Three cadets from Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing have become the first cadets to complete the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme Level Two certificate.

The level two certificate recognises them as competent independent climbers both in bouldering and artificial climbing walls.

For the assessment the cadets had to demonstrate the following competences :-

• Connect rope to harness with retied figure 8 and stopper knot consistently
• Consistently performs pre-climb checks
• Belays consistently correctly
• Can safely hold a simple top rope fall
• Lowers a climber consistently correctly
• Communicates well with climber
• Understanding of French sport grades and selection of appropriate routes
• Safe and effective use of a bouldering/ traversing wall
• Complete 25 set climbs of any grade
• Complete 25 belays

Two cadets were from 297 (North Berwick) Detached Flight, Corporal Hitchen and Cdt Crowe and one cadet from 870 (Dreghorn) Squadron, Cdt G Lynch. The Training and assessment was conducted at Edinburgh International Climbing arena over three evenings with the training being provided by Sqn Ldr Barry Mcadam, Wing Adventure Training Officer.