New NICAS Term June 2012!!!

Click here for new term dates and details

Book now for the New June 2012 NICAS Term…

The National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme is a new nationally recognised scheme that introduces new climbers to climbing on artificial climbing walls. The scheme focuses on skill development and safety as well as climbing ability, and is split into 5 award levels. NICAS is open to climbers of all ages and abilities, as it covers all aspects from the absolute basics to advanced climbing techniques.

Aims of the scheme:

1. to develop climbing skills and improve levels of ability

2. to learn climbing rope-work and how to use equipment safely

3. to develop risk assessment and management skills in the sport

4. to work as a team, communicate with, and trust a climbing partner

5. to develop an understanding of the sport, it’s history and future challenges

6. to provide a record of personal achievement

7. to point the way to further challenges in climbing beyond the scheme

NICAS is ideal for school and youth groups who are looking to book a series of sessions at hCC. Participants can do as much or as little of the scheme as they wish, as each level carries its own award. All participants have their own logbook and certificates to keep a record of their achievements.

NICAS provides a structured scheme of achievement that is recognizes by all participating walls. It can sit alongside GCSE and A Level PE courses (depending on the syllabus used) to provide an extra award for participants.

For more information, including a synopsis of each award level, please visit www.nicas.co.uk

Please see the below link for details of the new term starting week commencing 11th June 2012….

Setting May 2012

Please be aware of the following setting dates & times including partial & complete wall closures…

Monday 21st May

10am – 6pm

Area set: Phase 2.1

Set by: Liam Halsey & Rob Lloyd

Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd May

10am – 6pm

Area set: The entire bouldering hall

Set by: Liam Halsey, Rob Lloyd and Mike Langley

Please be aware that due to the boulder reset there will be partial closures to the bouldering wall Monday, and complete closures Tuesday & Wednesday day time for preparation and setting. This will not affect the evening opening hours from 6pm but Monday evening circuits Blue, Green and Pink will be stripped.

Phase 2!!!

As we promised and as the 6 foot sign at the end of the main hall has been ’subtly’ hinting, we will be installing a Phase 2 area. For the past 18 months we have been racking our brains as to what will make the best use of this space, create something viable yet unique for you, our customers.

After months of debating, we have come up with some designs, ideas and have decided to split this project in to 2 sections: Phase 2.1 and Phase 2.2.

Phase 2.1

Phase 2.1 will be installed along the far right hand side of the Phase 2 area. This is going to be something the centre has been missing: a large section of top rope and lead slab lines. These lines, (approximately 10), will be perfect for beginners, learning the ropes in both top roping and lead climbing whilst also giving the perfect canvas for our setters to create technical, challenging and fun slab climbs, like never before seen at RCC. The good news on this project is that after months of developing, we now have a design and not only that a start of installation date, Monday 7^th May 2012. This is being built by Climbing Wall Solutions Ltd (CWS), and we are very excited about working with CWS on this project. It is estimated to be a 2 week turn around, during which time there with be some closures to the right hand side of the arch and connecting back wall, but this will be kept to a minimum as much as possible.

Phase 2.2

This has been the real head scratcher. We have spent literally months talking to the UK’s best setters, best wall designers, GB Climbers and customers, trying to determine what is missing at RCC and more importantly, in the UK indoor climbing scene. Now although we have spent a considerable amount time doing this, and we have several very good designs, we have yet to finalise the design. So in the good old fashion style of keeping the excitement growing, we can tell you this.

We plan for Phase 2.2 to include/create the following:

1. a cave like feel, perfect for European sport climbing training
2. something much stepper and longer than anything currently in the south
3. to include the back of the current arch
4. to create up to 3 times the amount of climbable lines than the current RCC arch

We are mega psyched about both these phases and hope you will be too.

For any ideas or feedback about any of the Phase 2 developments please email info@readingclimbingcentre.com subject: Phase2