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Gate Way Course: Beginner

Beginners Rope Skills Course

This is the perfect course if you and your friends want to start using ropes to climb without supervision.

Suitable for both complete beginners and those whose skills are a little bit rusty.

Learn everything you need to register for unsupervised top-rope climbing!

Outcomes

  1. Learn to tie in using a safe climbing knot ✅
  2. Fit a climbing harness correctly ✅
  3. Learn to belay, hold a falling climber & lower off safely ✅
  4. Introduction to safe bouldering practice & safe use of the Auto-Belay ✅
  5. Register for unsupervised roped climbing * ✅
  6. Registered adults can bring 1 or 2 guests (of any age) and supervise them while they climb ✅

Course Info

  • 6 hours over 2 days (3 hours per day)
    Every Tues + Thurs 6:30pm to 9:30pm
    Every Sat + Sun 10:30am to 1:30pm
  • £70 per person
  • Max 9 participants

Participants on the course will be belayed by other course participants.
Minimum age 14. Under 16s must be accompanied by a participating adult. Under 18s require signed parental consent.

Book your Beginners Rope Skills course:

* How to register for unsupervised roped climbing

Adults

After completing the Beginners Rope Skills course an adult can decide whether they are competent enough to register for unsupervised climbing.

If you are unsure of your skills we recommend talking to our staff so please get in touch with our reception team.

Under 18s

If you are Under 18 you must be assessed by one of our instructors before being approved to register for unsupervised climbing. After your course you must return within two weeks and complete a Junior Assessment with one of the floor walkers. This takes about 15 minutes and involves testing your climbing knowledge (including all safety checks) and belaying skills (including catching a falling climber).

Please note Under 18s cannot bring guests OR supervise other climbers.

Whilst anyone over the age of 14 can take the Beginners Rope Skills we would recommend Under 18s join our regular NICAS courses instead to develop their skills over time. Generally we find that younger climbers (under 18 years) will require additional sessions after the Beginners Rope Skills course to reinforce their knowledge before an instructor will assess them as proficient climbers.