Bouldering in Sussex – where you can do it and why it is great for all ages

The Olympics is a chance to cheer on top-performing athletes representing their country, but it is also a time to inspire everyone to try something new.

For the second time in the Olympics, sport climbing has been included, and this year in Paris it is made up of two medal events – speed, and bouldering and lead combined.

Bouldering is held on a wall of about 4.5m high and has set problems (routes), to get to the top.

Although you climb without ropes, there are crash mats beneath to help cushion any landings.

Ben Read, owner of Volume 1 Climbing, in East Grinstead, said: “We really wanted to provide a centre that is accessible for everyone. Bouldering is great because it is so easy to get into. 

“You do not need to have any previous experience, there’s no ropes, no harnesses, people can just turn up and climb and it means we can open it to as many people as possible.

“Bouldering is not that expensive. You pay a day entry so you can turn up at 10am when we open and stay until 10pm, so it is a full-day activity if your arms can last that long, and we have hire shoes that are free on your first visit as well.”

The sport is also very intergenerational, with children and adults able to climb together.

“It is a sport that is good for all ages,” says Ben. “Being all in one space, it is not like in some sports when you have a specific adult zone and a specific kids zone. 

“It is in the same space, they can climb alongside each other and support each other in that way.”

Many home-educated children come along to Volume 1, with parents using it as a way to develop the child’s physical literacy

Mum Gemma Dean has been bringing her five-year-old son George since he was four as they wanted to find somewhere safe for him to climb rather than just around furniture at home.

“Being here provides a great environment to build his body confidence and his hand-eye-feet coordination,” she said.

“He is using all of his planning skills to map out routes and learn where his body can take him and his body awareness is so much better than lots of other children who don’t get that experience of real physical play. 

“I think it is really good for his mental health as well.”

Mental health is something that was mentioned by boulderer Andy Gillies.

Andy, who is now in his sixties, was diagnosed with MS when he was in his fifties.

Although he finds his legs ‘do not work as well as they used to’, it is his mental health that the condition has impacted the most at the moment.

“Mentally this condition has probably caused me more problems than the physical condition,” Andy explains. “It has been horrendous, whether that is the medication I am on I don’t know. 

“Coming here, when you walk out of that door you are on a high, you are focused, especially if you get up there quite high you have got to be focused.”

Andy was inspired to try the sport by his son, a keen boulderer.

“Having my son here, he has been an inspiration. He eggs me on, gives me pointers, and I watch him and think that’s where I want to be.

“It gives you a real buzz, especially when you have got a condition. I found with the condition it helps with everything, it helps the whole body.  

“Coming here exercising has definitely made a difference to my mobility.”

Sport Climbing takes place between August 5 to August 10 during Paris 2024 and Volume 1 Climbing is running Olympic special events for those wanting to give the sport a go.

Volume 1 Climbing is one of the employers taking part in the next Coach Core apprenticeship scheme. If you know someone who would like to apply for the apprenticeship find out more information here.

There are a number of climbing walls around Sussex – some of them are bouldering while others are clip n climb with ropes.

Here are some of the ones we found:

Volume 1 Climbing in East Grinstead – https://www.volume1climbing.co.uk/

The K2 in Crawley – https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/k2-crawley/k2-climbing-with-top-rock/

Boulder Brighton, Portslade – https://www.boulderbrighton.com/about

Claverham Community College, linked with Battle Sports Centre, Battle – https://www.battlesportscentre.com/

The Ordinary Climbers Gym in Polegate – https://www.theordinaryclimbers.com/

High Sports, Withdean Sports Complex, Brighton – https://www.high-sports.co.uk/

Clip n Climb at Out of Bounds, Rustington – https://out-of-bounds.co.uk/activity/clip-n-climb/

Climbing at the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre in Shoreham – https://adurcentre.org.uk/climbing

Clip ‘n Climb Crawley, Pease Pottage – https://crawley.clipnclimb.co.uk

Climb Bognor linked with Chichester College, The Arena Sports Centre, Bognor Regis – https://www.chichester.ac.uk/public-facilities/the-sports-centre/climb-bognor/

Clip n climb – at The Bridge Leisure Centre, Broadbridge Heath – https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/the-bridge-leisure-centre/centre-activities/climbing/