Certification Levels

The purpose of SAWA certification is twofold.

The first is to provide a credential system for professional whip performers, similar to other professional organizations such as the Society of American Fight Directors.

The second is to provide a structured "ability level" system similar to the belt system in martial arts, so that students of the whip arts have a means of gauging their own advancement, and have a structured means of setting and attaining personal goals.

The certification process of the SAWA is completely voluntary, and not required to be a member. It is merely in place for professionals and for hobbiests who wish to further develop their skills.

There are currently 4 levels of whip artist certification and 4 levels of whip instructor certification through the SAWA.

These are:

Whip Artists

• Level 1 Whip Artist: basic knowledge and ability of the 5 different cracks, whip safety, whip construction and history, and basic care and maintenance.
• Level 2 Whip Artist: basic and advanced targeting, basic multiple cracking routines, basic two-handed whip routines, advanced maintenance and repair.
• Level 3 Whip Artist: advanced targeting, advanced multiple cracking and two handed routines, performance and staging skills.
• Level 4 Whip Artist: this level is based on the skills of the individual artist and in what area they wish to focus their skills. Personal goals and criteria for this level with be established by the whip artist and his/her instructor.

Whip Instructors

• Level 1 (Basic) Whip Instructor: Completion of both level 1 and 2 Whip Artistry Certifications. Demonstration of whip teaching techniques, and ability to convey proper cracking techniques, and evaluate/troubleshoot whip performance of students.
• Level 2 (Advanced) Whip Instructor: Completion of levels 1-3 of Whip Artistry Certifications. Completion of Level 1 Whip Instructor Certification. Demonstration of teaching advanced techniques, and choreography design of whip routines to match the level of the student/performer.

Information on receiving certification in the SAWA as Artist Level 1 or 2 or Instructor Level 1 are available by clicking here.