Your Path to Professional Certification
Recognizing that knowledge and skills acquired from a variety of sources should be encouraged and rewarded.
There is no shortage of certification schemes for canyon guides offered by various organizations around the world. Some are quite good, but most expect an aspiring guide to complete a series of courses only with that organization.
There is nothing wrong with that, except that the best guides typically acquire their knowledge and skills from a variety of sources, both formal and informal.
Canyon Guides International (CGI) provides a path to an international certification that is based on validating four things:
- Documenting Experience
- Testing Knowledge
- Assessing Technical Skills
- Verifying leadership Skills
Beneffits
For Professional Canyon Guides
Our assessment program provides you with an opportunity to consolidate all of your informal learning, formal training, experience and existing credentials to receive an internationally-recognized certification. Certification indicates to prospective clients and students that your technical knowledge and competence have been assessed to the standard of a professional organization.
For Clients Seeking a Guide or Instructor
CGI certified professionals have undergone rigorous assessment to insure their knowledge and skills meet and exceed international standards. For you as a consumer, CGI certification provides a decisive tool for choosing the right person for your needs and objectives.
Certification Levels
Level 1 Guide
Aspirant Canyon Guide certification (Level 1) is ideal for an entry-level guide working as an apprentice or assistant guide before pursuing higher levels of certification.
Level 2 Guide
Fixed Site / Single Pitch Canyon Guide certification (Level 2) is available to individuals who guide a limited number of beginner to intermediate level canyons.
Level 3 Guide
Pro Canyon Guide certificiation (Level 3) is for guides who can demonstrate a high level of technical competence in beginner through advanced canyons.
Level 4 Guide
Master Canyon Guide certification (Level 4) is for those who have attained a level of technical proficiency that represents the pinnacle of guiding excellence.
Teaching canyoneering skills to others involves more than technical competence. Effective instructors must be good communicators who use an array of teaching strategies to accommodate students’ learning styles. Instructor Development Courses for Instructor/Evaluator certification are available as an add-on for CGI certified guides, Level 2 and higher.
From our Blog
The science behind teaching & learning: Tying Knots
During the few years that I have spent as a canyoneering instructor, I have been able to gather some observations regarding teaching how to tie knots:
MadRock Safeguard: Useful for Pro Guiding?
Oher rope related activities like caving, climbing, rope access, have been using self-locking & assisted-braking devices for a while. Devices like the Petzl line up
Canyoneering Competency Checklist
Canyon Guides International announces the release of its new Canyoneering Competencies Checklist – a major step forward from current skills lists. This multi-purpose document incorporates:
Congratulations Matthew Arnold – Level 2 Certification
Matthew is working professionally guiding canyons in British Columbia Canada. Under the mentorship of Guillaume Coupier (CGI Level 3 Pro Guide), Matthew is helping to
Newest Level 2 Pro Canyon Guide: Timothy Reynolds
Timothy is a canyoneering guide based in Tucson, AZ USA. From Tim’s CGI profile: “Tim Reynolds started his fascination with the vertical world and canyoneering
Canada’s best canyoning sites
Always enjoy seeing CGI guides in the news. Check out this article featuring West Coast Canyoning Adventures in British Columbia, Canada. Navigating Canada’s best canyoning