NICAS (The National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme) is a UK wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on indoor climbing walls. 

The key aim is to provide a safe introduction to climbing, and helps to standardise the teaching and coaching of climbing in a structured manner whilst providing lots of fun too. Those who progress through to the higher levels also start to look wider and learn more about the history, ethics and styles of both indoor and outdoor climbing, and it can be used as a starting point for eventually taking up climbing and mountaineering! This level is open to young climbers aged 8 years and up.

Level 3: Technical climber

This level is ONLY for kids who have a NICAS Level 2 certificate!

At Level 3, young climbers will learn:

• Knowledge of different harness types, helmets, rock shoes and belay devices – including the ability to evaluate their condition and ensure appropriate care and maintenance.
• Knots – figure of eight on the bight, clove hitch, overhand.
• Belaying using a variety of devices and choice of appropriate device.
• Knowledge of a wide range of appropriate climbing techniques
• Principles of good climbing movement
• The structure of a climbing session – warming up exercises, stretching, gentle climbing, peaking, warming down, rest
• Climbing websites, literature, magazines and films

Assessment criteria:

• Complete a minimum of 30 further logged top rope climbs.
• Demonstrate progression of at least one full grade on top roped climbs.
• Have knowledge of and demonstrate the use of different belay devices
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of basic indoor climbing equipment
• Demonstrate and explain 5 warming up exercises
• Complete a minimum of 20 boulder problems demonstrating improvement.
• Demonstrate and explain 5 different climbing techniques.
• Tie figure 8 on the bight, overhand knot and clove hitch
• Watch and describe a climbing film/video.
• Visit two climbing related websites and retrieve requested information.

Course Terms:

• This course runs over school term time only, and takes a minimum of 2 terms to finish. As such, you must book a space on this award each term.
• The cost of a NICAS course is £200 per term
• This course is for candidates aged 8+ years old only
• Please contact us for details on when the next courses / dates will be available from
• All equipment is provided, and a NICAS logbook is included in price

See our NICAS FAQs here for more info.