Have you ever noticed how power tripper climbers often try to teach belaying to newbies? If I'm honest, I've taught belaying hundreds of times as I am a guide and it is my job to show people climbing safety (only to have most them climb circles around me 3 months later).
But I can also say it comes from a pure place - not power. I'm very sensitive and aware when I teach belaying as I admire people who step out of their comfort zone to try climbing/belaying (I often do it for selfish reasons too as I'm always looking for a solid belayer).
I remember what it was like to literally take the responsibility of holding a life in my hand. Pretty intense.
So you can imagine how shocked I was when I saw The Breeze act like a chihuahua on a leg, make front-to-back contact by wrapping his arms around a young lady, while teaching a belay class to her.
Enter The Breeze: master of knots, lord of touchy hands, the self-proclaimed Greatest Belay Instructor of All Time.
And yes—one time, in a real-life moment of questionable teaching style, he tried to show a woman (who, by the way, openly preferred dating her own sex) how to belay by wrapping his arms around her from behind “so she could feel the movement.” Gross? Definitely.
Memorable? Oh yeah.
The Breeze Method: Loud, Questionable, Effective
The Breeze swears belaying is all about technique, precision, and trust. But anyone who’s seen his classes knows it’s also about:
40% instruction
60% ego
100% unsolicited mid-demo touching
I'll bet his favorite magician is David Copp-a-feel!
He’ll bark commands like a drill sergeant, short rope lead climbers, have you running to and from the wall to control slack (I'd love to see that on big walls) and somehow turn a five-minute lesson into a one-man show. Not to mention the handsy hands that will touch your .... hands, if your lucky.
What You Actually Learn
While The Breeze makes everything about himself, Kokopelli guides use that same energy to teach climbers real, practical skills (without the groping) like:
Belaying – lead and top rope, with zero “wraparound instruction.”
Rescue Systems – because self-rescue is way cooler than waiting for a helicopter.
Rappelling – safely, efficiently, and with way fewer ego speeches.
Clipping Technique – so you don’t whip off the third bolt like a rookie.
The Brutal Truth
The Breeze makes it weird. Kokopelli makes it professional.
Want to actually learn to belay without feeling like you just signed up for a medical exam?
Book a Kokopelli guide. Belaying, rescue systems, rappelling, clipping—they’ll teach you everything you need to climb hard and climb safe.
P.S. The lady he wrapped his arms around is in intensive therapy but is expected to make a full recovery, eventually.
Here’s a legit REI video on belaying for the basics—but if you want real instruction with zero drama
ABOUT Bennett Musick:
AMGA/PCGI Trained Guide since 2009, Owner Of Kokopelli Climbing who loves bringing climbing adventures into peoples lives and survivor of The Breezes' destructive ego.
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Every guide in the Kokopelli network is personally interviewed, thoroughly vetted, and chosen not just for skill, but for character. We believe in mentorship, humility, and unforgettable climbing days—safely, professionally, and with heart.
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