Hey there climbers!
Welcome to Fenrock Climbing Center, We’re so excited to share our love for bouldering with you, but we know that starting out can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with a whole bunch of new words and phrases that you might not be familiar with. That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide to some of the most common terms you’ll hear around our gym.
Bouldering
Let’s start with the basics. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that takes place on shorter walls, without the use of ropes or harnesses. It’s a great way to build strength, work on your technique, and have fun with friends. At Fenrock, we have walls of varying difficulty levels, so there’s something for everyone.
Terminology
Now, let’s dive into some of the common terms you’ll hear around our gym
Beta: This refers to information about how to climb a specific route or problem. It can include things like the best holds to use, the order in which to tackle the moves, and any tricky sections to watch out for. You’ll often hear people ask for beta on a particular climb or offer beta to others who are struggling.
Chalk: Chalk is a powdery substance that climbers use to dry their hands and improve their grip on the holds. It’s usually stored in a chalk bag that can be worn around the waist or kept on the edge of the mats. Be sure to keep your chalk use to a minimum and brush the holds after you’re done to keep them clean for the next climber.
Flash: A flash is when a climber successfully completes a problem on their first attempt. It’s a great feeling when it happens, so celebrate your flashes!
Send: A send is when a climber successfully completes a route or problem. It can take multiple attempts to send a particularly difficult climb, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t send something right away.
Safety tips to protect yourself and others
At Fenrock, we take safety very seriously. We have special 30cm thick matting under all of our walls to cushion falls. This matting is designed to help absorb the impact of falls and reduce the risk of injury. However, it’s important to remember that injuries can still happen if you fall awkwardly or in an unexpected way. That’s why it’s crucial to always check the landing zone before you start climbing and to be mindful of other climbers who may be nearby when you fall.
Have Fun and Climb On!
We hope this quick guide has helped demystify some of the lingo you might hear at Fenrock Climbing Center. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and we’re all here to have fun and support each other. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff or other climbers for help. Happy climbing!
