9 March 2023
Every day, they walk around the forest, helping climbers and ensuring your safety. But what does a climbing instructor's day actually look like? Judith, instructor at Klimbos Gooi-Eemland, is happy to tell you!
As an instructor, I deal with many different tasks in a working day. This keeps the work nice and varied. You don't become an instructor overnight; I was trained for that at the Klimbos. But I learned most during my working days in the forest.
At the start of a working day, I start up together with my colleagues. For this, I am already present at 09.00. Before the first instruction starts, we climb the routes to check them. This way we can be sure that the guests can enter the trees safely.
I also sometimes start up the cash register and catering. Then I make sure the money is counted, the sandwich irons are hot and the stocks are replenished. That way I avoid having to do this during a busier time of the day.
When the first guests arrive, on some days I take on the role of cashier. At the till, I welcome guests and tell them where and when the instruction is. During the day, I also keep an eye on the catering and help people if they want to buy some food or drinks.
As an instructor, my day usually consists of giving instructions. I learnt this during one of the training days. 10 minutes before my instruction starts, I make sure the right belts are hanging ready for my group. At the agreed time, I call the group together, after which I start the instruction. In it, I explain how the guests climb safely and check during the instructional course that what I have told is clear. On one day, I give about 3 to 4 instructions.
I also do a lot of supervisory walking in the forest. Here, I keep an eye on the climbers, try to give tips here and there, chat with the guests and help where necessary. One of the most beautiful and important things I get to do is help someone get over their fear. Sometimes a guest doesn't dare to go on or feels unwell. That's when I come to the rescue! I have learned to get you out of the tree safely. Even in a thunderstorm, strong wind or fire!
As the end of the day approaches, I start shutting down. I make sure waste ends up in the bins, supplies are replenished, the toilets and our little building are clean and the belts are properly hung on the wall again. This allows my colleagues to start the next day tidy. I also keep an eye on when the last climbers have left the routes. That way I know that everyone is safely back on the ground when I go home around 7pm as well. And when all the guests have left, my colleagues and I often finish off with a drink!
