NICAS — The Climbing Programme for Young People
NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme) is a certified, nationally recognised climbing development programme for young climbers aged 8–17. Dublin Climbing Centre is an approved NICAS delivery centre in Dublin.
The programme takes young climbers from complete beginner through to advanced lead climber across five progressive levels — building movement skills, rope technique, confidence, and a love of the sport.
Ages
8–17
Levels
5 Levels
Format
Weekly Sessions
First Lesson
€22
What Is NICAS?
Dublin Climbing Centre offers the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS®), a certified programme providing a structured introduction to climbing and a gateway to learning more about the sport.
The key aim of NICAS is to provide a safe introduction to climbing for young people aged 8 to 17 on artificial climbing structures. Those who progress through to the higher levels also start to look wider — learning about the history, ethics and styles of both indoor and outdoor climbing.
NICAS has five progressive levels of award, from complete novice to expert climber. The scheme is split into two parts: Part One contains Levels 1 to 3, and Part Two contains Levels 4 and 5. The full scheme takes a minimum of 80 hours to complete Levels 1 to 4, with an additional year required to complete Level 5.
When you register, your child receives a logbook for Levels 1–3. A certificate is awarded as each level is passed.
What NICAS Develops
Agility, balance, coordination and improved technique across all levels.
How to tie knots, belay safely, and use gear appropriately and responsibly.
Working with and trusting a climbing partner, skills that transfer beyond the wall.
Developing a personal sense of responsibility and safe decision-making in sport.
Certified levels and logbooks that document real, progressive accomplishment.
The Five NICAS Levels
Every climber progresses at their own pace. There are no maximums — children can take as many sessions as they need at each level. These are the minimum hour guidelines, not targets.
Level 1 — New Climber
An entry-level award for novices, recognising their ability to climb safely under supervision. Suitable for anyone who has climbed before. Minimum 4 hours across at least two sessions.
Most classes run over 6–8 weeks
Level 2 — Foundation Climber
Promotes good practice in climbing and bouldering unsupervised on an artificial wall. Minimum 12 hours — usually at least 12 weeks of lessons.
Independence begins here
Level 3 — Technical Climber
A more advanced top-roping and bouldering award focused on developing technique and movement skills. Ensures the candidate can climb and belay safely at any facility. Broadly equivalent to a GCSE pass. Minimum 16 hours with a coach, plus 12 hours of supervised climbing.
Transferable to any climbing wall
Level 4 — Lead Climber
Focuses on the skills required to lead climb proficiently. Develops a self-motivated climber with a wide range of skills who sets personal goals and progresses independently. Minimum 20 hours with a coach, plus 16 hours of supervised climbing. Due to the higher risks of lead climbing, a careful and steady approach is taken at this stage.
Minimum age requirements may apply at different climbing centres
Level 5 — Advanced Climber
The top-level award. Focuses on improving performance, a deeper understanding of climbing systems, and the wider world of climbing. Includes experience of local and national competitions. Requires one year of regular climbing at this level. At this stage, climbers may visit other centres and enter competitions — so be prepared to be called upon as a taxi service!
Competition-ready climbers
The higher levels of NICAS require candidates to visit other centres and enter competitions. Hours shown are stand-alone per level — for example Level 2 NICAS is an additional 12 hours once they have graduated from Level 1.
How to Start NICAS
NICAS lessons are designed for climbers aged 8 and above who have climbed before. Getting started is simple: two steps online, then show up and climb.
Fill in your child’s registration details via our online registration form. This must be completed before the first class.
Book and pay for the first lesson (€22) via our booking page. Both registration and payment must be completed.
We’ll send a confirmation email with everything you need to know ahead of the first class.
Come along, climb, and see how your child gets on. After the first class, you decide whether to continue. If continuing, the balance (€130) is due before the second lesson.
Level 1 Cost
Level 1 runs in 6-week blocks with each of the 6 classes lasting 2 hours. Some children may take more than 6 classes to complete it. Try the first class before committing to the full block.
Balance of €130 is due before the start of the second lesson. Harness included in class fee. Climbing shoes not required for Level 1.
Teens aged 14+ who have passed Level 2 can use the centre independently with written parental/guardian consent, subject to a skills assessment. Experienced U18s may also be invited to join our weekly Youth Squad coaching sessions.
Equipment, Progression & FAQs
Everything parents ask before starting NICAS — answered in full below.
What equipment does my child need?
To start with — nothing. A harness is included in the class fee. Climbing shoes can be hired from Dublin Climbing Centre but are not required for Level 1.
Over time, your child may want to invest in their own gear — rock climbing shoes, a chalk bag, and a harness for NICAS. All can be purchased, ordered in, or hired at Dublin Climbing Centre. Always ask our staff for advice before buying; we’ll point you in the right direction.
For clothing: comfortable sports clothing such as tracksuit trousers or shorts and a t-shirt is ideal. It should allow free movement but not be so baggy it could snag. Jewellery must be removed and long hair tied back before climbing. Short fingernails are also advised.
How long does each level take to complete?
There are no maximums — every child can take as many sessions as they need at each level. Climbing is a very individual but lifelong skill, and every child progresses at their own pace.
To use a comparison: just as a child learning to swim must demonstrate they can swim a set distance before earning their badge, NICAS coaches will not award a pass until the relevant skills are clearly demonstrated. This is a good thing.
- Level 1: The NICAS minimum is 4 hours. Many classes run over 6–8 weeks. At Dublin Climbing Centre we run 6 classes of 2 hours each (12 hours total).
- Level 2: Minimum 12 hours — usually at least 12 weeks of lessons.
- Level 3: Minimum 16 hours with a coach, plus 12 hours of climbing under light-touch supervision.
- Level 4: Minimum 20 hours with a coach, plus 16 hours of climbing under light-touch supervision.
- Level 5: One year of regular climbing at this level.
Hours are stand-alone per level. Our experience shows most children take around half as long again as the minimums suggest — and that’s completely fine. The best climbers in the world say they’re always learning.
Why does progression take time?
Climbing targets holistic skills: initially agility, balance and coordination (physical literacy) — as well as a sense of responsibility, risk assessment, and teamwork. It takes time to develop and hone these skills alongside the technical knowledge of knots, holds, flexibility, strength and stamina.
Completing many shorter sessions on a frequent basis often has a better learning outcome than fewer, longer sessions. We want children to fall in love with climbing and make it a regular habit, meaning real development can take years.
Level 1 is reasonably straightforward. A child who has climbed before, with the right attitude and aptitude, usually passes after 6 sessions, though this may vary.
Can my child climb independently after NICAS?
Yes. If your child has passed Level 2 of NICAS and is aged 14 or over, they may be permitted to use the centre as an independent climber. Please speak with our staff to confirm whether your child qualifies and to complete the necessary documentation, including written parental/guardian consent.
For Level 4 and above, please note that due to the higher risks of lead climbing, centres take a careful and steady approach. Some centres also apply a minimum age requirement — typically 14 — for risk assessment purposes.
Is NICAS competitively priced?
Climbing is competitively priced compared with many other sports, particularly at the junior level. To begin, no special equipment needs to be purchased at all — the harness is included in the class fee, and climbing shoes can be hired or are optional for Level 1.
Over time, your child may choose to invest in their own shoes and gear, but this is entirely at their own pace and there’s no pressure to buy kit before your child is committed to the sport.
Ready to Start?
Register and book the first NICAS Level 1 lesson online. Both steps need to be completed before your child’s first session. We’re based in Tallaght in South Dublin and deliver NICAS climbing courses to young climbers across Dublin and Leinster.