Climbing:Layout 1 01/07/2009 16:33 Page 40
sport & leisure
ise UK.
e-Pr
Entr
tesy of
Photos cour
precarious setting, do not carry across to Climbing is now regularly used as a form
the climbing wall environment. The British of learning outside the classroom and for
Mountaineering Council's Climbing Wall non-formal education, team building and
Manual records that there are fewer personal development. However to achieve
than 30 major injuries recorded over a the potential benefits of a climbing wall,
three year period. However, for the the design of the wall must reflect the
climbing wall manager there are a number needs of the intended user groups.
of risks associated with running a If a wall in intended to be used by users
climbing wall, particularly where there is a over a short period, perhaps on a week
mix of user groups and a combination of long residential course with a low revisit
instructed and unsupervised use. These rate then a design of a largely fixed wall
range from minor thefts of other users might be appropriate. However, if the wall
possessions or equipment from the wall is designed to be used by groups over a
through to users taking improper risks, sustained period of time with a high re-
Getting started
for example by climbing without ropes visit rate then the reverse would be true
when ropes are needed. and the better design would be one which
A school traverse wall can be installed
The design and location of the wall can was highly flexible, allowing new routes to
from as little as £1,500; free standing
either ameliorate these risks or be reset to present new challenges and
boulders from about £3,000
exacerbate them, says the Climbing Wall keep the users interested.
Manufacturers Association. For example,
The Climbing Wall Award, which is
if the wall is in direct sight of the
designed to allow those not experienced
reception desk then users misusing the
in climbing and rope work to manage a
facility can be challenged whereas if the
www.beaconclimbing.com
group, costs in the region of £200, route
wall is out of sight, then in the absence
setting courses around £300 (plus VAT).
of CCTV and all the attendant issues that
www.drclimbingwalls.com
The number of installations in schools
that may arise, there is little chance of
has almost doubled over the past two
intervening in improper behaviour and so
managing the risk.
www.ep-uk.com
years in part due to the application of
the new content in Key Stage 2.
Climbing walls present a major
opportunity to bring innovation to a www.links-ssp.co.uk
sports build and extend the reach of the
facilities to a wider community than
www.rockworks.co.uk
traditional facilities, says the Association.
40 edbmagazine.co.uk
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