ORCA JOINS FORCES WITH ADVENTURE SAFETY INTERNATIONAL TO RUN IT'S GROWING CLIMBING GYM ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

BOULDER, Colo. (June 5, 2001) -- ORCA, the trade association for the $5 billion outdoor industry, is upgrading its Accreditation Program for climbing facilities. The Accreditation program is a voluntary way for operators of manufactured climbing walls to comply with best Industry Practices and responsibly manage risk.

The Climbing Gym Association (CGA) has partnered with Adventure Safety International (ASI) directed by Ian Wade, to streamline and increase participation in the Accreditation Program. "Because of the rapid growth in indoor climbing it is vital that the CGA's Industry practices are shared," said Frank Hugelmeyer, President of ORCA. "Administration of the program by Adventure Safety International, with over 25 years of risk management experience in conducting reviews, will take the program to the next level" continues Hugelmeyer.

The process of being accredited is not difficult. "Climbing facility operators study the CGA's Industry Practices and then schedule a one-day review. Qualified reviewers discuss and observe risk management systems and identify areas for upgrade of practice," said Ian Wade. A report is made and when any suggested remedies are agreed then Accreditation is granted by the CGA for a four-year period.

To make the decade-old Accreditation Program more available to climbing facility operators, ORCA conducted a study last year and adopted several streamlining measures. Ian Wade, who conducted the study with senior CGA Board members, has run Accreditation Programs for Outward Bound worldwide and while President of the American Mountain Guides Association founded their Accreditation Program. Ian is also an Everest summit climber, as climbing leader of the 3-nation 1990 Peace Climb.

The primary benefits to becoming accredited by the CGA are:

• The likelihood of accident is reduced through the internal review of operational practices against accepted Industry Practices. Expert feedback can identify potential problems before accidents happen.
• Accreditation can be a valuable marketing tool reassuring the public that prudent steps have been taken to reduce risk.
• Most climbing facilities that go through the Accreditation Program will more than recover the cost of accreditation through a 20% discount on liability insurance premiums through the CGA's Master Liability Policy.

ORCA was founded in 1989 and provides trade services for over 4,000 manufacturers distributors, suppliers, retailers, sales representatives, and climbing gyms active in the outdoor industry. ORCA's programs include: industry research; representation in Washington; educational programs and cost-saving benefits. ORCA is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. For further information, contact www.orca.org.

ASI provides risk management services for adventure programs worldwide. Safety reviews, accident investigations and training programs have been conducted in sixteen countries in the last couple of years for adventure travel, guiding, school and college adventure programs.

The CGA is dedicated to providing excellent quality of service to the public in the rapidly growing climbing gym industry. The CGA Accreditation Program is a critical step in this process.

To find out more about the CGA Accreditation Program, please contact the Climbing Gym Association at the above address. The basic steps are:

1. Join ORCA and select the CGA Special Interest Group ($125)
2. Get materials about the CGA Accreditation Program from the above address
3. Purchase and study the CGA Industry Practices ($100 members)
4. Schedule a 1-day review ($250 deposit)
5. Conduct the review ($1,050 balance)
6. Respond to any issues raised in the review
7. Accreditation is granted by the CGA Board for 4-years