Climbing courses

We offer a wide variety of courses for adults and families. Total beginners should choose from either our tasters which give you a chance to try the sport and see what its all about, our beginners courses where you will learn the skills you need to become an independent climber on our recreational sessions, or even one of our real rock days, where you can learn the ropes in the great outdoors. If you have climbed before you can learn to lead, improve your climbing ability on our coaching clinics or just refresh your memory of the basic safety skills before coming recreational climbing. Alternatively you can broaden your horizons on our real rock courses. Many of our courses are nominated 'Family' courses which are open to youngsters of 12 years upwards with an accompanying adult on the course, or 16 or 17 year olds on their own. We also run a range of courses just for young people.

Climbing Taster Sessions

This fun short session for those who wish to have a go to see what the sport is all about. You will get a chance to scale our roped walls, belay - hold the ropes for other course members and have a try on our bouldering wall - a short wall with mats underneath, climbed without ropes. All under the expert tuition of one of our experienced instructors. All specialist equipment provided.

7pm - 8.30pm	£23
2 July	RCT 7	Family
7 August	RCT 8	Family
3 September	RCT 9	Family

Family and Young People Courses

Courses marked Family are open to youngsters of 12 upwards with an accompanying adult or 16 and 17 year olds on their own.

12-15 year olds must be accompanied by an adult on the course

Learn to climb

By far our most popular climbing course and an excellent way to learn the basics of this exciting sport. Our experienced instructors will give you instruction on general climbing safety, belaying your climbing partner, knots, rope work and safe use of climbing equipment, together with lots of practical climbing enabling you to become a competent top rope climber.

Having completed this course, most participantsaged 16 years and above should be able to pass the assessment required to use the wall during the recreational sessions.

Under 16’s will be able to climb with their parents on the family climbing sessions on Saturdays and/or join the level 2 NICAS course in our Limpets climbing club.

One years membership of the wall is included for adult participants (normal entry fees apply). All specialist equipment provided.

Alternatively you could learn to climb on our Touching Stone Courses.

Two evenings	7pm-10pm	£85 (and under 18 on Family courses) 12–15 year olds must be accompanied by an adult on the course
4, 11 June	RCBE 7
26 June, 3 July	RCBE 8	Family
17, 24 July	RCBE 9
13, 20 Aug	RCBE 10	Family
11, 18 Sept	RCBE 11

One day	9.30am-4.30pm	£90 (and under 18 on Family courses, lunch included) 12–15 year olds must be accompanied by an adult on the course
26 May	RCBD 7	Family
15 June	RCBD 8
7 July	RCBD 9	Family
3 August	RCBD 10
25 August	RCBD 11	Family
14 September	RCBD 12	Family

On Real Rock

Touching Stone

An Introduction to Real Rock.
These are ideal for total beginners and indoor wall climbers your opportunity to have your first go at climbing on real rock at Portland. Following a similar format to the climbing wall courses, climbing will be on top ropes set up by your instructor. Instruction, minibus transport from Calshot and specialist equipment included. You will need a packed lunch and drinks for this trip.

8.30am-6.30pm	Cost £95
20 July	RRD 3	Family
21 September	RRD 4	Family

Moving Outside

Independent climbing on Real Rock.
This course is for experienced indoor lead climbers looking to start climbing on real rock by themselves. We will teach you the safety skills needed to move outside on to real rock climbs. Topics covered include route finding, setting up top ropes, sport climbing, placing traditional protection, setting up belays. Instruction, minibus transport from Calshot and specialist equipment included.

8.30am-6.30pm	£136 Adults only
21 July	RRS 2
22 September	RRS 3

Climbing Refresher Course

For those with previous experience of climbing wishing to update their knowledge before taking the assessment for recreational climbing. Adults only

7pm-8.30pm	£23
5 June	RCR 6
2 July	RCR 7
7 August	RCR 8
3 September	RCR 9

Techniques and Movement Clinic

Struggling to move up a grade? Then this is the course for you. Based on the bouldering and traversing walls. Your instructor will give you practical tips and exercises which will help you improve your climbing, enabling you to climb harder with less effort.

7pm-9pm	£38
New dates will be announced shortly

Indoor Leading

This course covers the basic skills needed to move from top roping to leading indoors. Subjects covered include clipping the rope, lead belaying, equipment and climbing technique. 1:6 ratio

7pm-10pm	£50 Adults
10 July	RCLE 4
10 September	RCLE 5

Lead Climbing Clinic

For lead climbers who are struggling to get their leading grade close to their top roping grade, are concerned about taking lead falls or are just wanting some top tips on improving their climbing at the sharp end of the rope. We will look at efficient clipping, resting, taking & holding falls and some simple exercises to improve your confidence. 1:6 ratio

7pm-10pm	£48 Adults
New dates will be announced shortly

Climbing Clinics NEW

These clinics provide coaching in small groups to improve one aspect of your climbing. Each month will concentrate on a different climbing technique. Your coach will analyze your current climbing skills and give you top tips and exercises which will help you to improve your climbing.

Tuesdays	7pm-9pm	£34 Adults only
25 June	Steep ground techniques
30 July	Training for climbing
27 August	Footwork
24 September	Falling

Personal Coaching and Private Tuition

With this bespoke service we can tailor a coaching or instruction session just for you. Coaching input can range from developing a personalised training plan to a specific coaching session in a particular climbing technique. Instruction can vary from improvised rescue to multi-pitch climbing. The options are endless.

These courses are normally best suited to individuals or small groups. Sessions length can vary from 45 minutes to a whole day or a series of weekly sessions. Instruction can take place at the climbing wall or on real rock.

Please contact us on 02380 892077 to discuss your requirements.

1 person
45 minutes	£50
1.5 hours	£80
3 hours	£150
6 hours	£260 (includes lunch)

Additional person(s) 50% extra, for 3 or more enquire about our group rates

Specialist courses and private tuition

We are able to offer a wide range of climbing tuition as specialist courses or private tuition, either at the climbing wall or on real rock. These courses are tailor made to your requirements and group size and can cover any aspect of climbing, from improvised rescue to multi pitch techniques.

Contact Jon Wilson, Climbing Wall Manager or Mike Jones, Landsports Manager, tel 02380 892077 to discuss your requirements.

Private Tuition: Fast-track your personal performance via private tuition.

1 person
45 minutes	£50
1.5 hrs	£80
3 hrs	£150
6 hrs	£260	(includes lunch)
Second person	50 % extra	for 3 or more enquire about our group rates