Bloc Climbing Bristol – Review
Posted on: 2016-12-07
Our rating:
One thing that we both noticed as we walked around Bloc was the real social connection throughout the centre. Something that was instilled from the staff and everyone else who was bouldering.
I have always thought that I was quite an active, fit kind of person whilst I have been living in Bristol. This notion of my fitness however was very much questioned when I headed over to Bloc Climbing in St Werburghs and proceeded to give bouldering a go for the first time. I will say it now; this is without a doubt one of the hardest things I have attempted in a long time. Using muscles I forgot existed the small amount of exercise really gave me a new found respect for free-climbers.
Walking into the huge, open-plan bouldering centre, I was immediately taken back by the amount of people using Bloc Climbing. For a Wednesday evening the venue was packed with, what appeared to be, a varying degree of climbers. We went to the front desk and were warmly welcomed and given instructions on the correct shoes to wear, what forms we needed to sign and given our membership cards.
I went for my first experience with a friend who had a relatively decent amount of climbing experience but hadn’t been in a few years so wanted to get back into the sport. We proceeded to get changed and after had a quick run through of some of the basic rules and what the documents we had signed really entailed our instructor Emily started our 45-minute induction. I must also point out, an impressive part of Bloc Climbing was the café and waiting area for anyone who wasn’t climbing. It was filled with anything you could want and appeared to make the whole place a lot more sociable.
The induction began with some of the basics of the centre. We were shown the different grades of climb throughout the space. Special colours on the walls, couple with coloured nails allowed us to see the route you were meant to take. After a quick stretch of the old hamstrings, I went up the easiest route. Feeling pretty confident after both of us got to the top and doing everything Emily had said, we moved on to some of the harder routes.
This is where I started to struggle. When I knew I was going bouldering I thought I would have an advantage as I sit at a lofty 6ft5. Apparently being tall does not matter when it comes to this sport. When we started trying to go on to some of the more difficult routes, I really started to notice the muscles I was using. My forearms started to ache, and my legs started to strain as I attempted some of the walls. Whilst I struggled, my friend was fine with it all and continued to tackle the rest of the walls with ease. There was even a 15-year-old girl absolutely nailing some of the hardest routes! This made me panting on the floor after 30 minutes even worse!
After finishing off our induction in a really professional and confident manner we were left to our own devices and told to get cracking. We decided to explore and keep on trying some of the harder routes. We also explored the other wall, which was hidden away next door in the children’s play centre Clip and Climb. We were told this was there for any adults who wanted to give bouldering a go whilst their kids played in Clip and Climb. A very nice and thought-out touch if you ask me.
Another 20 minutes or so of climbing and I was beaten. My fingers felt blistered, my forearms were apparently made out of lead and my hamstrings may as well have been non-existent. I say this, although as soon as we were finished both of us really wanted to come back and give it another go! Signing up only cost £5 and shoe rental another £3. Once signed up as a member you can come back anytime and use the facilities at a cost £6.50 (off peak) and £8.50 (on peak). You are also entitled to bring two friends with you when you become a member, which was a nice added bonus.
One thing that we both noticed as we walked around Bloc was the real social connection and throughout the centre. Something that was instilled from the staff and everyone else who was bouldering. That to me was the reason I would like to go back, to get into a sport that seems very inclusive of beginners and people with more experience a like is definitely something worth coming back to.
I really do have to recommend heading on down to Bloc Climbing for a great workout, attentive, professional staff and a social environment. Check out their Facebook for any further information on events.
Article by:
Matt, originally from Belfast, has only lived in Bristol for a year now and is studying Media & Journalism at UWE. He wants to concentrate his writing and media skills in Bristol's culinary culture, delving into what fine feasts the city has to offer and where the best places to go for food really are. Along with an aspiration to interview some of the influential people shaping Bristol and some who are simply passing through, Matt really is trying to make Bristol his new home! For any other info check out his Facebook or Twitter.
