Beginners guide to climbing at the Y

Did you know the Y has an awesome, full-size climbing wall right in the heart of Invercargill?

And our climbing and bouldering wall is FREE for all Y members to use?

But how do you even get started with climbing if you’ve never done it before?

Check out some Q&As below and, when you’re ready to take yourself to new heights, come and see our awesome team!

Do you need special equipment?

Nope. The Y has everything you need including harnesses, belays, and chalk. We have some (limited) climbing shoes you can hire if you want to, but they are not necessary.

What if I’ve never climbed before?

No worries at all, we’re here to help you all the way!

We have open climbing nights every Monday and Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm during term time. We have friendly and experienced instructors who can teach you all you need to know. All you need to do is show up and be ready to learn.

Do I need to come with someone to belay me?

No. It’s a pretty social environment, there will always be someone who can belay for you and our regular climbers are more than happy to help out.

Do I need to be a Y member to use the Y climbing and bouldering wall?

No. You are welcome to pay the casual fee (note that this is cheaper if you are part of the Southland Alpine Club).

What kind of fitness level do you need to climb?

Climbing is great because it suits any level of fitness. Obviously you’ll improve the more you go, but you don’t need to have any special level of fitness to get started.

What is a belay licence?

It allows you to climb unsupervised, so you can come in and use the climbing wall during our staffed hours without the need for an instructor.

How do I get one?

Turn up on one of our open nights, chat to the instructor and they will run you through safety protocols and teach you some key skills.

Then – at another open climbing night – you will go through an assessment. If you’re assessed as being fully competent across a range of key skills and health and safety aspects, you’ll get a Y belay licence which allows you to use the Y climbing wall unsupervised.

Note that you cannot be assessed on the same night you learn the information.

There is no additional cost for this, it is part of the open climbing nights. Your Y belay licence is only applicable to the Y Southland climbing wall.

If I love climbing what kind of competitions are available?

The Y runs a school competition and is looking into developing an adult competition, depending on interest.

I am a parent and would really like to climb with my child – is that possible?

Yes! We run a specific session called Kids Climb every Wednesday from 5pm-6pm, where parents and children aged under 16 can come along and climb. Parents belay and the kids climb!

How old do you need to be to belay for someone?

14.

Does indoor climbing help set you up for outdoor climbing?

Absolutely.

Plenty of our regulars that come along to open nights will be happy to help you if you are interested in progressing into outdoor climbing.

There is also an active Southland Alpine Club you might like to find out more about: https://alpineclub.org.nz/region/southland

Are there other climbing training opportunities I can do?

At times, the Y Southland will run indoor climbing supervisor courses. These run over six weeks. We will advertise these as and when they are scheduled.

I’ve got some more questions!

Any other questions can be emailed to the Y climbing instructor Peter Thurlow – pete.thurlow@ymcasouth.org.nz