Testimonials for Trad Lead Climbing Course
Testimonials for Traditional Lead Climbing Course
"Xiaoping's experience really shows in his instruction. He poses different scenarios you might face on thenrock and how to safely and efficiently deal with them. He really stressed safety, and was very meticulous in teaching me gear placement. He took pictures of my gear placememt and showed me how to improve my placement. The course was fun too because I've always been interested in Trad climbing and having an expert finally explain everything and get you to climb was rewarding. Overall, Xiaoping was very helpful, fun and informative." -- Omar Elmenawi, Mississauga, Ontario (May 30, 2017)
"Fantastic course. I really appreciate how patient XiaoPing is and how he showed us many options for each item. This is really helpful for us to transition to doing it on our own." -- Michelle Ang, Toronto, Ontario (April 20, 2016)
"I enjoyed the lesson a lot. It was great and effective. It would be great if we could get an electronic copy of the summary of the course content discussed with videos and illustrations. Thanks!" -- Mohsen Shahini, Toronto, Ontario (August 26, 2013)
"Xiaoping is an excellent teacher. He is very patient and thorough. Each class lasted as long as we could handle. He customized the course to suit our needs and abilities. It was fun too. Thanks Xiaoping!" -- Kim Jean, Toronto, Ontario (June 5, 2013)
"The Traditional Lead Climbing course has been invaluable in giving me the confidence required to be able to trad lead climb on my own. After completing the course I felt like I had the competency and awareness to be able to assess risks and make good judgement with gear placements and selecting routes. Thank you Xiaoping for being flexible and addressing all my questions so thoroughly." -- Victor Machado, Toronto, Ontario (June 2, 2013)
"The lesson was very thorough and helped me understand how to evaluate risk in trad climbing. I especially appreciate the after course support as it helps reinforce concepts that I learnt in the lesson!" -- Alex Gap, Kitchener, Ontario (May 13, 2013)
"Great class. :D Learned a lot." -- Boris Peresechensky, Toronto, Ontario (October 15, 2012)
"Xiaoping has been more than an instructor to me for my lessons at Zen Climb, but also a caring and supportive friend. The feedback and encouragement I've received has made me a better physically prepared, technically and mentally ready climber. Thanks Xiaoping!" -- Raz Peel, Toronto, Ontario (October 13, 2012)
"I have wanted to learn trad climbing nearly my whole life. Trad climbing is in my opinion a testament to ingenuity and determination of the human race. The most beautiful part is that the only limiting factor is you, your climbing abilities, and most importantly your confidence; confidence which comes from knowledge and experience. It is an act of humility and patience with a great view! It is for these reasons, after reading a couple of books on trad climbing, I called Xiaoping at Zen Climb and took his Traditional Lead Climbing course.
The week before the class I was a ball of nerves, but Xiaoping called me a couple times during that week and I could tell from our conversations that he had a plethora of knowledge and experience, he was calming and reassuring. He spent the time before our class to better understand my strengths and weaknesses, to help dispel my irrational fears while helping me understand and mitigate the rational fears that I held.
On the rock: Xiaoping’s course was incredibly well organized and safety was always the paramount concern. At no point during his course did I ever feel nervous for my personal safety; I think this is crucial because it allows you to focus your energy. I found that during his course, I felt the calmest I have ever felt on the rock, and so, rather than expend energy calming my nerves, I was able to absorb Xiaoping’s wealth of knowledge and experience like a bilge sponge.
Xiaoping is truly a great teacher, how to best explain? Hmm, how about Clove Hitches. Now, I don’t think I’m a genius, but I am certain that I’m not a moron, that said, it took me a while to learn this hitch. A poor teacher explains a topic in one way and repeats the same teaching method when their students are not learning it. A great teacher, however, adapts their teaching methods by analyzing their students and finding a way to relate the information that best suits their students’ needs and learning styles. A great teacher is patient and knows that when a student isn’t doing something properly, it’s often because the teacher explained the material in a method that wasn’t compatible with the student’s learning methods and style. That is exactly how I felt when learning from Xiaoping, when I didn’t understand his first method of explaining something, he always found another clear and concise manner by which to relate the information to me. And most importantly, he never gave up even when I wanted to and he never got frustrated even though I did!
Xiaoping is also there for you after the class ends. I finished the class on Saturday. The next day I was taking two friends who’d never climbed outdoors top roping. Xiaoping was at the crag, and we climbed together as friends. He reassured and calmed me, lent me his rack and time, and gave me a belay on my first TRAD LEAD! It was the scariest and only 5.1 I’ve ever climbed but I felt confident because of what I’d learnt in Xiaoping’s class, and because I knew that as my belayer, he has an extra pair of expert eyes.
I would recommend Xiaoping’s courses to everyone and anyone. Whether you want to learn how to setup basic top rope anchors, how to lead climb, or how to plug pro, Xiaoping has the experience, patience, and knowledge. He is a mentor and a friend, someone I’d trust any day to hold the rope that holds my life." -- Eli Cadesky, Toronto, Ontario (Summer, 2011)
"Taking the traditional Lead Climbing course with Xiaoping enabled me to critically evaluate gear placement and the building of anchor systems. In addition, knowing that Xiaoping has been professionally evaluated by AMGA has given me peace of mind that he is competent and his advice is based on accredited standards. Thank you!" -- Matthew Meadows, Barrie, Ontario (Spring, 2011)