The NZ Army Leadership Centre (NZALC) brought a group of students to Wanaka last week to learn how to rock climb, and help them learn to stay effective under stress.

The NZALC has been bringing groups to the Wanaka area for more than ten years, NZALC senior instructor Jim Masson told the Wanaka App, to make the most of the area’s quality sport climbing and wide range of grades. 

“Within the students’ role as leaders within the NZ Army, rock climbing is not relevant. Within the context of remaining effective when under stress, it is absolutely relevant,” Jim said.

He said there are two learning outcomes targeted for the six days the group of 20 people visited.

“The main effort is targeting self-awareness with a supporting effort of developing a performance mind-set,” Jim said.

NZALC members experiencing Wanaka’s crags last week.

Building trust and relationships and influencing the performance of others when under pressure were also important outcomes from the exercise.

Most of the group would not have been familiar with rock climbing, but they went straight into lead climbing.

The climbers the Wanaka App spoke to at Hospital Flat’s Main Cliff had experienced the expected stress of going straight into the demanding exercise, but they had all enjoyed themselves.

Jim said the courses are generally well validated by the student groups, who experience a new activity and develop insight into their own behaviour.

The NZALC also conducts courses in other regions, depending on the pursuit and season. 

The NZALC uses caving, white water kayaking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, ski touring, tramping and adventure racing as the training mediums, Jim said.

PHOTOS: Supplied