RSD – Commercial Roped Setter – 2-day Training

Route Setting Development (RSD) is the route setting division of the Association of British Climbing Walls, which aims to provide aspiring & established route setters with recognised qualifications & workshops to improve setting safety, productivity & creativity.
This 2-day course is for designated route setters and experienced climbers who want to develop and refine best practice while route setting on roped walls and bouldering walls.  This qualification allows holders to route set bottom rope, auto-belay and lead climbing routes.
To take part in an RSD Commercial Roped Setter training course you need to have:
  • Completed RSD Setting Basics, you can do this here, and RSD Setting in Practice or obtained exemption for experienced setters
  • The ability to climb F6b
  • The ability to competently lead climb and safely belay a lead climber
This course covers attachment of holds and the creative process of route design with a particular focus on route setting rescues, rope-work and applicable regulations to ensure you can use safe working practices.
This course includes the use of all necessary equipment for setting and working at height.
After completing this course candidates now need to complete a separate one day assessment. Upon successfully completing the assessment the candidate will be issued with the RSD Commercial Roped Setter certificate. This certificate is valid for three years.
Please note that in order to book onto this training course, RSD membership is required and can be obtained here
For ABC member walls there is the option of 50% funding for this course – in order to claim that funding please fill in this form and tick the relevant boxes on your booking form
Cost: £290
For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Commercial Roped Setter – Assessment

This one-day course is the assessment element of the Commercial Roped Setter qualification. It is also appropriate as a revalidation course for current RSD Roped Setter (RSA Level 2) qualification holders.

Attendees must conform with one of the following criteria to attend:

  • have completed a Commercial Roped Setter training course;
  • have applied for exemption from the training course;
  • be a current RSD Roped Setter (or older version RSA level 2) holder and be attending the day as a three-year (or earlier) revalidation.

All candidates must also have set a minimum of 15 routes on ropes prior to the assessment.

Full details are available through the RSD website or from your assessor.

Please note that in order to book onto this RSD assessment, membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: £175

To book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Setting in Practice – (Funded for ABC member walls)

This is a one-day in-person training and assessment day for novice setters and strippers in bouldering, roped or mixed wall environments.

To take part in an RSD Setting in Practice course you need to have:

Completed RSD Setting Basics, you can do this here, or obtained exemption for experienced setters

Upon successfully completing the assessment the candidate will be issued with the RSD Setting in Practice certificate. This certificate is valid for three years.

Please note that in order to book onto this training course, RSD membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: Funded for ABC member walls – please note the cancellation of a confirmed place with less than 7 days’ notice will incur a no-show fee of £150 payable to the ABC.

To Book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Setting in Practice

This is a one-day in-person training and assessment day for novice setters and strippers in bouldering, roped or mixed wall environments.

To take part in an RSD Setting in Practice course you need to have:

Completed RSD Setting Basics, you can do this here, or obtained exemption for experienced setters

Upon successfully completing the assessment the candidate will be issued with the RSD Setting in Practice certificate. This certificate is valid for three years.

Please note that in order to book onto this training course, RSD membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: £140

To Book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Commercial Roped Setter Day 1

Introduction to rope routesetting

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to begin routesetting safely and effectively using rope access techniques within a commercial climbing wall environment.

This course forms Day 1 of the two-day RSD Commercial Roped Setter programme and is aimed at individuals wanting to learn how to set routes from a rope with little or no previous experience, as well as experienced routesetters looking to develop their rope routesetting skills.

The course combines theory and practical sessions, introducing participants to the equipment, systems, and setting principles used by professional routesetters.

The course covers:

  • Practical routesetting exercises
  • Climbing wall-specific work at height considerations
  • Rope routesetting equipment and its use
  • Hauling systems
  • Setting for different grades and target audiences
  • Route stripping and hold management
  • Working efficiently as part of a routesetting team
  • Industry best practice
  • Problem solving and decision making while setting

By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of the equipment, techniques, and working practices required to begin commercial rope routesetting safely and effectively.

Please note that in order to book onto this RSD course, membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: £175

To book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Commercial Roped Setter Day 2

Developing rescue competence for real-world routesetting situations

Practical rescue skills for rope routesetters working at height.

This course is designed for established routesetters looking to develop their rescue competence, climbing wall staff who require a stronger understanding of rescue procedures, incident response, and assisting rope workers in line with site requirements, or participants who have completed the Rope Routesetter Foundations course and wish to progress their technical skills further.  A hands-on day focused on developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond confidently when situations don’t go as planned. Participants will work through realistic routesetting scenarios, learning how to assess incidents, select appropriate techniques, and safely resolve problems while working at height.The day includes:

  • Routesetting-specific rescue scenarios
  • Equipment selection and safe use
  • Rescue planning and decision-making
  • Managing a colleague in difficulty
  • Assisted descent techniques
  • Hauls and mechanical advantage systems
  • Communication and teamwork during rescues
  • Practical problem solving under pressure

Please note that in order to book onto this RSD course, membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: £175

To book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Commercial Roped Setter – Assessment

This one-day course is the assessment element of the Commercial Roped Setter qualification. It is also appropriate as a revalidation course for current RSD Roped Setter (RSA Level 2) qualification holders.

Attendees must conform with one of the following criteria to attend:

  • Completed the Routesetter Rescue & Technical Skills day; and be an experienced setter proficient with rope setting equipment or
  • Participated in both the Roped Routesetter Foundations and Routesetter Rescue & Technical Skills courses.
  • Completed the exemption pathway

Please note that in order to book onto this RSD assessment, membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: £175

To book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]

RSD – Commercial Roped Setter – Assessment

This one-day course is the assessment element of the Commercial Roped Setter qualification. It is also appropriate as a revalidation course for current RSD Roped Setter (RSA Level 2) qualification holders.

Attendees must conform with one of the following criteria to attend:

  • Completed the Routesetter Rescue & Technical Skills day; and be an experienced setter proficient with rope setting equipment or
  • Participated in both the Roped Routesetter Foundations and Routesetter Rescue & Technical Skills courses.
  • Completed the exemption pathway

Please note that in order to book onto this RSD assessment, membership is required and can be obtained here

Cost: £175

To book: https://forms.gle/jHaggH2nRCFD8VTS8

For more information contact: [email protected]