The UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation), in partnership with the Petzl Foundation, has published the Canyoning Handbook, a comprehensive guide bringing professional instructor-level training within reach of canyoners at every level.
The handbook is now available (digital/download) in English and in French to purchase here.
The handbook is a sister publication of the UIAA Alpine Summer Skills Handbook, first published in 2013, last updated in 2024, and translated into numerous languages.
“This canyoning module has undergone several reviews by federation instructors, professional canyoning instructors, members of the International Canyoning Federation (FIC) and, of course, the UIAA Mountaineering Commission. The techniques presented here are not intended to be the only possible solutions in the field but they have achieved broad consensus for their clarity and ease of use. We hope this handbook will help you pre-pare enjoyable and safe canyon descents for your trainees while respecting this re-markable environment.”
Olivier Moret
Secretary General, Petzl Foundation
“Thanks to the Petzl Foundation for its commitment to climber safety around the world. We are honoured to work alongside such a recognised leader in mountain safety. The Foundation’s continuing contribution to the UIAA’s priority of mountaineering safety cannot be underestimated.”
Peter Muir
President, UIAA
“One of our main goals was to make this handbook as universal as possible. Canyoning practices vary from one country and one tradition to another, so we tried to focus on clear, widely applicable principles and techniques that can be useful across different contexts, while recognising that other valid approaches also exist.”
Philippe Quintart
UIAA Office – Mountain Safety Project Manager
Canyoning is a hybrid activity unlike any other in the outdoor world. It combines vertical rope work, whitewater skills, and travel through confined, often dark terrain. Recognising that clarity matters as much as content, the publication favours detailed illustrations over dense text, making it as useful for a first read as it is for refreshing skills before a season on the water.
Inside, canyoners will find complete coverage of the sport: understanding canyon ecosystems and biodiversity, preparing and managing a group trip, and reading hydrology and flash-flood risk. Equipment chapters explain what to wear, what gear to carry, how to choose rope, and why UIAA-certified equipment matters. The core of the book walks through essential progression skills – communication, knots, anchor systems, and movement through varied terrain, whitewater, and vertical or exposed sections, including rappelling and lock-off technique.
Further chapters address obstacle access using hand lines and supplementary anchor systems, vertical rope work such as rappel stations and releasable systems, managing arrival pools, and minimizing rope wear. A dedicated troubleshooting section covers emergency exits and core rescue techniques, including cut-away rescues at the rappel station. The handbook closes with a full grading and evaluation system to help canyoners assess routes and their own readiness.
Whether preparing for a first descent or refreshing skills after years in the sport, canyoners will find the Canyoning Handbook an essential addition to their kit.
The Canyoning Handbook is available to buy as a digital book at payhip.com/b/s6CNw
Credits
The UIAA thanks all authors for their dedication and expertise in the publication of this handbook. Contributions came from members of the following organisations and bodies:
Associazione Italiana Canyoning
Canyoning Equipment 4 You (CE4Y)
CREPS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Federation Internationale de Canyoning
International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA)
Petzl Foundation
UIAA Safety Commission
UIAA Training Commission
UIAA Office
