Clip’n’Climb, a new £500,000 ‘action attraction’, launched at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena (EICA): Ratho on Friday.
Suitable for anyone from 4 to 84 years and beyond, Clip ‘n Climb has been opened by Edinburgh Leisure. Offering a fun and accessible climbing experience presenting participants with a selection of themed challenges on brightly coloured walls, it is the first one of it’s kind in Scotland and has created seven new jobs.
There are 15 different climbing challenges with 20 climbing lines and a maximum capacity of 20 people at each hour’s session. Harnessed into a hands-free automatic belay system specifically designed for the climbing industry, climbers have a safe controlled descent after scaling the heights, without the assistance of a partner. The concept was first pioneered in New Zealand.
Remko Plooij, Director of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “The beauty of Clip ‘n Climb is that unlike traditional climbing no previous experience or training is required, apart from our statutory 10 minute briefing at the start of each hour’s session. There’s also not the start-up costs associated with traditional rock climbing.
“It offers the challenge of climbing in a safe, accessible environment and it really does appeal to everyone from 4 to 84 years and beyond – something the whole family can participate in. The introduction of Clip ‘n Climb at Ratho compliments all the other activities we have on offer: soft play, climbing in the amazing arena, a fantastic gym and let’s not forget the cafe and guarantees a great day out for the whole family.”
Twenty-four children from Ratho Primary School were selected as the first to try out the new facility before it officially opened to the public on Good Friday.
Heather Tumblety, a P5 teacher from Ratho Primary said “The youngsters are ecstatic to be the first to try out the new activity. Even talking about it has made more of the children in our school want to get involved in climbing – and that’s without even trying.
“The brightly coloured climbing walls will be great for children’s problem solving skills, as well as engaging them in the activity.”
As part of the Active Schools network, which has worked with schools to get children and young people involved, and stay involved in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school, teacher Heather Tumblety is currently running lunchtime ‘bouldering’ taster sessions at Ratho Community Centre, next door to the primary school, with the intention of establishing a weekly club introducing the children to a fun and different sporting activity.
Tom Scott, Active Schools Co-ordinator for the Balerno schools’ cluster said: “Active Schools is all about getting more pupils more active more often, giving the children the chance to take part in school sport and activity.
“Giving Ratho Primary School children the opportunity to try this fabulous new activity will widen the children’s climbing horizons and be great for building relations with the Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho.”
Opening times vary depending on school holidays and term time so check the EICA:Ratho website. To book: www.eica-ratho.co.uk
IMAGES (C) JANE BARLOW
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