Bouldering

When running bouldering activities always check you have appropriate equipment for the activity, environment and group members. Any equipment must follow manufacturer’s guidelines for use, storage and maintenance.

Suitable clothing – that allows lots of flexibility. Unless it is warm, you will need a couple of layers for your top half; you’ll most likely boulder in a t-shirt as you will get hot, but you will need a jumper for when you are standing spotting. Loose trousers, shorts or leggings are ideal for your bottom half. Anything which could catch onto the bouldering features should be avoided this includes wearing of neck scarfs, neckerchiefs and climbing harnesses.

Bouldering mats/pads – to help to cushion any landings or falls. Indoor facilities will already have bouldering mats/pads in place. When bouldering on natural rock, you will need to make sure that a mat is provided or that you take one with you.

Use of bouldering mats in an outdoor environment helps protect the ground environment from the activity impact by reducing ground erosion and vegetation damage.

Climbing shoes – although not essential when you first try bouldering (trainers will do), they are well worth investing in if you are going to undertake bouldering or other forms of climbing on a more regular basis. They aren’t the most comfortable to begin with but help with gripping the rock/wall, control and flexibility. Many climbing centres will have climbing shoes for hire.

Chalk – helps with grip and can be used for both indoor and outdoor bouldering. Comes in either lose powder form or as a ball and is generally stored in a chalk bag.

Guidebook – useful for outdoor problems, guidebooks often give information about a bouldering area(s), and generally include graded boulder problems, maps, pictures/diagrams and top tips.

Scout members who are leading bouldering activities do not need a climbing permit but should be aware of the risks involved in the activity and plan for the limitations of their groups. Where artificial bouldering venues provide operating procedures these must be followed.

In these situations the following guidance should be followed by the person leading the activity in order to manage the activity safely:

• Risk assessment - conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of the situation and make informed decisions as to the management of the activity. This risk assessment should be dynamic and continue throughout the activity. If the safety cover feels at any stage that the risks are too high then the activity should be stopped.
• Environmental factors - assess factors such as weather to determine a suitable duration of activity. Temperature will be a factor for bouldering outdoors but also indoors.
• Bouldering proficiency - have sufficient bouldering knowledge and experience to support the group members and encourage skill development throughout the activity.
• Incident management - be capable of responding to an incident and administering first aid to a casualty if needed, this includes  getting them to a point of safety, this should be appropriate to the location and equipment available.
• Equipment - be capable of identifying suitable equipment (both personal and group) for the activity and then ensure that it is stored correctly.
• Bouldering area - clearly define the bouldering area and communicate this to the group in an appropriate way. When deciding on the bouldering area consider your own experience, the ability of the group, safety cover, other users in the area, etc. The bouldering area should also include the limits of height that the group are expected to stay within, this should be no more than 2.5 times their personal height.
• Communication - clearly communicate with the group. This needs to be included in any briefing given so that the participants are aware of the signals for when to stop bouldering, exiting the area, etc.
• Access – specifically when bouldering outdoors ensure safe access for the participants to enter and exit the bouldering area. Access to the area must be possible to conduct a rescue or recovery.
• Manage the group effectively whilst the group are bouldering - This will include; adequate briefings prior to the group starting their climb, defining a suitable area, what to do in an emergency and communication whilst the group is doing the activity.
• Ratios - provide adequate cover based on the ratio identified in the risk assessment, and ensure that additional volunteer supervision is provided in line with the section ratios for any outdoor bouldering activities.

If you are bouldering outdoors, you may need a Terrain 1 or Terrain 2 hillwalking permit holder to get to and from the boulder area. At any point you require ropes for your boulder problem, this stops becoming a bouldering activity and you will need to follow the rules and guidance for climbing.

For younger and less experienced climbers, an artificial environment may be more suitable as the area can be controlled more than an outdoor location. It is down to the leader in charge to set appropriate boundaries (including a maximum height if required) for the group to stay within. It is easier to extend the height rather than reduce the height during a session. A piece of tape across the wall or identifying a specific hold to be the finish hold could be used as a height marker.

If your group is lucky enough to own or have regular access to a wall, regular re-routing is a great way of retaining interest in bouldering and promotes creativity amongst the participants. You may want to encourage older sections to have input in designing bouldering problems. Re-routing should be supervised by a competent volunteer.

Things to consider:

• Supervision is required for novice and younger participants at all times.
• The number of people on a wall may need to be limited, each participant should have at least 1m around them when bouldering.
• Remind all participants not to climb above or below anyone as this could cause serious injury to one or both participants.
• Spotting may be needed on overhang indoor walls where there isn’t good matting stretching far enough out from the wall.
• Having a line or designated area which the participants who are not currently bouldering stand behind gives a clear safe zone and clear bouldering zone.
• Indoor/artificial climbing facilities should provide matting/padding underneath bouldering walls. Matting does not eliminate or reduce the risk of injury, it only provides a more comfortable landing for the climber when falling or jumping from the wall. Always work within your group’s capabilities and descend by climbing down, or at the very least a controlled fall.
• Some traverse and warm up walls may not have thick padding underneath as these walls are designed for easy bouldering where the participant is well within their capabilities. If the participant does fall, they are very close to the ground and are likely to just stand on the floor.
• Holds may and do spin. Any holds that are found to be loose or spinning should not be used and must be reported to a staff member if at a centre.
• Every bouldering wall should have an operating manual which should be followed. Climbing and Activity Centres should have relevant policies and procedures that would have to be followed as part of the Terms and Conditions of hiring their venue.

It's not recommended that you take a group bouldering on natural rock without significant bouldering experience in the leadership team and confidence in the abilities of all participants. Bouldering outdoors on natural rock is more difficult than on artificial walls.

Things to consider:

• Are there site-specific guidelines about bouldering? Do they allow big groups? Is there enough space for your group? Will your group have a negative environmental impact on the area?
• Have you got a backup crag? Due to increasing popularity, the crag could be busy when you arrive meaning that there could be long waits to take part. Also, there could be environmental reasons such as rock fall or weather conditions that may mean access to a crag could be hindered. Also, check for any seasonal wildlife closures which may be in place to protect nesting birds or other local wildlife.
• What facilities are there? For example toilets, water supply, phone signal. How far is the nearest hospital?
• Consider the groups' footwear on soft rock. Don’t wear boots on soft rock e.g. sandstone. All shoes should be clean when climbing to preserve the rock and to not make the holds dirty for other climbers.
• Always stick to paths and avoid widening them when passing muddy sections.
• Different rock types have more grip at different times of year and in different weathers.
• Chalk should be used sparingly if required. Chalk should then be cleaned from boulders with a soft brush, such as a soft toothbrush. Avoid wire brushes as that will damage the rock.
• All rubbish should be taken home from the crag.
• Spotting is strongly advised on all outdoor routes and group spotting (more than one person spotting) on higher routes with higher difficulty.
• Designate a small space to store all bags and unused equipment when bouldering. This is also a good place to situate volunteer in case a participant needs a rest.
• Let everyone know where the first aid kit is and who the designated first aiders are.
• Make sure all the volunteers know where vehicle keys are in case of an emergency.
• Let the participants know where they can and can’t go and whether they need to be supervised.
• Respect other climbers and groups. Avoid making excess, unnecessary noise that could disturb other climbers and wildlife.

There are many externally managed bouldering facilities within the UK. These normally come in the form of climbing centres and activity centres.

It's important to check that you are satisfied that the provider is meeting the externally led activities requirements.

Top tips

• Check the qualifications or in-house competency assessment of the instructors or supervisors.
• Ask for information about whether you will have an instructor or if volunteers with your group will be required to supervise. If you are required to supervise, ask if you will be given a safety briefing on arrival – this then becomes scout led and the guidance earlier in this document applies.
• Ask for a risk assessment from the venue.
• Ensure they have equipment to suit your group and whether this comes at an extra cost (e.g. hiring climbing shoes).
• Negotiate a price for your group, many of these facilities will give good group discounts or packages.
• Check what elements of badge requirements could be met through this activity.
• Gather information from the provider to pass onto parents and young people about how to prepare for the activity.

Once climbers are comfortable with their technique and are bored of just doing problems, you may want to play some games. These are best suited to indoor bouldering walls, due to having larger matted areas, but some games could be adapted to play outdoors. All games should be considered within the risk assessment. 

Take a look at some of our bouldering game ideas.