Boulder Club & School’s Info Pack 2012

“It’s the best climbing wall I’ve ever been to... I wish this was [in Glasgow] when I started climbing”

Dave MacLeod, Britain’s Top Professional Rock Climber

Boulder Club : A Progressive Course for Young People Aged 8 - 16

The Climbing Academy (TCA) would like to make you aware of our new bouldering courses for young people between the ages of 8 and 16.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing done on low-level walls above crash mats, without the need for ropes or harnesses. It is a great physical and mental challenge and is a rewarding alternative to mainstream sports and is an activity suitable for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and other similar youth schemes.

The modular system used in Boulder Club has been developed by TCA in a similar fashion to the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) for roped climbing (www.nicas.co.uk), which is recognised by climbing’s national governing bodies the BMC (www.thebmc.co.uk) and MCofS (www.mcofs.org.uk). Our bouldering syllabus forms the kernel around which the soon to be unveiled National Indoor Bouldering Award Scheme (NIBAS) is based. The MCofS are also in discussion with the SQA regarding the NIBAS scheme being worth SQA points and when it is launched TCA will be ready to offer this award.

There are two ways to access Boulder Club: a group booking made by appointment, or timetabled sessions for individuals. The following pages give some more detail on the varying levels. Costs are for individuals only and are there as a guide. Prices are negotiable for larger groups and block bookings.

Contact detailsThe Climbing Academy, 124 Portman Street, Glasgow, G41 1EJ0141 429 6331http://www.tca-glasgow.com/youth-bouldering/alan@theclimbingacademy.com

Course Outline

From the beginner Taster session right up to our squad who compete at national level, these courses will help young people develop their climbing at their own pace, with the guidance of an instructor. We provide a logbook to record their achievements, and certificates as they progress through the levels. All in all, it provides a great environment in which to learn to climb whilst having fun with a group of friends. For those of 14 years and over the club can lead to independent membership of the centre through our parental consent scheme.

Taster (Age 8 - 16)

A one-off session to give a taste of what bouldering at TCA is all about. It’s mentally and physically challenging and a great opportunity to socialise outside of school.

1 hour session - £5 per head

Level 1 - Intro (Age 8 - 16)

This is the first real step towards becoming a climber. The focus is on safety, basic terminology and the techniques needed to really get going.

Minimum number of sessions to complete = 2 Minimum booking of 2 sessions – £10

Level 2 - Basic (Age 8 - 16)

This course works towards a higher level of climbing and an understanding of that on a technical level. By now the participants will be climbing on steeper sections of the wall and starting to challenge themselves. There is no time restraint on this course.

Minimum number of sessions to complete = 4Minimum booking of 4 sessions - Cost £30

Leads to unsupervised* junior membership (14-16yrs only*)

Level 3 – Advanced (Age 10 - 16)

This course starts to get more challenging and can take longer to complete. Again, there’s no time restraint. The young climber will soon be moving smoothly over the problems using good technique as well as strength and will be learning more about training for climbing.

Minimum number of sessions to complete level 3 = 20Minimum booking of 4 sessions – Cost £30

Leads to Squad selection/unsupervised* junior membership (14-16yrs only*)

Level 4 & 5 - TCA SQUAD (Age 10 - 16)

Incorporating competitions and outdoor bouldering

To join our squad you have to be keen and attend the trials that are held yearly. At this level you’ll depend a lot less on the coaching staff, relying on your own motivation and commitment (though you will be coached by some of the UK’s best climbers).

With some of the most talented young climbers in Scotland potentially involved, it will be something to work towards and aspire to. Members must be committed boulderers and are expected to attend at least 2 sessions per week. Outdoor trips and climbing competitions will also be attended with opportunities to meet up with the TCA Bristol Squad.

Minimum number of sessions to complete level 4 = 40Minimum number of sessions to complete level 5 = 80 (1 year)

Minimum booking of 1 term - Cost £90 to be paid by Direct Debit

Also Available For Schools & Youth GroupsFree* induction sessions for school teachers

TCA is offering free induction sessions to all school teaching staff. An induction session is obligatory for those who have not climbed before, but wish to use The Climbing Academy bouldering facilities unsupervised. In this session, one of our qualified instructors will teach you how to use our centre safely. If you ever wanted to try bouldering than this is your chance.

Please contact alan@theclimbingacademy.com for further details or to book

*subject to availability, does not include membership fee.

TCA Site Specific Award

Why not become a bouldering coach? This award is aimed primarily at teachers, leaders and youth workers. Bouldering is not restrained by the essential experience and technical know how of roped climbing. With as little as a 6 hour course and 2 hour assessment, you can supervise your own group dramatically reducing the cost of a bouldering session to your school or youth group.

Cost: £130 for training and assessment.

West of Scotland School’s Bouldering League

TCA Bristol runs a very successful school’s climbing competition which will also be launched in Glasgow in Autumn 2012. This team competition encourages competitors to use the skills they have learned in climbing at TCA to help one another complete a number of challenging climbs, scoring points for their school team with the possibility of winning a prize.

This is a great way for new climbers to learn about climbing competitions and for some will be a first stepping stone to the Scottish Schools Climbing Championships, Scottish Youth Climbing Championships and beyond.

With climbing in line to become an Olympic sport in 2016 or 2020 perhaps a future Olympic Champion will start their competition careers in a TCA school’s competition.

About TCA GlasgowHaving established the first TCA bouldering wall in Bristol, Directors Rich Emerson and Paul Twomey have expanded operations to Glasgow in a way that takes the bouldering experience to another level.

With over 1100 sq m of climbing surface incorporating a huge variety of shapes and angles, TCA Glasgow is a world class dedicated bouldering facility.

Housed in the the old print works of the News International building in Kinning Park, just off the M8, TCA Glasgow provides everyone the opportunity to take up bouldering or progress their climbing to new levels in a welcoming relaxing atmosphere where you can also enjoy a great cup of coffee and a bite to eat.

Opening Times

Mon - Fri: 12pm-10pm*Sat - Sun: 10am-6pm

*Earlier weekday group times available by appointment.

Images: Will Carroll (www.io-photography.co.uk) & Jen Randall (http://www.jenrandall.co.uk/JenRandall/Home.html)