The beginner's guide to rock climbing

If you’ve never tried rock climbing, you’re in for a treat. Not only is it an excellent all-over workout – improving your strength, stamina, flexibility and co-ordination – it also gives you an amazing sense of achievement. The buzz you get when you make it to the top of a climb is like nothing else. Even if you’re scared of heights, rock climbing is a fantastic way to face up to those fears in a controlled environment. You’ll feel ten-foot (or however high you climb) tall when you do.

Climbing is a great way to de-stress – you’ll notice your mind clears of everyday worries as you focus purely on your route and what your body needs to do. If you try outdoor climbing, you can throw in the added physical and mental benefits of fresh air and vitamin D, plus that indescribable effect nature has on the soul. 

And if that’s not enough, rock climbing is also great for teamwork. Most climbers work in pairs, making it a popular activity among couples. The trust you build when relying on each other to solve problems and stay safe is intense - it’s a whole other experience than going for a leisurely jog together. 

So, we’ve established that there a plenty of benefits to this exciting sport. But what about the dangers? Is it safe? 

As with many other sports, such as mountain biking or scuba diving, there’s an element of risk involved in rock climbing. But when you take the proper safety precautions, the risk really is minimal. 

Wearing safety gear like harnesses and helmets, learning with a qualified and experienced instructor, and climbing within your abilities are a must. It goes without saying that heading off to scale a rock face when you haven’t mastered the basic knots, belay techniques and climbing skills might not be the best plan!

Many beginners are unsure what to wear rock climbing, but it’s pretty simple when you’re starting out. Lightweight clothes that allow you to move easily are perfect – think leggings or shorts and a sports top. Loose fabrics can get tangled in your ropes and harness, so you want to keep things fairly slim-fitting.

You can certainly buy specialist climbing shoes if you get bitten by the bug, but any rubber-soled trainers will be fine in the beginning. 

Most climbing walls or beginner rock climbing excursions will provide all the extra gear and equipment you need, including harnesses, helmets, ropes and belay devices. If you plan on climbing during your Neilson Beachclub holiday, rest assured we’ll do just that.

It’s time to get stuck in! Here are some top tips for getting your technique off to a good start:

•    Keep your arms as straight as possible. Bent arms will fatigue far quicker. The same goes for tightly-gripped hands – loosen your grip as much as possible.

•    Your legs are much stronger than your arms – so try to climb by standing up from your feet, rather than by pulling yourself up with your arms.

•    Keep your body as close to the wall as possible – if your bum is sticking out, your centre of gravity will be pulling you off the wall. 

•    Aim for slow, precise movements over dramatic swings and lunges. 

•    Try practising ‘silent feet’ to improve your footwork and core strength. Your shoes should make as little noise as possible when you place them on the holds. 

•    Get to know the different rock climbing grades, but don’t let them rule you – they’re just a guide. Everybody finds different aspects of climbing difficult.

•    Warm up, cool down, listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard – getting injured will only slow up your progress. 

•    Practise falling – this seems counter-intuitive but at some point, all climbers come off the wall, so take the fear out of it by practising. Once you trust the rope, your confidence will soar, as will you.

•    Bouldering is a fun way to boost your strength and problem-solving skills with no need for faffing around with ropes.

At the end of the day, it’s all about building your technique and confidence – and the only way to do that is by putting in the hours – there are worse ways to spend an evening!

Lots of people learn the ropes at a climbing wall before heading off to their first rockface. It’s a great way to get some experience in a safe environment. Many climbing walls run classes for all ages to teach you the basics, or you can just turn up and have a go.

If you are staying at our Airone Beachclub in Italy, Alana Beachclub in Croatia or our Messini Beachclub in Greece, you’ll be able to take advantage of inclusive climbing and instruction on our climbing walls. Guests at adults-only Buca Beachclub can also pop next door to use the Messini wall. 

If the climbing wall doesn’t appeal or you’re feeling ready to take on some outdoor rock climbing, heading to a site with pre-bolted routes is your best bet when starting out. We’d always recommend going with an experienced climbing partner or instructor. 

Guests staying at our Alana Beachclub can book an instructor-led outdoor climbing experience in the stunning Paklenica National Park, one of the best free-climbing sites in Europe. And guests at our Messini and Buca Beachclubs can spend a morning climbing the beautiful limestone crags at the Kardamili site in Greece. Both sites have a great range of bolted climbs to suit all abilities. 

And that’s it! It’s time to take the the rope. Good luck!