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Internet vs Professional Instruction

Module 13

Canyoneering combines hiking, climbing, swimming, and rappelling through canyons. While reading about canyoneering can provide valuable theoretical knowledge, such as from this training, please opt in for professional training and hands-on experience before your first canyon.


Why Not Just Use Internet Instruction?

  • Limited Perspective: Online guides and videos provide general advice but often lack context or specificity for real-world scenarios. I will do my best here to go beyond the mark and provide the best lecture-based training.

  • Lack of Feedback: Internet resources cannot correct mistakes, provide tailored guidance, or adapt to your learning pace.

  • Overconfidence Risk: Reading or watching videos can create a false sense of preparedness, leading to dangerous situations in the canyon.

Why Professional Canyoneering Training Matters

  • Safety First: Learn to assess and mitigate risks like flash floods and equipment failure. Gain life-saving emergency preparedness skills.

  • Technical Skills Development: Hands-on training for rappelling, knot tying, route finding, and proper equipment use.

  • Real-World Application: Adapt skills to unique canyon challenges and practice critical decision-making in real-time scenarios.

  • Mentorship and Guidance: Expert instructors provide personalized feedback, while peer learning fosters collaboration and growth.

Additional Benefits of Professional Training

  • Confidence Building: Progress through foundational to advanced skills, gaining confidence for tackling more complex canyons.

  • Legal & Ethical Knowledge: Learn local laws, permit requirements, and Leave No Trace principles for responsible participation.

  • Community & Networking: Connect with like-minded enthusiasts for future adventures and access expert recommendations.

  • Physical Conditioning: Understand the fitness demands of canyoneering and integrate mental and physical skills through practice.

If local training isn’t available:

  • Join online forums (like the one here on this website – see the top menu under “Forum”) or meetups to learn from experienced canyoneers.

  • Look for free workshops through the American Canyoneering Association (announced on their Facebook page).

There are a growing number of social media pages to follow and to supplementary learn from, (including introducing yourself and expressing a desire to meet-up in person) are:


Facebook: Canyoneering101

Facebook: Art of RopeWork

Facebook: Utah Canyoneers

Facebook: Utah Canyoneering Explorers

Facebook: Zion Canyoneering

Facebook: Pacific Northwest Canyoning

Facebook: SoCal Canyoneering

Facebook: AZ Canyoneers

Facebook: Canyon Rigging

Facebook: Vancouver Canyoning

Facebook: Canyon Gear: shop/swap, discuss, etc.



Please be objective in what you learn, and when in doubt, ask a more experienced canyoneer about it, or ask the online canyoneering communities before blindly following.

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