Testimonials for Top Rope Anchor Setting and Climbing Course
"The course was very systematic, clear, and by the end of the day all the participants were equipped to be able to climb by themselves. Thanks, Xiaoping!" -- Hubert Razack, Toronto, Ontario (July 4, 2017)
"I reccomend taking detailed notes when taking this course, and practcing all the skills that you learned the day after. Rock climbing is a knowledge based sport, and it requires practice to achieve fluency in that knowledge. Xiaoping gave us time to take notes and pictures of gear placement, and he was happy to answer my questions when I called him. Great experience overall." -- -- Omar Elmenawi, Mississauga, Ontario (June 6, 2017)
"Training was really detailed. You can’t find that on YouTube. Every participant had opportunity to fully understand every aspect of tethering, anchoring and rapelling. After setting we applied our knowledge at the end and climb on our routes. Xiaoping was patient and he didn’t let us skip any detail. He closely monitored whole group all the time. At the end of a long day everyone went home satisfied and ready to face the real rock by themselves." -- V. P., Toronto, Ontario (June 6, 2017)
"Xiaoping was an excellent instructor with a wealth of knowledge. I learned a lot and had a great day outside on the crag. The only thing I would advise is that this course may be 12 hours depending on who you have with you in your group so budget your time accordingly." -- Sean Sullivan, Oshawa, Ontario (May 22, 2017)
"Xiaoping was extremely patient and thorough. He reviewed why he taught certain processes and provided detail and tips to help us commit lessons to memory. Our group had a really fun day, we felt safe the whole time and by the end we were able to problem solve together to figure out our own anchors." -- Julia Pilliar, Toronto, Ontario (May 16, 2017)
"XiaoPing is very thorough in his explanation, he teaches all the necessary anchor setting techniques to be safe." -- Peili Dai, Scarborough, Ontario (September 24, 2016)
"Safety was never a concern during the Gym to Crag course with Xiaoping. Every participant received personalised instruction on their preferred method of anchor setting and tethering. As participants, we received instruction on current risk management methods certified by American Mountain Guides Association along with a brief history on the evolution of risk management." -- Russell Perkins, St. Catherines, Ontario (September 19, 2016)
"Xiaoping was a very good instructor and explained everything well and efficiently. He was also cautious to address safety concerns across different techniques." -- Anna Mersov, Toronto, Ontario (September 19, 2016)
"Had a lot of fun and learned everything I needed to know to confidently setup top rope anchoring systems as well as what equipment I will need to do it safely." -- Scott Willems, Milton, Ontario (May 30, 2016)
"This was a great course! I climb very frequently indoors and when friends suggested we try outdoor climbing I was hesitant, so we took this class with Xiaoping. While the risk of climbing became much more apparent when making the transition from indoors to outdoors, Xiaoping's structure to teaching was focused on safety and feeling comfortable setting up your own equipment to a high standard. After taking this course I am comfortable and confident with setting up my own anchors safely and cannot wait to climb outside again! Thanks, Xiaoping! " -- Christine Valancius, Toronto, Ontario (May 2, 2016)
"Excellent course! Very informative, I feel much safer now climbing outside." -- Alexandra Veglio, Mississauga, Ontario (April 30, 2016)
"Great course. I feel much more confident now." -- Ken MacGillivray, Mississauga, Ontario (April 30, 2016)
"Although I had had some previous climbing experience (many years ago), Xiaoping did not rush me through the basics or take short cuts based on my presumed level of knowledge. I very much appreciated this--it gave me the opportunity to review everything I once knew before learning new skills and thus provided a firm foundation on which to build. Thanks for your patience and meticulous attention to detail!" -- Cannon Schmitt, Toronto, Ontario (June 18, 2015)
"Excellent instructor. Was thorough in his explanations and eagerly answered any questions that we had. Also really enjoyed that we were able to climb a few pitches in the course." -- Stephane Young, Waterloo, Ontario (May 20, 2015)
"The course was very well taught. As we a few students together on the course, Xiaoping adjusted and focused his instruction to meet our personal experience levels to ensure we all had proper instruction. Xiaoping is an awesome instructor, and I know I will be back for another course as my experience grows and I am ready for the next evolution of my climbing life." -- Nick Vukojevic, Hamilton, Ontario (April 22, 2015)
"Raz was a conscientious and patient instructor, who tailored the course to our level of ability." -- Katherine Webber, Vancouver, British Columbia (April 19, 2015)
"Not only was the course an excellent grounding that gave me the confidence and information I need to set my own top-rope climbs, the instructor was constantly asking questions about how I would apply the knowledge and information - this allowed me to visualise implementation (and come up with questions) and he re-emphasised certain points that were more applicable to my situation - based on rock-type, height, experience of my fellow climbers etc." -- Gordon Casey, Curacao, Netherlands (October 3, 2014)
"I enjoyed the course and the day went by quickly. Xiaoping was patient, thorough and consistently emphasized safety and risk management along with technique." -- Gary Rennie, Tecumseh, Ontario (May 19, 2014)
"It was a good course, well taught and very informative. Thank you Xiaoping." -- Joseph Troppmann, Toronto, Ontario (September 23, 2013)
"Nice pace today, everything was explained well with rationale behnd different techniques. Was good to do each type of anchor under instruction then have opportunity to decide on own tethering and anchor later in day." -- Laura White, Toronto, Ontario (Sept. 2, 2013)
"One of the best classes I ever taken. I feel extremely confident with my knots and my anchor setups. I now have a variety of anchor setups to choose from. I would recommend this class to anyone interested in learning how to properly set up top roping anchors." -- Allen Mercer, Cheektowaga, New York, USA (August 20, 2013)
"I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and felt safe throughout the day." -- Jan van Niekerk, Oakville, Ontario (July 27, 2013)
"Xiaoping is an extremely patient and informative instructor. I never felt rushed or frustrated at any time. Even if I had difficulty with a particular part he was also very patient." -- Paul Perlas, Brampton, Ontario (July 20, 2013)
"Xiaoping was a great teacher, the suggestions for gear were especially useful." -- Mark Fennema, Hamilton, Ontario (July 20, 2013)
"Xiaoping was awesome at ensuring everyone's safety and that we check each others'. That was his top priority from the beginning until the end of the day. Only core lesson missed (which to be honest I didn't even realize) was addressed by him in a follow-up email." -- Patricia Robinson, Collingwood, Ontario (June 9, 2013)
"I was learning continuously. I especially appreciated how, after making sure we understood the core of a particular technique, you challenged us with problematic situations that took longer to work out. Having to really analyze a particular case, try different solutions to getting a good anchor, and get your very positive advice and demonstrations was where a lot of the learning got "locked in." We did not do items 12, 13 and 14. However - I didn't feel as if we spent "too much time" on the core setup skills (tethered approaches, anchor selection and setting, ground anchor setting). Maybe the actual climbing instruction points are best left for a second day/meetup or even as a separate course anyway. That way students get a chance to refresh the anchor setting skills, and then approach the basic climbing skills fresh. Otherwise it would have been a lot for one day." -- Michael, Clarke, Toronto, Ontario (June 9, 2013)
"I really enjoyed the two courses (Top Rope Anchor Setting and Climbing; Sport Lead Climbing and Rappelling) I took with Zen Climb. Xiaoping is an excellent instructor. He maintains safety as the top priority, ensuring clients learn everything they need to know to stay safe on the mountain. He is very patient and takes the time to review lessons as many times as needed. In particular, I appreciated his concern about "skills fade" among course graduates. He created opportunities for course graduates to get together for outdoor climbing (at no cost). Thanks to Xiaoping, I have increased confidence on the rock and new partners to climb with." -- Gillian Batt, Toronto, Ontario (Oct. 31, 2012)
“My friends and I went to Metcalfe yesterday! I set up rope 3 times, twice with the anchors that were already there, and once with using a solid rock and a tree! Went pretty awesome! thanks for teaching me all the necessary skills!" -- Georgiy Verby, Toronto, Ontario (July 2, 2012)
"I could not have had a better experience than the one I had with Zen Climb. The instructor was knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and friendly. I received all the information I could have desired, and more. This course gave me the knowledge, experience and confidence I needed to set up top rope anchors safely and effectively outside. And I had a great time while doing it! Thanks so much, Zen Climb!" ---- Kim Palonen, Toronto, Ontario (June 2012)
“I was very impressed with the way you taught the course. You covered every aspect thoroughly and in great detail. With the emphasis that you put on safety I would feel 100 percent confident in recommending your course to others. We all had a fun day!” -- Brett Scott, Burlington, Ontario (June 2012)
"Thank you very much for spending time with us today. I really enjoyed the course and look forward to taking more with you in the future. It was terrific, by the end of the day I was far more comfortable than I would have imagined." -- Dyson Smith, Burlington, Ontario (May 2012)
"Xiapoing was a very knowledgeable and supportive instructor. The course was a great experience and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his courses to anyone, beginner or experienced." -- Ian Hazell, Burlington, Ontario (May 2012)
"Excellent instructor. My girlfriend and I have now taken both the 'Introductory to Outdoor Rock Climbing and Rappelling" and "Gym to Crag: Top Rope Anchor Setting and Climbing" courses. We have learned valuable skills and now feel confident enough to build our own top rope anchors and can now climb on our own. The emphasis of safety is a paramount concern and it is drilled into everyone's head. Well worth the investment!" -- Tyler Bradley, Burlington, Ontario (May 2012)
"I really enjoyed the Top Rope Anchor Setting course. I had fun and learned a lot. Xiaoping and Jonah are great instructors. To make sure we didn't forget the stuff we had learned, Xiaoping organized another climbing day for us "graduates". Never thought I'd be climbing outdoors in November!" -- Jelena Balic, Toronto, Ontario (November 2011)
"I feel that I have gained solid knowledge to climb outdoors with subjective safety and will definitely put it to use with my kids." -- Marco Mariotti, Toronto, Ontario (2011)
"Your lessons on top rope anchor setting with rope, webbing and cord with the different anchoring options and techniques were delivered with professionalism and care. We appreciated it very much! We came away having learned more than we ever expected. I would recommend this course to anyone who needs to understand top rope anchor setting. Without it one could think they understood what to do but they would be at risk. Thanks again!" -- Ken Briggs and Mike Winger, Huntsville, Ontario (2011)