Friendly competitions for every age and ability

Far friendlier than they sound.

Our competitions are about a full gym, new problems and cheering for strangers. Novices and experienced crushers climb the same round, and most people are there for the atmosphere.

How the Mega Series works

Climbers gathered at the bottom of the competition wall

Who: All ages and abilities
The Mega Series: A round every two months
Each round: 25 brand new problems
Scoring: You score yourself

The Boulder Shack Mega Series

Devised over many tea breaks.

The Mega Series runs through the year with a round every two months and a Grand Final in December. Every round has 25 brand new problems, and the evening ends with a raffle.

The whole point is fun and inclusivity. First timers and the sharp end compete together, in categories that keep it fair.

A climber spread wide between two black volumes

Why enter

You do not have to be good.

A category for you
Under 12s, 13 to 16, 17 and over, over 40 and over 55. Apart from the under 12s, each is split by gender.
Scored on honesty
You mark your own card and somebody else confirms it. Nobody is standing over you with a clipboard.
A proper night out
New problems, a busy gym, the café open and a raffle at the end. Plenty of people come just for that.

The format

Fair and simple.

Pick up a scorecard
Buy your scorecard from reception on the day. You need to be a registered Boulder Shack climber, which you can sort out when you arrive.
Start on the tags
Start holds are marked with pink tags, one hand per tag. Feet leave the floor before your hands move.
Finish in control
The finish hold is tagged too. Hold it with both hands, in control, and the problem is yours.
Get it confirmed
Mark your score and ask a second person to confirm it. Brushing holds is fine; trying them out before your go is not.

National competition, on our wall

We host the BMC Youth Climbing Series.

Every year Boulder Shack hosts a round of the BMC Youth Climbing Series, the British Mountaineering Council’s competition for young climbers. It draws hundreds of young people from across the country, who compete in regional rounds for a place at the Grand Final.

It means young climbers in Southampton get national level competition on their own wall, and we are proud to work with the BMC to put it on.

See the Junior Climbing Club

A young climber in a red vest pulling on two purple holds

FAQs

Questions people ask.

Anything else, ring us on 02380 171 808.

Do I need to book?
Not usually. You can walk in and climb, though weekday evenings get busy. If you have never climbed before, book an induction so somebody can show you round properly. It takes 25 minutes and costs £16.50.
Is there a joining fee?
No joining fee and no contract. Memberships are monthly and you can cancel whenever you need to. If you are not sure yet, a day ticket or a punch card is a sensible place to start.
How often do the problems change?
A different wall is stripped and reset every Friday, so there is something new every week and the whole gym turns over across the cycle.
What is the ICWC benefit?
We are a founding member of the Independent Climbing Wall Collective. Members get free visits to other independent walls in the collective, which is very handy if you travel.
What counts as off-peak?
Weekdays 10:00 to 16:00. Everything else is peak. If you are on an off-peak ticket or membership and want to stay into the evening, there is a £3.50 peak upgrade at the desk.
Is there a training area?
Yes. Weights, racks, rings, a board and space to warm up properly, all next to the walls. It is included with climbing memberships, and there is a gym only membership at £9.95 a month if that is all you want.