The Rock Stars club is designed to introduce a wide range of skills which will enable young people to develop the necessary knowledge and techniques to be able to climb safely in an indoor environment.

To achieve this in the easiest and most complete way for you, we are accredited to provide NICAS training courses. These courses are designed to allow progression in a recorded scheme that gives certificates for each level of achievement.

Call to book on 01978 861912, a block of six 9- minute lessons costs £60pp. The next course will run on Tuesday nights from 6:30pm-8:00pm, starting on Tuesday 4th October (there will be a break over the half term holiday).

The skills learned will include

 - Warming up and down
- Fitting your own harness and helmet correctly
- Tying the rope into your harness correctly
- Tying a variety of climbing knots
- Loading a belay device correctly
- Belaying safely, either as part of a team or individually
- Climbing to the top of the wall using specified holds within your ability (for example for beginners this may be using any colour, once you have progressed further into the scheme it may be using a designated colour only)
- Bouldering within your ability
- Descending the wall correctly
- Understanding and observing wall safety rules and etiquette

The NICAS scheme has five levels, and we will be offering the first three levels based here at our wall:

Level 1: Foundation climber (6 hours approx minimum to complete - Directly supervised)

1. Content:

   1. Awareness of safety rules and hazards, appropriate dress and behavior

   2. Putting on a harness and helmet correctly

   3. Participate in warm ups

   4. Connecting harness to rope with a retied figure of 8 knot with stopper knot.

   5. Climbing a chosen route with confidence

   6. Safe belaying under supervision

   7. Correct method of descending by climber

   8. Basic climbing moves

2. Assessment criteria:

   1. Awareness of safety rules and hazards.

   2. Put on harness and helmet correctly.

   3. Tie a retied figure of eight knot with stopper knot.

   4. Climb a chosen route with confidence.

   5. Descend from a route correctly.

   6. Belay safely under supervision.

   7. Demonstrate consistent safe behaviour.

   8. Complete 10 climbs of any grade (rainbow).

   9. Complete 10 belays.

Level 2: Top rope climber (12 further hours approx minimum to complete - Directly supervised)

1. Content:

   1. Connecting self and others to rope with a retied figure of eight knot and stopper knot

   2. Pre-climb checks

   3. Belaying and lowering using a suitable belay device

   4. Ground anchor systems

   5. Holding a fall in a bottom rope situation (belayer on ground with rope passing through top anchor)

   6. Effective communication and teamwork with climbing partner

   7. Knowledge of indoor climbing (French sport) and bouldering grades

   8. Selection of appropriate routes

   9. Effective safe use of a bouldering/ traversing wall (if applicable)

   10. Simple climbing technique – the use of feet and legs, relaxed upright stance, confident approach, smooth movement and observation of holds.

2. Assessment criteria:

   1. Connect rope to harness with retied figure 8 and stopper knot consistently.

   2. Consistently performs pre-climb checks.

   3. Belays consistently correctly.

   4. Can safely hold a simple top rope fall.

   5. Lowers a climber consistently correctly.

   6. Communicates well with climber.

   7. Understanding of French sport grades and selection of appropriate routes.

   8. Safe and effective use of a bouldering/ traversing wall.

   9. Complete 25 set climbs of any grade.

   10. Complete 25 belays.

Level 3: Technical climber (24 hours approx minimum to complete - most unsupervised)

1. Content:

   1. Knowledge of different harness types, helmets, rock shoes and belay devices – including the ability to evaluate their condition and ensure appropriate care and maintenance.

   2. Knots – figure of eight on the bight, clove hitch, overhand.

   3. Belaying using a variety of devices and choice of appropriate device.

   4. Knowledge of a wide range of appropriate climbing techniques

   5. Principles of good climbing movement

   6. The structure of a climbing session – warming up exercises, stretching, gentle climbing, peaking, warming down, rest

   7. Climbing websites, literature, magazines and films

2. Assessment criteria:

   1. Complete a minimum of 30 further logged top rope climbs.

   2. Demonstrate progression of at least one full grade on top roped climbs.

   3. Have knowledge of and demonstrate the use of different belay devices

   4. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of basic indoor climbing equipment

   5. Demonstrate and explain 5 warming up exercises

   6. Complete a minimum of 20 boulder problems demonstrating improvement.

   7. Demonstrate and explain 5 different climbing techniques.

   8. Tie figure 8 on the bight, overhand knot and clove hitch

   9. Watch and describe a climbing film/video.

   10. Visit two climbing related websites and retrieve requested information.

Each child will receive a log-book and set of record sheets, and at the end of each session their instructor will tick off on the relevant record sheet those elements which the child has completed during the session. Once the record sheet for a level is complete then you get a NICAS certificate and can progress to the next level.



Call us to book now on 01978 861912,

For adult courses and accompanied young people click here

If you have a group of four or more children then we can also schedule Rock Stars sessions on dates and times to suit you – please contact us for more information.