Skills Course

Learn to Lead Sport Climbing

2 day course
Portland or Swanage

Course Overview

This course is about learning to lead climb on bolted rock cliffs. All routes are bolted with good stainless resin anchors and lower off points, making climbing safe and enjoyable. To do this course you will need to be able to top rope belay competently and have some previous climbing experience, either indoor or outdoor. This rock climbing course can be made into a one day course.

AIMS OF THE COURSE

This is a lead sport climbing course. The course includes how to clip bolts correctly using quick draws, how to re-thread rope at the lower offs, how to belay a leader, how to take falls and arrest falls (using top rope back up), the strategies of sports climbing and how to move on rock sufficiently. You will learn how to use guide book and how to select and choose your climb.

We will also cover abseiling and some simple rescue and problem solving techniques. This rock climbing course is recommended as a two days course.

At the end of this course you will feel confident to lead on single pitch bolted climbs without back up top rope and will climb many challenging and exciting routes in different areas of Portland or Swanage.

Course Details

Location: Portland or Swanage

Duration: 2 day course (can be made into a 1-day course)

Cost: £240 pp for the two-day course
*minimum 2 participants

Ratio: 1:6

Level: All levels

PRICING & DATES

COURSE FORMAT

We meet either in London or at the location that has been planned for the course. We will discuss what works best during the booking process. More details about travel and accommodation can be found below.

Once we get together at the climbing location, it will be time to get kitted out and have a chat about the course and plans to fit in with you, your experience and expectations, the weather, and location. The timings of each day on the course are very much dependent on us getting the most out of the trip. They are always fun-packed but time to head back to the accommodation for well-earned food and rest.

All courses are privately guided with a maximum of four clients to an instructor.

AREAS WE GO TO

Climbing areas for this course include:

  • Portland, Dorset
  • Swanage, Dorset

Portland lies on the South Coast of Dorset and is connected to the mainland by the vast sand spit, Chesil Beach. Just 3 hours away from London, it has some of the best sports climbing in the country. Views and climbing routes are spectacular, with towering limestone cliffs in a breath-taking scenery.

Swanage is

PRICING & DATES

Date(s) – No dates confirmed. Contact us for your bespoke course. It is always better to run these courses during the week, when possible, as crags are less busy, so do see if you can take a day or two off during the week. 

Pricing

£240 per person for the two day course.*

*This trip needs a minimum of 2 participants to run. Or can run as a 1:1 at £480  for the two days.
This trip can also be run for one day for £140 per person (minimum 2 people).

What’s included in the price?

  • Two days of climbing instruction and tuition
  • Equipment
  • Transport to and from the venue if travelling from London (if needed – to discuss at time of booking)

BOOK TODAY
Course Details

LOCATION: Portland or Swanage

DURATION: 2 day course (can be made into a 1-day course)

COST: £240 pp for the two-day course
*minimum 2 participants

RATIO: 1:6

Level: All levels

2024 PRICING & DATES

Further Information

  • Climbing shoes (we can supply these, but we strongly recommend that you have your own as you will enjoy the climbing much more)
  • Harness and helmet (we can supply)
  • Food and drink

  • You will need to be able to top rope belay competently
  • You will need to have some previous climbing experience, either indoor or outdoor
  • Be able to tie in with a figure of 8

You will need to book your own accommodation.  There are campsites, hostels and B&Bs near our climbing venues. We can discuss your requirements at the time of booking.

This is something we can discuss at the point of booking. It is important that we respect the environment so travelling from the same area in convoy doesn’t make great sense, although sometimes this cannot be avoided. If you will be travelling from London it is possible to arrange shared transport in my car to help save the environment and your money. Whatever the case, let’s chat and make sure it works best for all.

Book YOUR COURSE

If you have any questions or would you like to book then please use the form below and we’ll get right back to you as quickly as we can.

FAQs

BOOK TODAY

To book your place, pop up to the message box above and tell us how many people you would like to book, your preferred date and location, and what equipment you need. This outdoor rock climbing course is ideal to book as a two course, to allow sufficient time to learn traditional climbing skills. If you have any questions about this climbing course please don’t hesitate to call me on 07525 757 535

We we will provide climbing equipment, but do feel free to bring your own. Ensure you bring appropriate clothing for the location and time of year. We will send you kit list and useful resources to help you prepare.

Weather in Portland and Swanage is usually good enough for climbing. Even when it drizzles it’s still possible to climb and we can practice clipping the bolts and learn rope work skills from the ground.

This depends on each course and where everyone in the group is located. We will discuss the best travel arrangements for everyone when you book.

Fantastic! Send us a message as if it’s a climbing venue then we will have probably experienced it and can tell you more. Contact us and we can discuss all the options.

This is not a course for beginners. You will need to be able to top rope belay competently and have some previous climbing experience, either indoor or outdoor. If you are a beginner, please do check out our ‘Introduction to Rock Climbing‘ courses.

Perhaps. Who knows? Maybe. Definitely. For sure! But not to worry, just send us a message and we will do all we can to help. Climbing courses are such great fun, but it is important to be prepared. We all forget things from time to time, but at least we can remind you of the essentials if you drop us a line.