Route Setting Development

Route Setting Development (RSD) is the route setting division of the Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC).

RSD provides aspiring and established setters with recognised qualifications and workshops in order to improve setting safety, productivity and creativity, and to support the growth of the workforce.

 

Join today for access to RSD qualifications, industry newsletters, a public route setter profile, and more.

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RSD Membership

 

RSD membership costs £28(+VAT) per year and is available to anyone with an interest in setting, regardless of their level of experience.

Becoming an RSD member places you at the epicentre of all things related to the setting industry. The benefits of RSD membership are:

  • Access to a growing professional network
  • Up to date setting industry news, safety updates and job opportunities
  • Exclusive access to training courses
  • Advanced access to workshops
  • Quarterly webinars
  • Promotion on the ‘Find a setter’ page
  • 10% off tickets for ABC conference

Join here (if you are already logged into the ABC site you may need to log out first)

RSD Pathway and course breakdown:

 

1. Setting Basics

  • Format: Online or in-person
  • Audience: General wall staff, reception staff, new setters, and strippers
  • Prerequisites: Must be 16 years or older (parental consent required if under 18)
  • Duration: 1 day (in-person) or ½ day (online)
  • Course Scope: Supervised boulder setting/stripping and unsupervised tightening of spinners
  • Re-Validation: Reassess every 3 years if no further qualifications are obtained.

Availability: Available in person when advertised and online as Impact Setting Route Setting Essentials course.

Important: This course is compulsory for all RSD courses, unless you qualify for exemption.

 

2. Setting in Practice

  • Format: In-person training and assessment
  • Audience: Novice setters and strippers
  • Prerequisites: Setting Basics course, and regular climbing (at least once a week for 6 months)
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Remit: Independent setting/stripping of bouldering at any centre
  • Re-Validation: Resit the course every 3 years, if no higher qualifications

Important: This course is compulsory for all RSD courses, unless you qualify for exemption.

 

3. Commercial Roped Setter Training

  • Format: In-person training
  • Audience: Setters with prior experience
  • Prerequisites: Setting Basics and Setting in Practice
  • Duration: 2 days
  • Remit: Supervised roped setting at different centres and angles, based on supervisor discretion
  • Re-Validation: No re-validation required, provided the assessment is completed

4. Commercial Roped Setter Assessment

  • Format: In-person assessment
  • Audience: Experienced setters
  • Prerequisites: Setting Basics, Setting in Practice, Commercial Roped Setter Training, and a minimum of 15 routes set and stripped
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Remit: Unsupervised roped setting across various centres and wall angles
  • Re-Validation: Reassess every 3 years

FAST TRACK EXEMPTION PATHWAY available for 2025 only

Direct Entry to Commercial Roped Training:

Candidates seeking exemption from Setting Basics and Setting in Practice must demonstrate that they meet the following entry requirements:

  • A minimum of six months regular boulder setting experience.
  • Submission of a professional reference for their route setting experience; who can verify applicant’s:
    • Ability to safely and effectively cordon off an area.
    • Comprehensive knowledge of Working at Height (WAH) regulations and best practices.
    • Competency in manual handling techniques.
    • Proficient use of impact driver and applying holds to the wall.

Direct Entry to Commercial Roped Assessment

Candidates seeking exemption from Commercial Roped Training must meet the following criteria:

  • A minimum of three years’ experience in route setting, including on a rope, averaging at least three days per week.
  • Submission of two professional references for their route setting experience; who can verify applicant’s ability to:
    • Fulfilling of all exemption requirements for direct entry to Commercial Roped Training.
  • If a candidate does not pass the assessment, they must complete the Commercial Roped Training before being eligible to retake the assessment.

RSD courses under development

Commercial Boulder Setter

  • Format: In-person training and assessment
  • Audience: Setters with some experience
  • Prerequisites: Setting Basics, Setting in Practice, and a minimum of 20 quality boulder-setting days
  • Duration: 2 days
  • Remit: Use of rope systems for volume setting; suitable for those applying for head setter roles
  • Re-Validation: Resit course every 3 years

Launch Date: This course is currently in the process of being developed and the RSD will update when the course is available.

If you would like any further information on anything related to setting please contact our Route Setting Development Coordinator, Naomi Hatto, [email protected]