WCSx manchester
WORKSHOPS
We have five fantastic workshops to choose from at WCSx.
Delivered by top-level coaches, these workshops are aimed at helping new and intermediate climbers grow and raise their roped skills in a supportive, fun and safe environment.
Click on the links below for information about each of the workshops or scroll down the page to read about them all.
Learn to Lead Indoors Katherine Schirrmacher | Climbing Coach
Sport Climbing Skills Ella Main | Climbing Coach
Trad Climbing Skills Leading Edge | Mountaineering Instructors
Catching and Taking Lead Falls Esther Foster | Climbing Coach
Belaying for All Lucy Keyworth | Climbing Coach and GB Paraclimber
LEARN TO LEAD INDOORS
katherine schirrmacher (SHE/HER)
Do you top rope climb indoors, but would like to learn to lead?
Or have you done it a long time ago but feel really rusty at leading and lead belaying?
This workshop will look at all things indoor lead climbing, and develop your skills to be really safe and confident for both leading and lead belaying.
Experience needed: You must be able to tie in and top rope belay already to attend this workshop. You'll need to be climbing fairly regularly, and comfortably top rope climbing grade 5s and above before you're ready to lead climb.
Equipment needed: Harness, rock shoes, belay device
Katherine Schirrmacher's years of experience in both personal climbing and climbing coaching and instruction have compounded her vast knowledge of technique, tactics and training. A former member of the British Bouldering Team and a former GB Climbing Team coach, Katherine is one of the top climbing coaches in the country; able to guide people from beginner through to improver and beyond. Her personal climbing has also seen her onsight Trad E5 and Sport 7c, and redpoint Trad E7, Sport 8a and Bouldering 7c. Beginners and advanced climbers alike will reap the benefits of Katherine's coaching expertise and inherent belief that we should all climb from a place of kindness and joy. lovetoclimb.co.uk
SPORT CLIMBING SKILLS
ella main (SHE/HER)
Planning your first sport climbing holiday abroad?!
Do you lead indoors but want to get stuck into outdoor sport climbing?
This workshop will look at some key skills for sport climbing safely, and getting the most out of your time outdoors. We'll cover rethreading sport anchors at the top of a route, using a clipstick, avoiding common accidents, and tips for using assisted braking devices. This workshop will include a mix of floor based skills, and climbing/belaying.
Experience needed: You will need to be able to lead climb indoors and lead belay already to get the most out of this workshop
Equipment needed: Harness, belay device, rock shoes. (Optional: lead rope, belay glasses, clipstick, quickdraws)
Ella has been climbing for 20 years and coaching for 10 years. She has coached a variety of people from international para climbers to people learning to beginner trad climbers including volunteer work at the Women's Trad Fest.
Ella is also a regular indoor route setter and is known for being adaptable, bubbly and outgoing, helping many people widen their comfort zones and elevate their climbing skills. Outside of climbing Ella enjoys outdoor swimming, knitting and pottery.
IG: @ella_climbing99
TRAD CLIMBING SKILLS
LEADING EDGE (SHE/HER)
Get stuck into rope shenanigans with the fantastic Leading Edge instructors!
We'll look at building belays, understanding how trad equipment works, belaying a second climber, and top tips for starting out. This workshop will be mainly floor based and is perfect for anyone new to trad climbing, or who is really rusty and wants to get their head round some of the key safety systems and skills for trad.
Experience needed: You will need to know how to tie in and belay, but it doesn't matter if you haven't lead climbed before.
Equipment needed: Harness, belay device
For Sam Leary and Cath Wilson of Leading Edge mountaineering and rock climbing, being in the mountains is all about having a great time, in a wonderful place and sharing that with others. A firm crowd favourite at previous WCS events, Sam and Cath bring a wealth of personal and professional experience which allows them to generate an inclusive and supportive atmosphere. They are known for their ability tro run open, friendly and fun courses packed full of learning, delivered expertly and at the right level and pace for attendees.
esther foster (SHE/HER)
Catching and taking lead falls
This workshop is all about building up your skills and confidence in catching and taking lead falls.
We'll look at fall practice in a really progressive, low stress, and confidence building way, and learn how to fall as safely as possible. We'll also look at catching lead falls, and develop your technique and confidence so that you can be the best belayer for your climbing partners.
Experience needed: You must already be lead climbing and lead belaying competently to attend this workshop.
Equipment needed: Harness, belay device, rock shoes. (Optional: rope, assisted braking device)
One of the Women's Climbing Symposium Directors, Esther Foster has spent 20 years rock climbing and mountaineering throughout the UK and internationally. With a career coaching, guiding and instructing in both climbing and mountaineering, Esther is one of few women MCI's (Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor) within the UK and a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). Having seen the value of climbing and mountaineering as therapy, as skill mastery, and as simultaneously an empowering and humbling experience, Esther is passionate about removing barriers and promoting inclusivity so that climbing, and the climbing community, is accessible to all. Want to know more about Esther? We interviewed her here so check it out! Read here.
lucy keyworth (SHE/HER)
belaying for all
Para-athlete Lucy Keyworth will deliver a session on all things top rope belaying for people that identify as disabled and/or neurodiverse.
As well as refreshing the basics, you'll learn lots of adaptations for different needs, get time to practise with different belay devices, and work out what is best and safest for you if you have an impairment. We'll also look at using sandbags, seated belaying, and catching top rope falls.
This workshop is suitable for anyone who can climb without using a hoist/pulley, disabled or neurodiverse people wanting to learn or improve their top rope belaying. or anyone who would appreciate time spent adapting skills that might not get covered in usual 'learn to belay' courses.
Experience needed: No experience is needed, though some climbing experience would be beneficial.
Equipment needed: Harness, belay device, rock shoes (these can also be hired from the climbing wall)
Lucy is a British paraclimber and four times national champion representing the GB Paraclimbing Team. Since discovering climbing, Lucy has found strength, freedom, and community on the wall — and now works to make the sport more accessible for everyone. Driven by a love of challenge and connection, Lucy combines elite competition with advocacy and outreach. She’s passionate about showing that climbing is for every body, helping to break down barriers and inspire new generations of adaptive athletes. When she’s not training or competing, Lucy can be found exploring new crags, sharing her story, and fundraising to support her journey on the international stage.
IG: @lucykeyworth