By far one of the most popular myths is that you need strong arms in order to climb. While arm strength can certainly help on some routes, like steep overhangs, climbing is definitely a sport that works your whole body! It’s a great sport for developing core strength and flexibility. However, like most sports, developing the correct technique is key.

While you’re climbing, experiment with shifting your body position to rely more on your leg strength on the holds. You’ll find this reduces the strain on your arms and improves your stamina, helping you climb for longer. Of course, with practise over time, the strength in all your muscle groups will develop too!

Bouldering (climbing without ropes) is typically done at lower heights. Our bouldering gym is 3.8m tall, compared to 7.5m for our roped routes. The height can definitely be intimidating at first, however you can practise your technique by traversing when the centre is quieter. This is when you pick a height and climb sideways instead of up!

It’s also important to learn how to fall correctly, to avoid injury while you’re climbing. Fortunately our bouldering gym floor is made from impact matting and our team will also show you how to climb down and fall safely.

It can be tricky to find people to climb with at first, especially if you don’t know any climbers through friends or family. Fortunately, climbers at The Tide are incredibly supportive, welcoming and friendly. Chances are you’ll probably meet some of our members and regular climbers when you visit. We also have a dedicated Facebook Group designed to help climbers connect and get to know one another.

We also have plenty of climbers who visit us on their own! Fortunately, if you’re bouldering, you won’t need a climbing partner to work with you. We also have a couple of auto belays in the rope climbing section, so you can climb without a belay partner if you prefer. Our team also host a range of events and socials throughout the year, designed to help The Tide Climbers meet and get to know one another.

Climbing can be a difficult sport to get into, as you need some specialist equipment – particularly when rock climbing outdoors.

Fortunately at The Tide we have a wide range of climbing equipment you can hire. From climbing shoes to harnesses and even liquid chalk. This means you don’t have to invest in gear before you’ve caught the climbing bug. Our team are also trained in fitting our Boreal climbing shoes, which are available from the centre shop. They can also advise you on what equipment you need to invest in, depending on your climbing experience and goals.

At The Tide Climbing Centre you’ll find 100+ different bouldering problems to try out. We ensure there are plenty of routes for climbers of all abilities to enjoy. You’ll also find our grade guides dotted around the centre for reference, so you can choose a problem that works for you. As with many sports and physical activities, the more you practise the more your technique and experience will improve. We’re sure you’ll soon be sending routes you initially thought were too advanced in no time!