Learn to Lead Sport

As low as:

$245.00 / person

(at 4:1 ratio) Next Trip: Jun 28, 2025 (day trip)
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    Upcoming Trips

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  • Jun 28, 2025 (day trip)
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    2 spots available. $245.00

    Course Location: Comox Lake Crags

Add-ons

IAG Cancellation Coverage $12.00

As per our Cancellation Policy, your trip or course is 100% non-refundable after 30 days prior to the trip/course start date. Purchasing this addon will allow you to cancel your trip/course within that 30 day time period for reasons of injury, illness or family emergency, and will provide you with a credit for the full value of your trip/course fee which can be be used on any Island Alpine Guides or Hike Vancouver Island trip or course or trip for up to one year from the start date of the trip/course originally booked. This credit is non-transferable to another person.

Comox Valley Climbs Guidebook - 2024 Edition $25.00

Newly Released 2024 Edition! Covering over 300 climbs in the Comox Valley area, including local winter ice and illustrated with lots of coloured photos.

About


This one-day course is an excellent entry-point into the world of sport leading. Under the eye of a qualified instructor, you'll learn the fundamentals to lead safely and efficiently on rock using bolts for protection. Instructors will focus on technical systems and considerations and provide detailed feedback along the way. All techniques learned meet an internationally accepted standard, providing a solid and necessary foundation as you progress in your climbing. 

For those interested in learning both sport and trad, please check out our two-day Learn to Lead Trad course.

Curriculum

  • Anchor building
  • Rope and station management
  • Various station belay methods
  • Safe and efficient lead belaying & climbing
  • Switching over from climbing to rappelling
  • And more if time allows

Included in the price

  • 1 day of instruction with an ACMG guide
  • Group technical gear
  • Personal technical gear (harness, helmet, carabiners, belay devices, climbing shoes)

Not included in the price

  • Transportation to and from meeting point
  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Clothing
  • Personal equipment

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Location


  • Comox Lake Crags (Cumberland)
 
Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Itinerary


A typical day starts at 09:00 and ends around 17:00. 

Curriculum delivery will depend on the students, the instructor and other factors such as weather and conditions, but below is a general idea of what to expect:

Day 1 

09:00 – Meet at the location specified in your pre-trip email. The instructor will facilitate introductions and hand out any rental items that were purchased as add-ons. You will then sign waivers (please note that anyone under 18 needs to have their waiver signed by a parent or guardian and sent in prior to the course).

The crags are usually a short hike from the parking lot. You will set up here for the day, progressing through the curriculum at a pace that works for your group. At the end of the day we’ll debrief and return any rental equipment, aiming to finish before 17:00.

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to your course.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 
Requirements

This is an intermediate-level course. Prior to registering, participants should have completed an Intro to Rock course (or have equivalent experience with building anchors and belaying)

Pre-course homework:

Please ensure you are comfortable with the following basic knots: 

  • Figure 8 follow-through 
  • Figure 8 on a bight 
  • Overhand 
  • Double overhand 
  • Double fisherman’s 
  • Clove hitch 
  • Prussik 
  • Munter hitch 

We recommend checking out the “Animated Knots” website for instructions. 

Questions about the suitability of this course? Send us an email. We’re happy to help you find or customize courses to suit your needs. 

Gear List 


Your instructor will provide all group gear (or “the rack” -- ropes, slings, carabiners, etc.). Please bring the following, and reach out if you have any questions:
 
Technical Gear

  • Harness 
  • Helmet 
  • Belay device & locking carabiner 
  • Climbing shoes 

If you require any of the items on the technical gear list, please email us to request it (along with any sizing requirements such as shoe size). 

Clothing

  • T-shirt or long-sleeve (ideally loose-fitting)
  • Pants (ideally loose-fitting, tapered at the ankle) 
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants) 
  • Mid-weight insulating jacket 
  • Approach shoes (something that will provide some support on trails to the climb)
  • Toque and/or sun hat 

Other

  • Sunglasses that block 100% UV 
  • Sunscreen 
  • SPF lip balm 
  • Lunch (pre-prepared) and snacks 
  • Water bottle 
  • Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended) 
  • 30L backpack 

If you own any additional equipment, you are encouraged to bring it along so that you can learn more about the gear you already own.

Questions? Send us an email or read our blog for advice on choosing appropriate gear. 

Testimonials

Both Nicole and I really enjoyed the course immensely. Thanks for the great attitude and your incredible amount of knowledge. You really know how to teach well and are a pleasure to climb with. Paul Barrette, Vancouver, BC.
Couldn't have had a better instructor for us. Lyle was very knowledgeable, encouraging and calming. He tailored the course for us and what we needed to know. We got everything we wanted out of it. It was great! Paula Frigon, Edmonton, AB.
Amazing. Very safety focused. Learned everything we needed to in a supportive environment. Will be participating in more courses in the future. Kathryn and Shawn,