The HASSRA Leeds Climbing Club was
started in 2008 with the aim of encouraging HASSRA members who have not climbed
before to try out the sport. The club now has over 30 members and in 2009 we’ve
continued to support new climbers, whilst encouraging those comfortable with
indoor climbing to experience climbing outside. The club has also attracted a
number of more experienced members who HASSRA has supported in their more
adventurous activities.
Beginners
During 2009 the club arranged climbing
taster sessions for 14 people, 7 of who went on to complete a beginners
climbing course at Leeds Wall. The club hopes to arrange similar beginners
sessions next year to help anyone interested in climbing to take their first
steps into the sport.
We have continued to support those who
began climbing with the club in 2008 by subsidizing the costs of indoor
climbing for all club members and setting up regular after-work climbing
sessions at Leeds Wall.
Moving-out
A number of more adventurous members
have moved onto climbing outdoors. The club organized two ‘Wall-to-Rock’
sessions in May and June, run by a qualified Leeds Wall instructor. This
enabled climbers who have experienced climbing indoors to try climbing outside
at Stanage Edge in the Peak District.
Being exposed to the elements pushes
the climbing adrenalin-rush up to the next level and was met with mixed
reactions. Whilst some adventurers relished the freedom provided by the extra
grip of the grit-stone surface, others decided they preferred the wind-free
indoor wall.
Experienced climbers
The club now has a number of
experienced climbers who have been supported by HASSRA to continue with their
climbing pursuits.
In October three club members attended
an outdoor climbing weekend at the Plas-y-Brenin climbing centre in North
Wales.
This not only gave indoor climbers the
chance to try outdoor climbing in the beautiful Snowdonian National Park, but
also gave instruction on how to set-up ropes.
Our arguablely most fearless member has
taken the sport to the extreme this year with an ice-climbing trip to
Switzerland!
Club Activities next year
As well as more beginners activities we
are hoping to organize a couple of day trips led by more experienced club
members. In preparation for this 8 people have already taken a specialized
outdoor pursuits first-aid course.
We would also like to arrange a lead
climbing course at Leeds Wall to enable those with more experience to move
their climbing skills onto the next level.
Following on from the success of the
clubs climbing endeavors, we are hoping to expand to cover more outdoor
pursuits such as mountain biking and surfing. More information about the club
can be found on our website:
http://sites.google.com/site/clubinfohlcc/
Written by Melanie Bowden
Club Secretary