SPA training and more….
Over the weekend we ran our first SPA training course of the year here in Pembrokeshire. We had 4 keen and experienced candidates, a few of whom work for TYF, a local company I also act as Technical Advisor for, so it was fun to be out with friends! A couple of the candidates had done their SPA training almost 17 years ago, so a refresher was needed and I was keen to see how much they’d remembered!
Thankfully the sun played ball and after a morning inside at the Llanion Cove climbing wall looking at group use and problem solving, we headed to Newton Head, a brilliant SPA crag next to the popular Pembrokeshire climbing spot of St Govans. Looking at personal lead Climbing and abseiling skills in the Sunshine in a beautiful setting, we soon filled a long day of SPA training…
Paul leading at Newton Head during this weekends SPA training in Pembrokeshire
Day 2 of the SPA training in Pembrokeshire and the focus was group set ups and more problem solving. Top ropes, bottom ropes, group abseils and a “mock assessment” to finish rounded off an excellent weekend of SPA training with 4 strong candidates who I’ve no doubt will easily go on to their assessments…
Group Abseil practise during an SPA training course in Pembrokeshire
The next day I had the company of John and Luke, John having climbed on the sea cliffs before was keen to explore a new area, and Luke had never climbed before so was keen for anything! Some big abseils for Luke’s first time and some new skills for John, who has his CWA training comping up. I guided them up 8 routes, up to E1, the lads put in loads of effort and we had a really fun day at Caerfai!
Climbing at Caerfai on a guided climbing day in Pembrokeshire
My next day was yet more Instructor training. This time an SPA refresher for Andrew, who is doing his SPA assessment with us later in the month. He was keen to check what he was doing was all perfect and get into an assessment frame of mind. Over a day at Newton Head we looked at most parts of the SPA syllabus that people tend to struggle on during sssessments, from groupmset ups to problem solving and personal skills. Andrew clearly had been working hard towards his assessment and I showed him some ways to make things slicker and more efficient – but he should feel confident ahead of the day certainly!
Andrew practising at Newton Head during an SPA refresher course in Pembrokeshire
As the weather was so good I couldn’t resist an after work climb! As I was on my own I headed down Huntsmans Leap to shunt up a few routes there – the place all to myself and lovely weather – what more could I ask for!
Huntsmans Leap, Pembrokeshire