Beginners' guide to climbing walls

Posted by Rob Adie on 23/10/2010

Welcome to the BMC beginners' guide to climbing walls, showing you everything you need to know to get you through your first visit to your local climbing wall.

These short films take the novice climber through a step by step guide to visiting a climbing wall for the first time - starting from the second you walk in the door to putting on your harness, tying into a rope and doing your first climb!

Once you have mastered these skills, we will take you through climbing grades, different types of holds and how to use the bouldering wall safely.

The first two films deal with what you will have to do when you first arrive at the climbing wall and how to put on a harness. The follownig three cover tying in, doing your first climb, climbing grades, types of holds and using the bouldering wall.

If you are a parent, or a young person, you may also find our Young People booklet helpful.
 
Also check out this feature article on climbing walls for beginners.
 
Look out for more
The next series of BMC videos will cover common mistakes in climbing walls and will be released soon.

If you have any questions about any of the terms or practises used in the films please ask one of the instructors at your local climbing wall or drop us a line.


We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've launched a U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership


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Anonymous User
23/02/2012
no films loading up
26/02/2012
Apologies. I've relinked the first three films, and I'm trying to locate the last two. As soon as I've found them I'll relink them.

Cheers,
Chris
Anonymous User
18/04/2012
Part 1 and 2 videos are the same!
Anonymous User
06/06/2012
Are climbing walls obligated to assess a new climber before they start climbing?
Thank you

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