First session with Mountainwise running weekly indoor session with families funded by Kensington and Chelsea Children's Services for families needing support. The Team is owner if Mountainwise, his paid assistant and two CWI/RCI trainees volunteering as instructors and a K&C family therapist.
Group comprises families - mostly two or three siblings with one parent - only one Dad, rest Mums, Four instructors top rope children and parents for the full two hours on routes with a range of difficulty - slabs, walls and two overhanging lines. Some young people and parents are proficient at belaying, others less so, so some instructing is belaying, some close supervision if competent belayers and others the usual managing the tail rope. All belaying us by ATC style devices from the rope tie in loop to train for outdoor sessions. Very much a mix of basic instruction of novices and coaching if more experienced climbers.
From beginning I was able to approach different families to offer belays. Some have been attending for some time, for others it was the first session.
Brilliant environment and vibe and lovely interplay between staff, parents and children in and across families.
Area :
Chelsea Academy Climbing Wall
