This past weekend, Climb When Ready delivered a highly engaging Sandstone Instructors training course, bringing together eight enthusiastic participants and a strong instructional team of four: James, Sean, Alaric and Al. The course combined practical outdoor sessions with essential theory, equipping attendees with the skills and confidence required to safely lead climbing sessions on sandstone venues.
Exploring Harrison’s Rocks
Saturday saw the group head to Harrison’s Rocks, one of the South East’s most popular sandstone climbing venues. The focus of the day was on developing safe and effective top rope systems, with particular emphasis on:
- Building anchors using both natural features (trees) and fixed protection (bolts)
- Understanding and applying equalisation techniques to distribute loads safely
- Selecting appropriate rigging methods that protect the fragile sandstone environment
Instructors guided participants through real-world setups, reinforcing good practice and encouraging discussion around decision-making at the crag. Alongside the practical elements, the group also explored the use of guidebooks developing confidence in route selection, venue assessment and identifying suitable climbing locations for Scout and youth groups.
Sunday Skills Refresh and Progression
Sunday morning began at Copthorne Prep School, where participants refreshed their skills on artificial climbing walls. This session included:
- Revisiting indoor top rope systems
- Practising safe belaying techniques
- Reinforcing abseiling setups and procedures
The transition from outdoor sandstone to indoor climbing ensured a well-rounded understanding of adapting techniques across environments which is an essential skill for instructors working with diverse groups.
Stone Farm – Putting It All Together
The course concluded with an afternoon at Stone Farm, returning to sandstone climbing with increased confidence and capability. Participants had the opportunity to:
- Apply anchor building techniques in a different setting
- Set up safe and efficient climbing systems
- Consolidate learning through hands-on practice under instructor guidance
This final session brought together the key learning points from the weekend, allowing participants to demonstrate their progression and receive tailored feedback.
A Successful and Supportive Learning Environment
With an excellent ratio of instructors to participants, the course maintained a supportive and collaborative atmosphere throughout. The mix of venues, practical exercises and theory ensured that all attendees left with a deeper understanding of sandstone climbing, alongside the skills required to deliver safe and enjoyable sessions for others.
A big thank you to James, Sean, Alaric and Al for their expertise and guidance and well done to all eight participants for their enthusiasm and commitment over the weekend.
