http://hongkongclimbing.com/general/startingout.html

Dear Stuart,

I would like to offer some content updates on behalf of SCU.

We're now formed as a company with limited liability. The new name is Sport Climbing Union of Hong Kong http://www.hkscu.org/. (info@hkscu.org)

"Sport Climbing Union of Hong Kong - Contact person for English inquiries: Jonn@mac.com. SCU Mainline: +852 6019 8344

The SCUHK provide climbers with Beginner (top rope climbing) and Intermediate (Lead climbing) courses that will teach the student everything they need to safely Sport Climb. We recommend that both Levels are completed before you head outdoors to climb (unless you are accompanied by experienced climbers). The cost of these courses are currently $180 for the 12- hour Level 1 course, and $350+ for the 24-hour Level 2 Course.

Thanks!
Jonn

Dear Stuart and the HK climbing community at large,

I have been receiving a fair amount of traffic from this page alone, so I'll just add some additional info here.

The "Climb4Fun" group membership has brimmed over. As such, I've started a new group on Facebook, christened "The Project X Team". The same group of people, maintaining an open door policy, welcoming everyone regardless of climbing ability, creed, nationality =)

The X Team is one of the warmest and largest climbing groups in HK. We run multiple climb events each week, and our members also actively engage in diving, hiking, kayaking, camping etc.

Formed as a social rock climbing group, with the objective of promoting & nurturing interest in the sport & as a regular social activity. Our regulars are a fun motley crew of people from all walks of life; expatriates, locals, students, lecturers, teachers, corporate executives, biz owners, parents, crane operators, pilots from all over the world. A common love for climbing, long dinners and beer after a hard climb unites us =)

We provide a very warm, conducive, family-friendly and safe environment for climbers, regardless of age, gender, race, creed and climbing ability.

Registered as a not-for-profit affiliated club under the "Sport Climbing Union of Hong Kong", our resident climbing instructors and veterans in our membership help us maintain a 100% safety / accident-free record.

We currently run several artificial wall climbs each week at various climb venues.

We have Facebook presence, do add yourself to the group for climb schedules and activities:

The Project X Team:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27268073666

Last edited by Jonn on Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:50 am, edited 3 times in total

Dear All,

I have been receiving inquires of this nature, just to share more information about how local certifications work.

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25 Mar 2009, at 22:19, Jessica wrote:
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Hi Jonn,

I have been top roping and bouldering for about 10 months now. I began indoor climbing and have a little bit of experience with outdoor climbing in southern B.C. Canada, but most of my experience has been with indoor climbing walls. My certifications are only for top-roping and only on specific walls, so nothing formal. I have been climbing (top-roping) at the YMCA wall. Last summer I was top-roping 3-4 days a week, but am down to one.

The reason I would like to get certified to lead climb is because it opens up more opportunities to climb. I have also hit a bit of a plateau top-roping. So yes, I would like to be certified to climb locally.

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Dear Jessica,

If you've been climbing at the YMCA, that means you have done the YMCA assessment ($100, knots, belaying with a Gri-Gri, and doing the 2 meter fall). The thing is, that cert is recognized only at the YMCA, and not at government walls.

What you need is to do is get certified to Level 1, with a certificate issued by the HKSCU, the national climbing body. This will be for top rope climbing.

Continue to climb with me and my group - based on your progress and skill level, I'll prep you for the Level 2 (for lead climbing), a rather intense 24 hour course.

If you have friends with similar backgrounds, do enroll them along with you. Once u get your Level 2 certificate, you may then pair up with another Level 2er to book a lane at any government wall in Hong Kong. At outdoor walls like Shek Kip Mei & Shun Li Tsuen, both of you may book and climb for free. At indoor walls like Lei Yue Mun, East Kai Tak and Tai Kok Tsui, you'll need to pay around $47 per hour to climb. At all gov't walls, you MUST have a pair of Level 2 certified climbers to book a lane. The Level 1 cert is required in order to move on to Level 2.

One other thing to note is that local certifications are good for, and recognized only in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, there is no regional / international mutual recognition for climbing certifications (like driver's licenses).

The Project X Team:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27268073666

Best,
Jonn