Show Notes:

Related resources:

• AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Page
• SPI handbook (2024)
• EP 20 – Everything SPI 01 – Professionalism and Risk Management
• EP 29 – Everything SPI 02 – Site Selection & Group Management
• Andrew Megas-Russell Instagram https://www.instagram.com/megas_sends/

Episode Intro:

Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday. This is the third episode of the “Everything SPI” series. And yes I’m your host Ting Ting from sunny Las Vegas. Today we have a guest from the AMGA office, Andrew Megas-Russell. Andrew is the AMGA Climbing Instructor Program Manager. He oversees the Single Pitch and Climbing Wall Instructor Programs.

The main topic of the episode was the new evaluation system. We talked about the background of transitioning from the old system to the new system and what the AMGA is trying to accomplish with the new system. We looked at the new scoring system and what factors would impact the score. We discussed how the new system has been received by the providers and candidates, etc. We also talked about other general topics such as high standard versus minimum standard, continuing future improvements on the SPI program, interesting stats, and exciting upcoming changes.

Things We Talked about:

• Andrew’s role in AMGA. Why is he relevant to SPI programs
• From the old eval system to the new eval system
• Overview of the new system and major improvements of the new system
• How to interpret the score? Addition? Subtraction?
• How do SPI providers and SPI candidates feel about the new scoring system?
• What’s a strong written evaluation?
• The different roles played by the post exam debrief and written evaluation
• Is there an appeal process?
• Is it appropriate to say that SPI is an entry-level course?
• Are there too many SPIs out there?
• Interesting stats