Climbing and video project with The Aim High Group and The Crammy Boys

We Met up with Cliff in the Belford Coop carpark where he introduced himself to the group, explained all about what was and was not acceptable with regards to health and safety issues and climbing. The youngsters understood this. Everyone was given the equipment they needed, even extra jackets were provided, as the weather was not too good to start with.

Up at the crag (Bowden Doors) the young people were eager to start climbing as they had not climbed outdoors on real rock before. First off, they had to do the warms up, which Cliff delivered in a fun way in which the young people wanted to participate. Once the young people started to climb, Cliff encouraged the entire group to have a go. However, in our group, we had one young person that felt they did not want to climb as they had done too much during the days before this trip, but with a little encouragement from both Cliff and other staff members (me n Maggie), they had a go and totally enjoyed it.

Part of this trip was a video project which the youngsters had organised themselves.  This was looking at taking risks but in a controlled way. Chris, the camera guy, helped everyone feel at ease in front of the camera and did individual interviews with everyone.

The banter between the group and Cliff was great as the young people felt relaxed around him.

Sue Barnard - Youth Worker Cramlington Youth Service

Over all the day was a great success and all involved in it had a great time.



Maggie preparing for battle



Hands up baby hands up

Cool Calm and collected!



ROXCOOL 2011 Dates for CWA, CWLA, SPA and Multi Pitch Rock

ROXCOOL 2011 Planned Award Based Courses

Climbing Wall Award - CWA

Basic Training:

• 7, 8 and 9 March - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 11, 12, and 13 April - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 9, 10 and11 May - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 23 and 25 May – (day) Sunderland (closed course)

• 13,14 and 15 June - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 8, 9 and 10 August - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 29, 30 and 31 August - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 26, 27 and 28 September - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 24, 25 and 26 October - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 21, 22 and 23 November - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

• 12, 13 and 14 December - (evenings) Sunderland/Middlesbrough

Assessment:

• 26 March (all day) – Sunderland

• 16 April (all day) – Sunderland

• 16 and 17 May (evenings) – Sunderland

• 16 and 17 June (evenings) – Sunderland

• 1 and 2 September evenings – Sunderland

• 22 October (all day) – Sunderland

• 10 and 11 November (evenings) – Sunderland

• 8 and 9 December (evenings) – Sunderland

Abseil module training

• 15 March - (evening) Sunderland

• 26 April - (evening) Sunderland

• 7 June - (evening) Sunderland

• 6 September - (evening) Sunderland

• 24 November - (evening) Sunderland

Abseil module Assessment

By arrangement

Climbing Wall Leading Award (CWLA) Training

• 21 and 22 March - (evenings) Sunderland

• 2 July - (all day) Sunderland

• 8 October - (all day) Sunderland

Climbing Wall Leading Award (CWLA Assessment

• 27 March - (all day) Sunderland

• 18 June - (all day) Sunderland

• 9 October - (all day) Sunderland

Single Pitch Award - SPA

Training:

• 11-13 March - North East

• 29 April - 1 May - North East

• 27 - 29 May – North East

• 24-26 June - North East

• 22-24 Aug – North East

• 23-25 Sept - North East

• 28-30 Oct - North East

• 25-26 Nov – North East

• 16-18 Dec – North East

Assessment:

• 19 & 20 March – North East

• 2 & 3 April – North East

• 14 & 15 May - North East

• 20 &21 Aug - North East

• 17 & 18 Sept - North East

• 15 &16 Oct - North East

• 12 & 13 Nov – North East

• 10 & 11 Dec – North East

Multi pitch Rock Climbing Course (Based in Lake District)

• 23 & 24 April – Lake District

• 4 & 5 June – Lake District

• 13 & 14 August – Lake District

• 3 & 4 September – Lake District

• 1 & 2 October – Lake District

AMI AGM Glenmore Lodge - Cairngormsn

The AGM was well turned out and many made the long drive from south of the border, myself included, to Glenmore Lodge the National Mountain Centre based up in the Cairngorm National Park. 

A full workshop programme was organised by the committee and only a few had spaces left.  Most members had a very good informative day albeit a little short due to the AGM starting at 17.30.

The main item on the agender this year was whether we were going to adopt mandatory CPD in a bid to make the Association more professional.  The doubters had nothing to worry about as a majority voted the item in. 

The AGM was followed by Dinner and a Lecture by Nick Bullock.

Sunday pretty much the same....workshops, fun, learning and discussion....ok a bit of banter too :-)

All in all a very good weekend had by all.

'Learn to Climb' Group 1 week 2

Night two of the Northumbria University's 'Learn to Climb' course.  Tonight we continued the work on basic movement skills and belaying using the 'Bell Ringer' method. I use this method for the first two weeks of the programme so that the candidates can climb safely without really being taught how to belay.  It seems to work and the candidates certainly get enough climbing in to make them happy...if not completely knackered :-). 

 Straight arm traversing...one of the fundamentals for efficient climbing

 Kristy and Jahnese showing good style

 A little game to emphise the need for straight arms while climbing

 The 'Bell Ringer' belay method in operation

 Jahnese on the slab

 Cay on the exposed GRP wall

 Kristy cruising to the top

Cay following in Kristy's footsteps, hand holds and chalk marks ;-)

Evening 2 - CWA Training - Sunderland Wall

We were back at the Sunderland Wall again tonight for the second day of the CWA.  We looked at movement skills and centre of balance and ways to help improve and keep our clients happy.  This involved playing games and having a bit of fun.  All the exercises/games are designed to improve a particular aspect of a novices climbing, whether through climbing more efficiently, gaining strength or just improving technique generally.  I thinkk the 'Getting Dressed' exercise and the 'Amputee' game were by far the favourites.  Coaching was also a major component tonight and we looked at how as a coach we can use the mnemonics 'IDEAS' and 'EDICT' top help deliver little teaching sessions.

All in all a good night at a very busy Sunderland Wall

 Ruth getting to grips (or not) with centre of balance

 Sam demonstrating good straight arm technique...while 'Getting Dressed'

 Adam half way through getting the shorts on....nice face (AGAIN) Adam

 John showing everyone what they should be wearing down at the wall these days!

 Happy campers or better still......climbers :-)

CWA Training Course - Sunderland (Evening one)

Tonight was the first of a three evening Climbing Wall Award course and a full one to boot! Based out of the fantastic facility of Sunderland Wall the candidates were introduced to the rudiments of climbing instruction. Warm-up, tying in and belaying were all discussed in deatail. As well as this candidates were also asked to take falls while climbing and the belayer was asked to tie of the belay plate. All in all a good evening with an enthusiastic bunch. I'm looking forward to working with them all tomorrow night. :)



 Two of the ladies getting to grips with some unfamiliar belay devices

 Good belay demonstrations a basuc requirement for CWA

 Jennifer demonstrating one of the methods to tie off a belay plate

 Adam.....demonstrating....erh?????   Not so sure actually lol

Ruth trying another method for tying off a belay plate

Learn To Climb - Northumbria University (Thursday group)

Today was the start of another of the successful courses I've been running at the Northumbria University in Newcastle. The students attend five weeks two hours per week and at the finish are competent enough and armed with enough skills to climb at any wall in the country without supervision.


Today I introduced the students to the basics of climbing movement, and to some basic equipment and how it is to be used. The five candidates were very enthusiastic which made it a pleasure to be instructing them. It’s going to be nice to see how this lot progress over the next five weeks…I hope their arms are not too tired in the morning.

Anyone can join these courses (non-students included) simply by contacting the University’s Participation Sport Manager, Taryn Archbold. Cost is £35 for students who are non-members of the university and £50 for everyone else….not a bad deal considering.

Taryn’s contact details are as follows:

0191 243 7349

07500070942

taryn.archbold@northumbria.ac.uk
http://www.teamnorthumbria.com/

The Gang getting to grips with the basics of tying a Figure of 8 knot

 The 'Bell Ringer' Belay method is a great way to get everyone involved!

 Melissa showing how the New York girls do it with a smile

 Marina enjoying herself

 Sophie atentively being safegarded by Melissa

 Simon helping Maya with her knot....better luck next time eh Si!