Bouldering
What is Bouldering?
Bouldering is rock climbing close to the ground without the need for a rope or harness. It can be done indoors or out and all you need is a pair of climbing shoes, some chalk, and a big foam crash pad. Literally climbing on a boulder instead of on a rock face or cliff.
It started pretty organically when climbers tired of waiting for a partner wanted to practice their skills. As it’s so easy to get a bunch of climbing in without much gear it’s become very popular for climbers and newbies alike.
Nowadays bouldering is essentially its own sport, with many dedicated boulderers who rarely touch a rope. Indoor bouldering gyms have brought it to the masses and the sport is rapidly becoming the next big fitness craze.
Find out more about bouldering here.
How To Start Bouldering?
Bouldering can be pretty scary when you've not done it before. However, things are much easier if you're in a safe and comfortable environment. Bouldering can appear daunting from a first-time perspective, but with a safe and comfortable environment, those concerns quickly dissipate. If you want advice on the best way to get started, then here are a few tips to follow:
- Get all your bouldering gear together: Make sure you have appropriate clothing and bouldering shoes. Also, buy some chalk to absorb sweat in the hands and give you more friction/grip - Shoes are the priority.
- Book a bouldering workshop: The best way to experience bouldering for the first time is through a workshop. Here, you'll learn all the basics about bouldering and the different climbing techniques involved. It's the best way to get started.
- Keep at it: The more you do it, the stronger and more efficient in the technique you'll become. Even if you find it hard, consistency and trying harder moves is what will improve your abilities further, and you'll be ticking off routes in no time!
How To Boulder Indoors?
The literal how to actually boulder goes like this: –
- Start on the lowest hand and foot holds – sometimes marked with tape, a colored bolt, or a grade
- Start with your feet off of the floor, without jumping to start (and skip a move)
- Use holds of just one color (or one color of tape), as well as the walls or corners
- You don’t need to use every hold and you can use them with your hands or feet.
- Climb to the top and touch both hands on the last hold – sometimes the top of the wall if marked
- Climb down using any color hold, just get down safe
- If you need to jump or fall – bend your knees, hands up in front of you, and watch your head
- Don’t jump away from the wall, spin, or put your hands behind you when coming off
That’s the basic rundown but it’s well worth taking a short introduction so you can practice with an instructor. Falling off safely is the biggest thing to learn and takes some time. Practice low falls and don’t be afraid to roll onto your butt and back when landing to absorb some of the falling force.