school
Ratio: 1:4 (minimum 3)
Cost: $150
Equipment: Harness, helmet, belay device, rock shoes, quickdraws, carabiners, chalk, personal anchor system/lanyard, rope between 2 participants

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 – TBC - 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

Thanks to our Crag Fest Partners for helping to bring the Fest back for 2026!

SCARPA | BLACK DIAMOND | PETZL|INSELBERG
 

And thanks to our Crag Fest Supporters!

Bivouac Outdoor | Further Faster |Aspiring Guides

Thanks to our Clinic Sponsors! 

Back to main Crag Fest Page here.