Education

Within the TSAC several courses can be followed.

• Courses a for climbing certification. Members can follow climbing courses and get an official climbing certification — called a "klimvaardigheidsbewijs" or "KVB" in Dutch — from the Dutch Climbing & Mountaineering Association (NKBV). These certifications are acknowledged in the Netherlands and Belgium and some climbing gyms require you to show this card before you are allowed to climb there. 

• Training to become an instructor. For the more experienced climbers it is possible to become an (assistant) instructor or instructor trainer/examiner. When you pass your instructor exam you can get diploma and a license that is registered at the NKBV. You are only allowed to instruct if you have an active license, each year you have to renew your license by following certain refresher courses.

TNO organises the courses for the indoor climbing and rescue techniques for outdoor climbing. In the course schedule you can find the exact dates and times at which the courses are given and how to apply for them.

Course overview

Indoor Toprope (KVB-IT)

This course is mandatory for all new TSAC-members who aren’t already in possession of this certification. With this certification a member is allowed to toprope in the Sports Centre if there is an attendant (Dutch: "zaalwacht") present.

Course material Indoor Toprope

Indoor Lead Climbing (KVB-IV)

This course is a follow up for the Indoor Toprope course and meant for people who would like to lead climb on the walls of the Sports Centre. With this certificate a member is allowed to toprope and lead climb in the Sports Centre if there is an attendant present. Additionally if they have passed a theoretical exam they are allowed to climb without an attendant present with at least two others who are equally or higher certified. To start this course a member has to be able to climb at least 3 routes on the concrete wall with relative ease. This is a requirement when the course takes place inside the sports centre, but it doesn't guarantee that a climber can join the course.

Course material Indoor Lead Climbing

Outdoor Lead Climbing (KVB-OV)

The course is a follow up for the Indoor Lead Climbing course and meant for people who want to start rock climbing. With this certificate you are allowed to climb single length and properly bolted routes without direct supervision. You can also get the additional qualifications Multi Pitch (MP) and Traditional (Trad) climbing.

Course material Outdoor Lead Climbing

• The qualification Multi-Pitch climbing is meant for people who want to climb routes of multiple pitches. In this course several rescue techniques and the use of twin- and double rope techniques will be taught.

• The qualification Traditional climbing is meant for people who want to climb non-bolted routes. In this course climbing on your own protection will be taught. At TSAC the Multi-Pitch qualification is required for the Trad qualification.

License courses

The TSAC also offers NKBV acknowledged license courses. If you like to follow a course like that yourself, you can contact the TSAC-coursecentre, by sending an email to opleidingscentrum@tsac.alpenclub.nl.

Assistant Sport Climbing Instructor (Level 2)

Indoor Toprope (SKB2-IT)

An SKB2-IT can assist a SKI3 in giving a toprope course and is allowed to be an attendant (‘zaalwacht’) at the walls of the UT. The NKBV exam for SKB2-IT only consists of a portfolio rating by an external examinator. The course consists of giving an Indoor Toprope course with exam under supervision of a PB.

Outdoor (SKB2-outdoor)

An SKB2-outdoor can also mentor inexperienced climbers on outdoor rock. People on Trad level can also do this in non bolted terrain. An SKB2-outdoor can also help giving indoor and outdoor courses supervised by a SKI3. You can do this course when you have the KVB-OV-MP certificate an can at least lead climb a 5b outdoors with ease.The course for SKB2-outdoor consists of internship with a PB. The NKBV-exam will be a portfolio rating and a practice exam that will be done by an external examinator.

Sport Climbing Instructor (Level 3)

Indoor Toprope (SKI3-IT)

Indoor Lead Climbing (SKI3-IV)

An SKI3-IV can give instruction at the walls of the UT. The NKBV-exam will be a portfolio and practice examination. The last one is giving an Indoor Lead course under supervision of an external examinator.

Outdoor Lead Climbing (SKI3-OV)

An SKI3-OV can and may do everything a SKB2-outdoor and a SKI3-IV can and may do, but is also allowed to give an OV course outdoors and lead TSAC weekends. The licence SKI3-OV is  and optional modules for Multi-Pitch and Trad climbing. The NKBV-exam is a portfolio examination with several practice exams, which are supervised by external examinators. When being examined, the candidate should also be in possession of valid outdoor First Aid.

Instructor Trainer (PB/LC)

A practice mentor (praktijkbegeleider in Dutch thus PB) can mentor sports climbing mentors or instructors to be while doing their practice on the level on which the PB himself as a SKI3 licence.

A learning coach coordinates the total educational trajectory of a sports climbing mentor or instructor to be. A learning coach is always a PB.

Instructor Examiner (BE)

An assessor (beoordelaar in Dutch so BE) is allowed to examinate all licence exams for the NKBV for which he himself has a licence. An assessor is always a PB.