Dave is a highly professional and enthusiastic instructor. He is able to establish an excellent rapport with every group he teaches allowing him to tailor the session to their particular needs, allowing for efficient instructing. With regards to climbing Dave is highly competent and operates in a extremely safe manor. He is particularly good at breaking down processes such as belaying to help the client not only be able to carry out the task but also understand why each part of it is important. Dave has also assisted in route setting at a centre I work at focusing on creating boulder problems between 3+ and 6a which incorporate a variety of movements and techniques for novice climbers. I have only received positive feedback regarding these problems and I have found them extremely useful when teaching basic technique to both adult and child novices. Having assisted Dave in teaching Bronze and Silver D of E awards he has developed several methods to teach key principals of navigation and efficiency of travel that the children found engaging and highly useful. With regards to personal climbing Dave is highly competent with a passion to help others improve as well as displaying a willingness to improve himself. To summarise Dave is a highly passionate and driven individual which any employer would be fortunate to have running their groups in a variety of settings.

Since meeting Dave back in August 2017 he has inspired me to get into more outdoor activities, mainly climbing but also map reading and navigation. Climbing: From my very first session Dave showed so much knowledge about the climbing set up and knowledge of the walls I was filled with confidence in his ability to teach, train and guide me in my climbing. Within a few sessions Dave had taught me how to belay, including how to use a weight bag and the correct knots to use to tie onto one, to counteract our weight difference. He also had me progressing quite quickly to harder routes, making suggestions about feet positioning, centre of mass distribution and gently pushing me to challenge myself out of my comfort zone. Dave and another CWI holder, ran the schools climbing club on a Monday and Wednesday from September to April which he encouraged me to help out at. Although I was a novice to the sport it was clear the respect the pupils had for Dave and his climbing knowledge and ability. Each session started with a fun warm up and progressed into a good hour of paired or grouped climbs all under Daves supervision. The pupils were aware they had to check their tie ins and belay set up with the instructors every time and the dead end of the rope was always supervised. The safety of pupils always came first with crash mats and safety briefings but each child went away looking forward to the next weeks session. Throughout these after school clubs I was able to watch Dave support, encourage and inspire every pupil, passing down his own experiences and challenge these young people in a positive manner. The climbing club at school was such a success Dave organised the schools first ever climbing club trip to North West Wales which took place in early June 2018. When the trip was aired to the pupils everyone wanted to attend which is testament to how much Dave has inspired them and how highly thought of he was. However, places were limited so 11 pupils attended and for most had their first experience of outdoor climbing on a crag at Barmouth, Wales. Again with the help of another CWI instructor all pupils climbed 4 routes and even abseiled down a crag too. The pupils loved every minute and all felt safe and confident under Daves guidance. After spending an evening in a lovely beach front hostel that Dave organised, the pupils then took to the water in Borth, Wales for a surfing lesson which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The pupils who attended the trip can not speak higher of Dave and the quality of his teaching where he motivates all to enjoy their climbing no matter what level they are. I have now been climbing for 10 months and Dave has taken me to 6 climbing venues to try out different routes, see how the gradings differ and develop my climbing skills in new and different circumstances. His constant positive, supportive nature shines through in every session he runs, be it with friends or strangers which makes him an outstanding climbing instructor. Map Navigation: Since September 2017 I have been keen to help with the schools very popular Duke of Edinburgh scheme however, I was aware that I needed to be confident in my own ability to map read. Dave encouraged me to attend the silver/gold core skills weekend which he ran which went over key map reading skills such as using contours, scales, map features, as well as how to use a compass and pacings. I was also paired with Dave on a bronze day walk where he went over these aspects again on a more one on one basis enabling me to check and gain confidence in my knowledge. Dave has also given up his time to run navigation evenings and weekends for a group of his friends who are keen to learn about map work. During these sessions he stopped at key points, asking probing questions and allowing the ‘pupils’ to put their knowledge to the test in real life situations. Overall, Dave is a motivational and outstanding instructor who is willing to go out of his way to not only help but guide those around him to get involved with the activities he is so passionate about.