Performance Climbing Coaching
Apr - Oct
£250
Flexible
Our Climbing Coaching Course is designed for climbers seeking to push their leading level. With expert coaching, you’ll receive supportive feedback and develop strategies to climb harder and smarter.
ADVANCED LEVEL COURSE
For climbers who already lead trad or sport routes and want to push their grade with expert instruction and performance analysis.
Personalised climbing coaching designed around your goals and experience. We’ll focus on the techniques, tactics and skills you need to improve your performance on rock.
TAILORED COURSE
PUSH YOUR GRADE
The aim of this course is to climb harder and smarter. Gain the skills, mindset and strategies needed to break through plateaus and reach your next climbing grade.
-
Our Performance Climbing Coaching Course is designed for climbers who want to take their skills to the next level. With one-to-one instruction and live feedback, you’ll refine movement, improve your technical skills, and develop strategies for climbing harder routes.
You’ll be coached by an experienced Lake District mountain guide, working alongside you, analysing your technique, building confidence, and helping to unlock your full potential.
Whether you’re plateauing on a certain grade or aiming for a big lead project, this course will give you the tools and confidence to make real progress.
-
There’s no fixed itinerary for this course, each day is bespoke, built entirely around your experience and goals. Your guide will observe your climbing - usually next to you on a static rope - identify areas to improve, coach you through techniques and give you tactics to overcome any weaknesses.
Expect a full day out, combining some great climbing with detailed feedback and tips to help you improve your climbing.
-
Techniques to improve lead climbing performance
Movement skills and identify limiting factors
Efficient climbing strategies for sustained and technical routes
Route reading, resting strategies, and managing pump
Practical performance planning for long-term progression
Mental and physical tactics for pushing your grade
How to train for climbing
-
The course will take place in the Lake District, with the exact location chosen to suit your goals and the best conditions on the day. We’ll use crags and terrain that give the best opportunity to focus on your development and build your skills.
The cost is £250 per day for 1:1 instruction or £300 per day for 1:2.
-
This course is perfect for climbers who already lead trad or sport routes and want to climb harder or more efficiently.
You should be comfortable leading and belaying, with a solid base of outdoor experience.If you’re unsure whether this course is for you, get in touch. We’ll help you find the best course or build a custom climbing instruction day to suit your goals.
-
Exceptional instruction and coaching
Local transport to and from your accommodation in Kendal
Ropes and technical equipment
Helmet and harness
Course photos
Contact before and after the course with our guides for any technical questions/advice
What’s not included?
Climbing shoes
Personal clothing
Food and drink
-
Arrive ready to climb! A few recent outdoor sessions or indoor leading practice will help you get the most out of your day.
Try to reflect on what limits you before arriving, maybe it’s the mental side? Or your endurance? Let us know and we’ll build your coaching session around that.
Push your grade in the Lake District
DATES AND AVAILABILITY
Get in touch to express an interest, availability year round.
-
We provide all the essential climbing equipment, including harnesses, helmets, ropes, and technical gear. The only thing you’ll need to bring are your own climbing shoes or boots, along with suitable clothing, food, and drink.
We’re usually out in the mountains for around eight hours each day, so make sure to pack a good lunch, some snacks, and at least a litre of water.
If you’d like advice on what clothing to bring, feel free to get in touch or check out our kit lists.
-
We can usually run our courses even in wet or windy conditions, as there are plenty of sheltered venues throughout the Lake District. If the forecast looks cold and wet, make sure to bring extra layers and good waterproofs.
Wet weather means we get colder faster and use more energy, so it’s worth packing a bit more food than you would for a normal day out. If the weather becomes unsuitable, we’ll reschedule your course for another date or offer a full refund.
-
If you need to cancel more than 4 weeks before the course, you’ll receive a full refund. Cancellations between 2 and 4 weeks incur a 50% refund, minus a £10 admin fee. Unfortunately, cancellations less than 2 weeks before the course are non-refundable.
-
We usually meet at a local car park or cafe in the morning. This gives us a chance to introduce ourselves, discuss the plan for the day, and get to know you so we can tailor the course to your goals and experience.
If an early start is needed, we’ll arrange a quick call a day or two beforehand to confirm the details.
-
Lake District Mountain Guides is led by James Boothroyd, who delivers the majority of our courses. You can learn more about James and the rest of the team here.
We also work with a trusted group of professional freelance instructors — all fully qualified, experienced, and insured. Your guide will get in touch before the course to introduce themselves, outline the plan, and answer any questions you may have.
Bespoke Climbing Instruction and Guiding
Want a private, bespoke course? Not found what you’re looking for? We can organise a trip just for you
Our Reviews.
-
![]()
James is a patient, encouraging, unflappable guide in all kinds of mountain situations. Just three days of climbing instruction with him changed my confidence and gave me the boost I needed to take my leading to the next level. You can definitely trust him for leadership while developing your own skills
Andrew, Edinburgh, who joined us on a bespoke Multi Pitch Trad course in July 2024
-
![]()
James provided great instruction in the fundamentals of trad climbing, helping us successfully lead our first trad routes. His experience and knowledge has equipped us with skills that have improved both our climbing skills. We can't recommend him enough!
Lucas and Freya, Llanberis, on our learn to Lead course in June 2024
-
![]()
James has been amazing at helping me improve my climbing indoors and develop confidence outdoors with climbs and scrambles! He chose the perfect routes that were the right level of a challenge and really enjoyable (and great views)! He was always so encouraging and got me up things I never thought I’d be able to climb! Highly highly recommend for anyone wanting to gain climbing/ scrambling experience
Evie Rothwell, on a Intro to Scrambling course in May 2024
-
![]()
I had a great day climbing with James at Tremadog last year, we climbed One step in the Clouds and looked at progressing my own trad climbing skills
Joe Clark, on a guided rock climbing day in North Wales in August 2024
-
![]()
I have been lucky to climb with James a few times in Scotland. He is an excellent guide. He is super friendly and very thoughtful about giving you the best experience for you and is always focused on keeping you safe. He is great at sharing his extensive knowledge with you and I learned lots of snow and rope skills alongside the climbing. I'll be looking forward to climbing with James again soon
Zander Wrey, numerous days in Scotland 2024/2025
-
![]()
Spent a few days multi-pitch climbing & mountaineering with James and his knowledge, experience & attention to safety is second to none. He made sure I was looked after the whole time and he was in complete control during our time together. Would highly recommend James to anyone who is looking for a guide for anything mountain or climbing related! *5 star lad*
Matt Aindow, winter 2024
-
![]()
I had an amazing day being guided up Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis by James. I learnt loads and felt safe the whole time. Definitely one of my favourite days out in the hills!
Alex Edge, on a winter climbing day in February 2025
