Indoor climbing does involve reduced risk as the anchors and safety equipment (usually available for hire for a small fee) will be regularly checked. However, there remains the risk of failing to tie in properly, fasten the harness securely or for an absent minded belayer to fail to arrest a fall so so even indoors it is not 100% risk free.... risk is an inherent attraction of the sport but should be mitigated wherever possible through training and adequate equipment but at the end of the day anyone taking part in climbing must assume responsibility for themselves in what is essentially a dangerous sport.

Indoor walls are an excellent introduction and training ground and help reduce erosion on our precious outdoor crags, and make climbing an all-year sport regardless of weather.

Instruction is essential for a novice whether from a qualified instructor or competant climber. All climbing walls will insist you sign a waiver before using the facilities and will require that you know how to belay, tie in and fit a sit harness. These essential skills are easily learned in less than an hour.

Outdoor climbing is a completely different sport and requires a vastly greater degree of technical skill to safely set up the equipment even though the climbing itself requires the same physical skills as indoors. We are very happy to advise you about equipment but you should seek instruction from a qualified instructor as to how to use it properly.

Enjoy your climbing

Dean