rock climbing advice ?

[Anonymous]

DC is getting into rock-cliimbing at the encouragement of exDH. I'm fine with climbing as a sport for DC, but a little puzzled about the logistics. My understanding is that rock climbing requires a partner to belay. Gym staff do belaying only on the weekends at a cost of $30 for 3 climbs. DC wants to climb more than just occasionally, so the $30/3 climbs is getting old. I encouraged exDH to take a course and learn how to belay for DC. ExDH tried, but for a variety of reasons that is not working out.

How do other families manage this? DC doesn't seem to climb well enough to "make a team" which would provide climbing partners or supervisory staff. The instructional opportunities that provide belay partners or instructors seem fairly limited - 6 weeks, very basic -- and seem like DC would outgrow this quickly, yet class seems like a natural place to find other kids who could be climbing partners outside of class.

DC is 13 y.o. Can he just show up at the gym and magically some other customer will offer to belay him? DC has taken a course, is quite big and strong for his age and could, in theory, belay for someone else... but, do you just let anyone belay you at the gym? I mean, I'm not sure I'd look at any 13 yo and think, "I trust you to stop me if I fall." Conversely, do you think it's safe to tell a 13 y.o., "go to the gym and hang out and see what strange adults will play with you..." Clearly, since I don't climb, I don't understand the social and safety dynamics at work in this environment.

If you are a rock-climber or you have kids who climb, please recommend your location (we are in Upper NW/BCC area), classes, how you found a reliable belay partner or any other wisdom about how to help a kid spend time and develop in this sport.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is getting into rock-cliimbing at the encouragement of exDH. I'm fine with climbing as a sport for DC, but a little puzzled about the logistics. My understanding is that rock climbing requires a partner to belay. Gym staff do belaying only on the weekends at a cost of $30 for 3 climbs. DC wants to climb more than just occasionally, so the $30/3 climbs is getting old. I encouraged exDH to take a course and learn how to belay for DC. ExDH tried, but for a variety of reasons that is not working out.

How do other families manage this? DC doesn't seem to climb well enough to "make a team" which would provide climbing partners or supervisory staff. The instructional opportunities that provide belay partners or instructors seem fairly limited - 6 weeks, very basic -- and seem like DC would outgrow this quickly, yet class seems like a natural place to find other kids who could be climbing partners outside of class.

DC is 13 y.o. Can he just show up at the gym and magically some other customer will offer to belay him? DC has taken a course, is quite big and strong for his age and could, in theory, belay for someone else... but, do you just let anyone belay you at the gym? I mean, I'm not sure I'd look at any 13 yo and think, "I trust you to stop me if I fall." Conversely, do you think it's safe to tell a 13 y.o., "go to the gym and hang out and see what strange adults will play with you..." Clearly, since I don't climb, I don't understand the social and safety dynamics at work in this environment.

If you are a rock-climber or you have kids who climb, please recommend your location (we are in Upper NW/BCC area), classes, how you found a reliable belay partner or any other wisdom about how to help a kid spend time and develop in this sport.

Thanks!

He can boulder by himself

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is getting into rock-cliimbing at the encouragement of exDH. I'm fine with climbing as a sport for DC, but a little puzzled about the logistics. My understanding is that rock climbing requires a partner to belay. Gym staff do belaying only on the weekends at a cost of $30 for 3 climbs. DC wants to climb more than just occasionally, so the $30/3 climbs is getting old. I encouraged exDH to take a course and learn how to belay for DC. ExDH tried, but for a variety of reasons that is not working out.

How do other families manage this? DC doesn't seem to climb well enough to "make a team" which would provide climbing partners or supervisory staff. The instructional opportunities that provide belay partners or instructors seem fairly limited - 6 weeks, very basic -- and seem like DC would outgrow this quickly, yet class seems like a natural place to find other kids who could be climbing partners outside of class.

DC is 13 y.o. Can he just show up at the gym and magically some other customer will offer to belay him? DC has taken a course, is quite big and strong for his age and could, in theory, belay for someone else... but, do you just let anyone belay you at the gym? I mean, I'm not sure I'd look at any 13 yo and think, "I trust you to stop me if I fall." Conversely, do you think it's safe to tell a 13 y.o., "go to the gym and hang out and see what strange adults will play with you..." Clearly, since I don't climb, I don't understand the social and safety dynamics at work in this environment.

If you are a rock-climber or you have kids who climb, please recommend your location (we are in Upper NW/BCC area), classes, how you found a reliable belay partner or any other wisdom about how to help a kid spend time and develop in this sport.

Thanks!

He can boulder by himself

Thanks! I suggested that, but he rejected it, and I don't understand why..... Is it less cool? Is there something special equipment in order to do it? We just bought his own harness, but he doesn't have climbing shoes yet. Does he need a different kind of lesson to be able to do it successfully?

[Anonymous]

Find a gym that has a few climbs with self belay. There are at least two and most gyms. And bouldering. Is there some reason you don't want to learn how to belay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is getting into rock-cliimbing at the encouragement of exDH. I'm fine with climbing as a sport for DC, but a little puzzled about the logistics. My understanding is that rock climbing requires a partner to belay. Gym staff do belaying only on the weekends at a cost of $30 for 3 climbs. DC wants to climb more than just occasionally, so the $30/3 climbs is getting old. I encouraged exDH to take a course and learn how to belay for DC. ExDH tried, but for a variety of reasons that is not working out.

How do other families manage this? DC doesn't seem to climb well enough to "make a team" which would provide climbing partners or supervisory staff. The instructional opportunities that provide belay partners or instructors seem fairly limited - 6 weeks, very basic -- and seem like DC would outgrow this quickly, yet class seems like a natural place to find other kids who could be climbing partners outside of class.

DC is 13 y.o. Can he just show up at the gym and magically some other customer will offer to belay him? DC has taken a course, is quite big and strong for his age and could, in theory, belay for someone else... but, do you just let anyone belay you at the gym? I mean, I'm not sure I'd look at any 13 yo and think, "I trust you to stop me if I fall." Conversely, do you think it's safe to tell a 13 y.o., "go to the gym and hang out and see what strange adults will play with you..." Clearly, since I don't climb, I don't understand the social and safety dynamics at work in this environment.

If you are a rock-climber or you have kids who climb, please recommend your location (we are in Upper NW/BCC area), classes, how you found a reliable belay partner or any other wisdom about how to help a kid spend time and develop in this sport.

Thanks!

He can boulder by himself

Thanks! I suggested that, but he rejected it, and I don't understand why..... Is it less cool? Is there something special equipment in order to do it? We just bought his own harness, but he doesn't have climbing shoes yet. Does he need a different kind of lesson to be able to do it successfully?

Earth Treks (with gyms in Rockville and Crystal City) has Climbing "Club" for kids and teens- not part of the team, that offers adults that can belay and also teaches. They also do Friday Night Rox which is a bunch of kids on Friday night climbing. Bouldering is not less cool - he just may like going up and being on the ropes - bouldering has no ropes, so when you fall, you fall - albeit onto mats, and you can't climb as high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is getting into rock-cliimbing at the encouragement of exDH. I'm fine with climbing as a sport for DC, but a little puzzled about the logistics. My understanding is that rock climbing requires a partner to belay. Gym staff do belaying only on the weekends at a cost of $30 for 3 climbs. DC wants to climb more than just occasionally, so the $30/3 climbs is getting old. I encouraged exDH to take a course and learn how to belay for DC. ExDH tried, but for a variety of reasons that is not working out.

How do other families manage this? DC doesn't seem to climb well enough to "make a team" which would provide climbing partners or supervisory staff. The instructional opportunities that provide belay partners or instructors seem fairly limited - 6 weeks, very basic -- and seem like DC would outgrow this quickly, yet class seems like a natural place to find other kids who could be climbing partners outside of class.

DC is 13 y.o. Can he just show up at the gym and magically some other customer will offer to belay him? DC has taken a course, is quite big and strong for his age and could, in theory, belay for someone else... but, do you just let anyone belay you at the gym? I mean, I'm not sure I'd look at any 13 yo and think, "I trust you to stop me if I fall." Conversely, do you think it's safe to tell a 13 y.o., "go to the gym and hang out and see what strange adults will play with you..." Clearly, since I don't climb, I don't understand the social and safety dynamics at work in this environment.

If you are a rock-climber or you have kids who climb, please recommend your location (we are in Upper NW/BCC area), classes, how you found a reliable belay partner or any other wisdom about how to help a kid spend time and develop in this sport.

Thanks!

He can boulder by himself

Thanks! I suggested that, but he rejected it, and I don't understand why..... Is it less cool? Is there something special equipment in order to do it? We just bought his own harness, but he doesn't have climbing shoes yet. Does he need a different kind of lesson to be able to do it successfully?

Earth Treks (with gyms in Rockville and Crystal City) has Climbing "Club" for kids and teens- not part of the team, that offers adults that can belay and also teaches. They also do Friday Night Rox which is a bunch of kids on Friday night climbing. Bouldering is not less cool - he just may like going up and being on the ropes - bouldering has no ropes, so when you fall, you fall - albeit onto mats, and you can't climb as high.

Here's info about Teen Club at Earth Treks. https://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/md-va/rockville/youth-instruction-earth-treks-rockville/ It's a fabulous sport - the kids are super-fit and super-nice. Even the competitive aspects are not crazy - the kids root for each other and compete against themselves.

[Anonymous]

Also, he can get a club membership. There's "trade a belay" for those that come without a belay partner, but he probably needs to get better at belaying - which he can do through the teen programs.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you can boulder until age 14 at Earth Treks. Not sure when you can belay.

Some prefer bouldering. Some prefer roped climbing. It's just preference. Both can be awesome and great workouts.

[Anonymous]

Don't fall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Earth Treks (with gyms in Rockville and Crystal City) has Climbing "Club" for kids and teens- not part of the team, that offers adults that can belay and also teaches. They also do Friday Night Rox which is a bunch of kids on Friday night climbing. Bouldering is not less cool - he just may like going up and being on the ropes - bouldering has no ropes, so when you fall, you fall - albeit onto mats, and you can't climb as high.

Here's info about Teen Club at Earth Treks. https://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/md-va/rockville/youth-instruction-earth-treks-rockville/ It's a fabulous sport - the kids are super-fit and super-nice. Even the competitive aspects are not crazy - the kids root for each other and compete against themselves.

It looks like Teen club is just 6 weeks. Does it go in 6 week chunks all year and kids just keep re-registering? Does everyone just sort of proceed at their own pace within it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is getting into rock-cliimbing at the encouragement of exDH. I'm fine with climbing as a sport for DC, but a little puzzled about the logistics. My understanding is that rock climbing requires a partner to belay. Gym staff do belaying only on the weekends at a cost of $30 for 3 climbs. DC wants to climb more than just occasionally, so the $30/3 climbs is getting old. I encouraged exDH to take a course and learn how to belay for DC. ExDH tried, but for a variety of reasons that is not working out.

How do other families manage this? DC doesn't seem to climb well enough to "make a team" which would provide climbing partners or supervisory staff. The instructional opportunities that provide belay partners or instructors seem fairly limited - 6 weeks, very basic -- and seem like DC would outgrow this quickly, yet class seems like a natural place to find other kids who could be climbing partners outside of class.

DC is 13 y.o. Can he just show up at the gym and magically some other customer will offer to belay him? DC has taken a course, is quite big and strong for his age and could, in theory, belay for someone else... but, do you just let anyone belay you at the gym? I mean, I'm not sure I'd look at any 13 yo and think, "I trust you to stop me if I fall." Conversely, do you think it's safe to tell a 13 y.o., "go to the gym and hang out and see what strange adults will play with you..." Clearly, since I don't climb, I don't understand the social and safety dynamics at work in this environment.

If you are a rock-climber or you have kids who climb, please recommend your location (we are in Upper NW/BCC area), classes, how you found a reliable belay partner or any other wisdom about how to help a kid spend time and develop in this sport.

Thanks!

He can boulder by himself

Thanks! I suggested that, but he rejected it, and I don't understand why..... Is it less cool? Is there something special equipment in order to do it? We just bought his own harness, but he doesn't have climbing shoes yet. Does he need a different kind of lesson to be able to do it successfully?

Pp here who suggested bouldering. I climbed when I was younger (16-18), and bouldering definitely seemed cooler to me at that age. In fact, at my gym, the top ropers were much older than the boulderers. You only need shoes and chalk to boulder.

[Anonymous]

I would not let someone I didn't know belay me, and I am pretty sure that I wouldn't let any 13 year old belay me. I've not infrequently seen even adults asleep at the wheel while belaying and said something to them when I noticed that they were not taking up slack (when it got to be like more than 10 feet of slack and they were clearly zoned out).

OP, can you take a class and learn to belay? It's really not hard, and few people will care about your kid's safety as much as you will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you can boulder until age 14 at Earth Treks. Not sure when you can belay.

Some prefer bouldering. Some prefer roped climbing. It's just preference. Both can be awesome and great workouts.

This is false. There are kids 8 and up bouldering - just need a waiver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Earth Treks (with gyms in Rockville and Crystal City) has Climbing "Club" for kids and teens- not part of the team, that offers adults that can belay and also teaches. They also do Friday Night Rox which is a bunch of kids on Friday night climbing. Bouldering is not less cool - he just may like going up and being on the ropes - bouldering has no ropes, so when you fall, you fall - albeit onto mats, and you can't climb as high.

Here's info about Teen Club at Earth Treks. https://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/md-va/rockville/youth-instruction-earth-treks-rockville/ It's a fabulous sport - the kids are super-fit and super-nice. Even the competitive aspects are not crazy - the kids root for each other and compete against themselves.

It looks like Teen club is just 6 weeks. Does it go in 6 week chunks all year and kids just keep re-registering? Does everyone just sort of proceed at their own pace within it?

It's a club like clubs at school - much more relaxed than team. Yep goes in chunks all year. If I were you, I'd give the gym a call - the people there can answer all your questions - they are very welcoming of teens. You can find out about classes to belay, bouldering techniques, etc.

[Anonymous]

Can you belay for someone who is your weight or bigger? I only have about 30 pounds on DC, and he is really bulking up fast.