National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes (NICAS) are an introduction to climbing and provide a gateway to learning more about the sport. The key aim is to provide a safe introduction to climbing for young people by using artificial climbing structures (i.e. indoor climbing walls). Those who are keen to 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. The nationally-recognised scheme also helps to standardise the teaching and coaching of young people in an engaging manner.
What does it involve?
Level 1 (New Climber) Introduces beginners to roped climbing, and recognises their ability to climb safely under supervision.
​The skills they will learn are: Fitting a harness, Tying a Fig 8, Climbing 10 routes, Belaying under supervision