First time climbing in Southampton: Your first visit, from the car park to the top of the wall.
You do not need to be strong, young or brave. You need about an hour and a pair of socks. Here is exactly what happens.
Before you come
Three things, and you can do them all from the sofa.
Book an induction
Twenty five minutes with a coach, and your climb afterwards is included. Booking means somebody is ready for you when you walk in.
Fill in the waiver
Everybody who climbs needs one, and it has a short safety video in it. Do it at home and you will not be doing it at the desk.
Wear anything you can move in
Leggings, shorts, a t-shirt, whatever is comfortable. Bring socks. Climbing shoes are included with your induction, in every size.
On the day
What happens, in the order it happens.
Step 1: Getting here
We are at Unit 4, Imperial Park, Empress Road, Southampton SO14 0JW. Parking is free and right outside. Register your car on the tablet by the front desk when you come in: it takes a moment and it saves you a fine. How to find us
Step 2: At the desk
Tell us it is your first time. We check you in and sort you out with climbing shoes. There is step-free entry, and wheelchair access around the centre.
Step 3: Your induction
Twenty five minutes with a coach. They show you how to fall and land safely, how the colour grades work, where to start and what not to do. Scared of heights? Tell them, and they will keep you low until you are ready.
Step 4: Your first climb
The climb after your induction is included, so stay as long as you like. The easiest problems have big holds and big footholds, and they are there to be walked up. You never have to go higher than you want to.
Step 5: Afterwards
The café is open whenever the centre is, so sit down with a drink and watch how somebody else does the one you could not. From now on you can come back whenever we are open, on your own, with no booking.
Bringing children?
Check how many one adult can bring.
Children from 4 can climb whenever we are open, as long as an adult is supervising. That adult needs an induction too, unless they already climb regularly.
1 to 1
Aged 4 and 5. One adult for each child, no exceptions.
1 to 2
Aged 6 to 17. One adult for two climbers. Bringing three? You will need a second adult.
Under 4
The youngest age to climb is 4. Climbing Tots is the session for 2 to 5 year olds, with a grown up alongside.
Coming with an experienced climber?
They can sign in up to two new climbers and supervise them, with no induction needed that day. You still need a waiver. It is worth booking an induction later anyway, so you are not waiting on them every time.
What it costs
Your first visit, priced.
The induction includes your climb that day. After that it is a day pass, or a membership if you catch the bug.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Induction (25 min coached class), AdultCounts as day entry. Free shoe hire. Stay and climb afterwards. Come back independently forever after. | £16.50per person |
| Induction (25 min coached class), Child / Concession | £11.50per person |
| Induction (25 min coached class), Additional children (family discount)Book 1 adult and 1 child, then all subsequent children are half price. | £5.75per person |
| Induction (25 min coached class), Non-climber / SupervisorFor an adult who only wants to learn how to supervise novices. | £3.50per person |
The things people ask us first.
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.
Can I come on my own?
Most people do. You do not need a partner for bouldering, and it is normal to end up chatting to whoever is working the same problem. If you would rather arrive with a plan, come to a social.
Am I too old or unfit for this?
No. Bouldering is problem solving as much as it is strength, and you climb at whatever height you are happy at. We have regulars in their seventies and people who came in having done no exercise for a decade. Older and Boulder on Tuesday and Thursday mornings is a gentle way in.
Do I need to be strong?
No. The easiest problems are big holds and big footholds, and they are there to be walked up. Strength comes from climbing, not before it. Technique and reading the wall get you further than pull-ups.
What is bouldering?
Climbing without ropes, on walls that are not too high, over deep padded matting. No harness, no belaying, no partner needed. That is why it is the easiest form of climbing to start on your own.
Can children come?
Yes. Climbing Tots is for 2 to 5 year olds, 4 to 13 year olds climb supervised by an adult, and 14 to 17 year olds can be signed off to climb on their own. There is a junior club too if they catch the bug.
That is the whole of it.
Book an induction and you can climb here whenever you like, on your own, from then on.