Sports Studies, Recreation and Athletics (SSRA) Climbing Classes

SSRA Classes

Whitman offers a number of courses through the SSRA (Sports Studies, Recreation and Athletics) which count as one activity credit each:

*Reference course catalog to see fees

• 137 Beginning Indoor Rock Climbing (Fee - no trip required) 
• 138 Rock Climbing (Fee - trip required) 
• 237 Intermediate Indoor Rock Climbing (Fee - no trip required) 
• 238 Intermediate Rock Climbing (Fee - trip required)

The following climbing-related courses are offered less frequently and count for the number of academic credits indicated:

248 Climbing Wall Instructor 
This course provides instructors and potential instructors with an in-depth and standardized understanding of the skills essential to teaching climbing in an indoor setting. It is the first step in a sequential approach to professional climbing instructor development. The course reinforces the importance of teaching technically accurate information and debunks many common climbing myths. The course emphasizes the presentation of sound fundamental skills to climbing gym participants, the use of deliberate and effective instructional methods, the formation of risk assessment and risk management skills and basic problem-solving skills such as belay transitions and on-wall coaching and assist techniques. Participants will be assessed on both their core knowledge and their ability to effectively teach and coach related skills. Graded credit/no credit. [Fee]

265 Climbing Movement and Technique
This course is intended for current climbers interested in improving their movement skills and technique. This course will have a heavy bouldering and movement emphasis but will do some roped climbing as well. Attention will be given to both footwork and hand and arm techniques. Advanced movement skills such as crack climbing, off-width technique, knee bars, drop knee, flagging, monkey hangs, and much, much more will be covered along with taping and injury prevention techniques. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisite: SSRA 137, 138, 237, 238, or 248, or instructor consent. [Fee]

267 Climbing Training and Route Setting
This course is intended for climbers interested in learning how to train more effectively for personal climbing and/or competitions in addition to learning how to do effective route setting. There is a lot to good route setting and this course will cover risk management and safety concerns with route setting along with artistic elements. This course will have a heavy bouldering and movement emphasis but will do some roped work as well. Attention will be given to strength and endurance training, preventive techniques to avoid tendon damage and overuse injuries. Preventative taping and post-injury taping will be covered along with hold types, frequency and locations for holds to reduce and prevent certain common overuse or athletic climbing injuries. Movement skills, advanced climbing techniques and training drills and concepts will also be covered. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisite: SSRA 137, 138, 237, 238, or 248, or instructor consent. [Fee]

338 Improvised Rock Rescue Systems 
This course is designed to train skilled lead climbers in improvised self-rescue systems for technical rock climbing. It is useful for both single-pitch and multi-pitch climbers. It is especially useful for instructors and advanced climbers to help them both analyze and mitigate potential hazards and problems. It also will enable them to initiate self-rescue through a variety of tried and true systems that can be combined and used in various ways. Ascension systems, escaping the belay, passing a knot, lowering systems, raising systems, counterbalance rappels, assisted rappels and other rescue concepts will be covered. Prerequisites: SSRA 238 or 387 or consent of instructor. [Fee]

387 Advanced Climbing: Single Pitch Instructor Course 
This course is designed for strong climbers interested in becoming climbing instructors and managing an institutional single-pitch climbing site. Emphasis will be on developing an awareness of liability concerns and how to mitigate risk. Topics that will be covered include movement on rock, knots and rope systems, anchors, protection placement, rappelling, belaying, lead climbing, following, single-pitch rescue techniques, teaching techniques, route setting and climbing wall management. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. [Fee]

Kids’ Classes

We offer a variety of kids’ classes at the Climbing Center each semester. For the latest information, please contact our Climbing Center Manager, Kenzie Bay, at baym@whitman.edu, or visit the Climbing Center main page.

Private Lessons (Offered Anytime)

• Instruction: 1 to 4 kids**, tailored to their individual skills and goals, 1-hour session.
• Pricing: $25 for the first kid per hour; $15 for each additional kid** per hour.

* Includes gear and entrance
** Max 6 kids (4 is the recommended max)

Beginners Classes

Climbing Basics Class (for ages 14+)
Learn the basics of bouldering and top rope climbing and belaying in the gym, over the course of 4 one-hour classes.