Manager’s Note: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & see you in 2017!

This year has been a year of changes for Ambleside Climbing Wall. Old faces have departed, new faces have arrived (mine included) & since the new team was assembled in June our centre has already seen some exciting developments.

Since bringing in the award schemes for our Mini Monkeys, Vertical Ninjas & Team Ambleside two terms ago we’ve given out 7 ‘Good Monkey’ certificates, 7 ‘NICAS 1’ certificates & even an ‘Awesome Monkey’ certificate! In addition some of our most committed young climbers were finally able to test themselves on real rock during the summer with the first of our Team Ambleside Mountain Days which will become a permanent addition to our summer months. Word has spread about our new youth programme & our Kids’ Clubs have now tripled in size with yet more young climbers set to join us in January. We already have plans laid for 2017 & our coaches are psyched for next year.

Naturally it’s not just our Kids’ Clubs we’ve got plans for. Our winter 2017 calendar kicks off with a Monday Night Technique & Training Social providing free coaching to help our regulars on their way up to that next grade. Then in February there’ll be a Winter Climbing League for a bit of fun, suspense & friendly competition. We’ve got far more than that planned of course… but we’d hate to spoil the surprise.

I’d like to say thank you to our stalwarts George H.H. & Ben Yates whose hard work has been crucial to what we have built in 2016… & of course the whole team says thank you to all our regulars & Kids’ Club members for the support you’ve shown us this year… Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & see you in 2017 for more climbing!

Edward A. Brown / Centre Manager