Up Climbing is a great place for some family fun whether it’s taking on the high walls or watching your toddler tackle a climb for the first time. The beauty of climbing is that it is suitable for everyone, you can feel it working your arms (and fingertips!) but you don’t need to be fit to give it a go.
Location
The climbing centre is situated in The Galaad Chapel in the North West of the Island, only a few minutes drive inland from Grandes Rocques beach. It is easy to spot whilst driving down Rue de Galaad as there are large coloured flags outside. There are a few car parking spaces outside the chapel and extra parking opposite.
The reception desk sits to the left of the entrance, which doubles as a little shop with drinks and healthy snacks to purchase. When walking inside the main room you are instantly struck by how vibrant the place is. To the left there is the bouldering wall with a very spongy floor, ahead are the impressive high walls, and to the right is the traverse walls with sofas and a bench next to it for those spectating or having a break.
Climbing Options
Traverse Walls
The traverse walls, on the right-hand side, are great for warming up and for practising technique. There are no routes on these walls, making them great for footwork and coordination, and as kids can climb them quite easily, it’s a great way to build their confidence, making them ready for the bigger walls after a few goes.
Bouldering Wall
The bouldering wall, on the left-hand side, is a big step-up from the traverse wall due to it’s height and complexity with different coloured route options. During an induction the instructors will talk climbers through the safety aspects of climbing this wall, for example, how to land safety when jumping from the wall, and about the different coloured hand holds offering climbs with different difficulties.
In Instructor Led Sessions, kids are each given coloured routes to follow, which adds lots of excitement for kids as they seek out the correct coloured hand and foot holds. In order to ensure children are safe in parent supervised sessions, parents can only supervise 1 child climbing on the bouldering wall at any time, in order to be ready to catch them if they fall off (or launch themselves off!).
High Walls
The large climbing walls at the back of the hall require harnesses and ropes due to the height of the climbs. They have a large selection of kids and adults harnesses, which climbers are shown how to put on during an induction.
During an Instructor Led Session, the instructors show how they attach the harness to the wire (auto belay) and explain to the kids how to get down safely from the climb. To start with they only climb a little way and follow the instructions to stick their bum out, let go with their hands and walk their feet down the wall. Once they have shown the instructor they can descend safely, they are free to climb.
Note that 16/17 year olds can be signed off for independent climbing at the instructors’ discretion after demonstrating responsible/ safe climbing.
Once kids have mastered the front wall, they move onto the side walls which offer really tricky route options and the height is on a completely different level. The instructors are very encouraging, and help kids who are nervous.
Benefits of Climbing
Climbing is great fun and a brilliant strength workout however, it’s surprising just how beneficial climbing is. Shorter climbs are all about power, while longer climbs enable you to work on your stamina. You need to concentrate on each move while you climb, which makes it a ‘mindful’ workout as well as helping you build problem-solving skills. It also helps to develop hand eye co-ordination and improve core stability. Who knew!
Sessions on Offer
Parent Led Sessions
Once parents have completed an induction they can supervise children on the climbing walls. Adult £12, child £10 for up to 3hrs climbing, includes shoes and harnesses.
Instructor Led Sessions
Kids climb under instructor supervision for either an hour for £12.50 or for a 2-hour Mega Session costing £23. Parents of children 6yrs+ do not need to remain at Up Climbing during the session.
Toddler Sessions (2yrs+)
These sessions are a great way to support a love of climbing and movement whilst stealthily developing a number of areas including core stability and strength, hand/eye/foot co-ordination and fine and gross motor skills and more! £7.50 per session. CLICK HERE for more information.
Adult Inductions
Every adult (and teenagers 16+) need to complete an induction session in order to use the walls. The Induction lasts 20-30 minutes and is with an instructor (the duration will depend on your previous climbing experience). The instructor runs through the safety essentials for using the walls as well as some climbing tips to get you started. You are then able to continue climbing, for a total (includes induction) climb time of up to 3 hours. Induction costs £13 per adult. Children are able to do the induction session with their parents. CLICK HERE for more information.
Children’s Climbing Club (4yrs+)
Climbing clubs are aimed at improving climbing skills and techniques whilst having fun, with the option of working towards NICAS Awards. £12.50 per session based on a 12 or 14 week block. CLICK HERE to visit the Up Climbing Climbing Club page for more info.
Holiday Club (4yrs+)
Up Climbing’s popular holiday club includes Craft & Climb sessions with Iris & Dora for kids 4yrs+ where kids get the unique chance to climb and enjoy crafts (CLICK HERE to download a pdf of the summer schedule of sessions). Along with 2-day and 3-day Climbing Camps for children from 6yrs+. CLICK HERE to visit the Up Climbing Holiday Club page.
Birthday Parties (4yrs+)
Up Climbing offers very popular kids birthday parties consisting of using the climbing walls, playing wall and floor games and enjoying time in the party room for food and cake. CLICK HERE to visit the Up Climbing party page for more info.
Useful Info
Address: Up Climbing Guernsey, The Galaad Chapel, Rue de Galaad, Guernsey, GY5 7FJ.
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am to 8:30pm. Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 6:30pm
Contact Details: email info@upclimbing.gg or ring 01484 255799.
Website: upclimbing.gg/
Social: Up Climbing Facebook Page
