As bouldering is a low impact activity, meaning it does not require a lot of gear, there are a lot of bad habits that can be developed quickly. If you learn the safety rules for bouldering then you can ensure that you are not putting yourself or others at risk of injury.
Land With Bent Knees
When you fall from the bouldering wall try to land feet first in the middle of the crash mat with your knees bent. Rolling back is fine to do, but rolling on your hands with straight arms can cause serious injury to your wrists. Practising your movements and falls at the beginning will enable you to develop safely and quickly.
Keep the Mat Clear
Never stand on the crash mat directly below someone climbing. Whether you’re watching or resting on a mat make sure to move to the side before someone comes crashing down. A climber falling unexpectedly on top of someone on a mat below can be very serious for both people.
Call Out Before You Drop
Calling out ‘falling’ or ‘coming off’ before you jump or fall gives others below a split second to move out of the way. It only takes a second to shout out and could save both yourself and others from a very serious injury.
Stay Within Your Grade
Climbers of all abilities attend Bouldering Hereford sessions. For this reason there will be a variety of bouldering problems to attempt. If you find a particular move unsafe (and not just very hard) then come back to it when you have become stronger.
Spotting Basics
As a spotter, your job is to steer the climber’s hips to the mat. Don’t attempt to catch the climber as this can cause serious injury. Stay close to the climber and watch their centre of mass rather than the holds.
Warm Up Before You Start
Do not warm up for bouldering sessions in Hereford sessions in advance of the session on warm up movements.
If you want Bouldering Hereford, https://www.270climbing.com/bouldering/hereford/ is a good place to start.
A few simple habits to protect yourself and others on the bouldering wall.
