Category: News
This is News Category
The next ABC Conference looks set to be another unmissable event in the climbing industry calendar as we announce some of the incredible speakers who will be joining us on stage in September!
Garnet Moore, Executive Director of the Climbing Wall Association, will be sharing insights from USA on professionalising the climbing industry.
Gavin Heverly, Founder and Principal of Rise Above Consulting will be talking through how to take strategic control of your revenue.
Finally, we’re thrilled that Molly Thomspon-Smith, pro climber for Team GB, will not only be joining us for a special panel discussing how to unlock the commercial potential of climbing competitions – she’ll also be taking the creative reins of our team climbing challenge and holds showcase at Depot Sheffield.
Molly says:
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to bring a more inclusive and collaborative style to competition climbing. I want everyone to experience the social buzz, challenge and unique atmosphere that make comp climbing different from your average visit to the wall!”
Learn more about our speakers, agenda programme and get your tickets here.
We can’t wait to get started!
The Association of British Climbing Walls’ annual conference will take place on the 19-20th September at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, with an exciting new team climbing event at Depot Sheffield on the evening of the 19th.
This year’s conference will focus on ‘Scaling Success’ – from running comps to cafes and everything in between!
We are pleased to announce a range of opportunities to showcase your brand to climbing wall owners, managers, route setters, instructors, marketeers and more.
BOOK AN EXHIBITION STAND
Our last few exhibition stands are available to book at £1050 for a 3x3m space.
To see what is included in the exhibition package and view the floor plan, please view the brochure here.
SHOWCASE YOUR HOLDS IN ACTION
Showcase your best holds in action by sponsoring a bloc at our brand new climbing event at Depot Sheffield on the Thursday evening. Join us for a team climbing challenge hosted by team GB Olympic climber Molly Thompson-Smith. Bloc sponsors will be announced on the night, have in-situ branding and be included on all evening collateral.
£150+VAT per bloc (max two available per brand).
For any enquiries, please email [email protected].
SPONSOR A ROUND TABLE
We will be putting on a number of round table sessions to address key challenges shared by our members and the climbing sector more broadly.
See the list of possible topics here and contact [email protected] to find out more about hosting a session.
BESPOKE OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for something different? Contact [email protected].
MOUNTAIN TRAINING PRESS RELEASE:
Mountain Training continues to support indoor climbing walls through this latest release of its guidance for site-specific training schemes, which has been updated to reflect developments in good practice.
Site-specific training schemes are used by some indoor climbing walls and other artificial climbing walls to ensure the competency of their staff. In some instances it can be a more tailored and accessible route to demonstrating competence than requiring staff hold a national climbing instructor qualification, such as Climbing Wall Instructor.
The guidance is designed to be used by competent persons/technical advisors and climbing walls to develop and deliver unique site-specific training schemes and it has been endorsed by the Association of British Climbing Walls, BMC (British Mountaineering Council), Mountaineering Ireland and Mountaineering Scotland.
Guy Jarvis, Executive Officer for Mountain Training England said, “Mountain Training recognises the important role of site-specific endorsement and we hope this refreshed guidance provides support to those designing and delivering bespoke training to wall and centre staff, that is fit for purpose.
“We know many people who receive site-specific training often go on to complete a national qualification and we’re currently finalising the details of a Bouldering Wall Instructor qualification which will be launched in October. This will provide an additional option for the sector and has been developed in response to demand from walls and the individuals who work in them.”
Kath Hipwell, Chief Executive Officer at the Association of British Climbing Walls said, “We welcome this updated guidance from Mountain Training to support climbing walls in delivering high quality training that is both standardised and specifically relevant to their own centre and how it is used.”
– Mountain Training
Mountain Training works in partnership with the indoor climbing industry to produce the instructors and coaches of the future. In order to do this our candidates need to gain experience in managing and assisting group sessions in walls as a crucial part of their training.
Trainees can also be very useful. They can act as an extra pair of hands and eyes, even if this is only to fit a harnesses, hold a rope or manage a simple warm up. They can provide some useful feedback for the instructor even though they are there to learn themselves (some come with a lot of experience from other sports or teaching for example). Best of all it is an excellent staff recruitment tool with in-built observation, induction and site-specific assessment.
Managing trainees requires special operating procedures and some basic administration, but this is relatively easy to set up and advice is easily sought. Mountain Training has published its own ‘Guidance for managing assistants during climbing activities’ here: https://www.mountain-training.org/help/downloads
We would ask climbing wall managers that use Mountain Training qualified instructors and coaches to please work with us, and thereby support the indoor climbing industry, by offering these experiences that trainees need to develop their skills – where possible. If there are any concerns or difficulties we would be only too eager to learn about these and to help you with these if we can.
Many thanks.
Guy Jarvis, Exec Officer, MTE
Market Research 2021
This year’s survey was an online survey of 89 ABC member walls.
This is the 3rd bi-annual survey of climbing walls sponsored by the ABC
The purpose of this longitudinal research is to provide a regular update on the state of the climbing wall industry
Previous surveys were conducted by phone with climbing walls in the UK – both ABC member and non-member walls: 36 walls in 2019, 27 in 2017
This year’s survey was conducted on-line, using Survey Monkey, with ABC member walls only
If your wall participated in the market research you will receive a free copy of the research there will be a discounted price for members if they would like a copy.
Non members can also purchase a copy by selecting the correct link below.
ABC safety poster series for your wall
The ABC has been working with the BMC and other industry partners to develop a series of six new safety posters for you to use in your walls. We hope you find these helpful collateral as you prepare for reopening.
There are three folders of PDFs spec’d for A2, A3 & A4 printing. A space is provided for your own wall logo: you will see a jpeg for guidance on placement.
