Rock climbing instructor

Why is it a good profession to get into?

I've been working as a climbing instructor for more than three years. I teach climbing to complete beginners, coach more advanced skills, people with height phobias, adult and children's classes. I regularly take groups outdoors and have classes at indoor walls. I used to be a teacher which has helped me understand people's motivation and how people learn.

Climbing is the fastest growing extreme sport in the UK and my classes are always full. The amazing thing about the sport is that it gives people confidence in themselves: not only on the rock, but in their lives too. People often say how you climb is a reflection of how you approach life. To challenge some of the fears of falling, of heights, of not taking risks within the sport, can make profound changes in people's lives.

What does the work involve?

Last night I took a group and coached them in some technical aspects of climbing where I move their hands, feet and bodies to the correct positions. We had a fantastic atmosphere going with everyone clapping and encouraging each other. This afternoon I will be giving a lesson to a father and his daughter where we'll play some fun climbing games like blindfold climbing. The work is really varied.

To be able to work as an instructor indoors and outside, I had to achieve the Single Pitch Award (SPA). I have also got the Climbing Wall Award, an Outdoor First Aid certificate and have just completed an advanced technical climbing award in London.

I'm self-employed and have set up my own business, Fun Climbing. It's been more work than I thought it would be, but it's very satisfying to be in total control of what you are doing and ensure that everything you deliver is of a high quality.

What are the positives/negatives of this profession?

I get a lot out of giving people confidence in themselves. People arrive at class with low expectations of what they're going to be able to do and then they leave with a massive sense of achievement and realisation that they can much more than they thought they were going to be able to.

My best moment has been a client who initially could only manage to get 4ft off the ground. She was petrified of heights and, I thought she would never give it another go. But she battled through her anxieties and got to the top of the wall – the look of pure joy on her face was a picture, I nearly cried.

It is an extreme sport where the consequences of doing something wrong can be fatal. As an instructor, you can never relax and need to be on a high state of alert at all times – which can be exhausting. The first few lessons are crucial in instilling the technical skills and safety awareness.

Is there much local demand for people trained in this area?

The market for instructors is very competitive. Most of my business comes through word of mouth and I have to continually be on the look-out for opportunities and self-promote. There are only a few rock climbing venues in the region so opportunities to instruct indoors are limited.

What would employers look for in someone applying for a vacancy?

I'd say the most important qualities needed for an instructor are understanding and respecting safety, having a passion for the sport and being a good climber, being encouraging and, most importantly, making sure people have fun.