Bouldering Orientation SOP
Aspire 2.0 is bouldering focused with over 5,700sq/ft of terrain for all ability levels.
Who It’s For
Bouldering is the most accessible form of rock climbing as it requires minimal gear and instruction to get started. No ropes, no harness, just climbing shoes and go. It’s highly social and communal because everyone is positive and encouraging of one another, regardless of age or ability level.
A Sea of Colours
When you walk into the bouldering space, point out how the walls are a sea of colours. But each colour is a separate climb. (Point out) there’s a blue climb, a pink one, a yellow one…etc. Some of these climbs are super easy — while others are very hard.
What’s the “Problem”
Bouldering climbs are called “problems”, because they involve some creativity to solve them. With only 8-12 movements to complete the climb, we mark the start and finishes of the climb with tags to clearly show where they start, and where they end.
Boulder Tags
Walk them over to a sign that shows the boulder grades. The tags indicate the difficulty of the problem while showing where they start, and where they end. Starting at White as the easiest, then Yellow, Blue, Red, Green, Black, Orange… . The colours correspond to outdoor bouldering grades, starting at VB up to V10+. The tags colours consolidate grades to make it easier to distinguish different levels.
Getting Started
Walk up to a wall that offers a friendly white or yellow climb to get started. Show the start hand positions and how the tags may point to two holds or one. Get established on the wall and follow the same hold colour to get to the TOP. The climbs finish at the TOP hold, not the top o the wall. Easier climbs tend to have a lower finish to build confidence falling while more difficult climbs finish higher up. The climb is consider done when both hands touch the finish hold.
Getting Down/How to Fall
When the climber reaches the top or slips or fall at any point during the climb, it’s important to practice how to fall. Falling is part of bouldering but to mitigate injuries, we practice a Drop, Tuck and Roll.
Drop – Never push off the wall when falling, simply fall and land feet-first.
Tuck – Tuck the arms in – never brace a fall with the arms.
Roll – Roll away from the wall, never toward the wall.
The Risks
When dropping feet first, and compressing solely through the knees, there’s a risk of the climber’s knees hitting the face, nose, chin — they can bite a tongue or chip a tooth.
We tuck are arms in, never brace the wall with the arms to avoid injuring the wrist, elbow, shoulder or collarbone.
We roll away from the wall, never toward the wall to avoid hitting your head.
The Drop, Tuck and Roll is a combined motion that requires practice to build confidence to climb harder and higher as you progress.
Downclimb Holds
Black and white downclimb holds are located near the tops of each area. These are there to make it easier to get down to a safe or comfortable falling height. They are not part of any specific climb.
Etiquette
When choosing a climb, ensure that the area is clear. Avoid climbs that cross another climber as these share falling zones.
When not on the wall, we stay off the mats. The padded floors are fall zones so we always keep fall zone clear.
Don’t stand, sit or keep your gear on the mats as this prevents climbers from getting on the walls. Use the provided benches to sit and store your gear.
Step off the mats to approach different climbs. Never walk across the mats to different areas.
Circuits
After demonstrating and having participants perform a practice fall, get them started on a circuit challenge. Complete every white problem around the gym first. They find some are easier than others. If they find them very easy, climb all the way up and all the way down. Once they complete a white circuit, move onto yellow. Progression through climbing is not linear, it ramps up as things get harder so by completing circuits, it builds movement, strength and confidence to progress as climbs get more difficult.
Fist Bumps!
Once the orientation is complete, first bumps all around as they set off on their circuits. Let them know your name and that if they have any questions, you’re happy to help!
Follow-Up
With every climber (group), try to do at least one follow-up during the visit to check-in and ask how they’re doing. This is a great opportunity to provide a simple tip or trick to help them unlock the thrill of bouldering and get them hooked on the sport, our staff/facility and community.