Who knew there's other stuff to do in Dublin besides pints!
Fresh from a relatively booze-free weekend, a few friends and I took a stab at a healthy lifestyle and decided the best way to do this was "go climb something" (quote unquote)
We payed 20 euro for an induction hour with one of the trainers there, as well as membership cards and the 'proper' climbing shoes.
The trainer was absolutely lovely. She takes you the whole way around (nearly) every single wall, beginning with the kids one (curse those kids and their natural agility!!) It starts off easy as pie, but actually ends up being pretty challenging, despite having someone there telling you exactly where to put your foot / arm / head / flailing body! She climbed up each route first (slowly and methodically, yet still so fecking nimbly, you're lured into a false sense of how easy it was actually going to be..!)
I was there with a couple of lads, one who seemed to take to it like a... duck to a... lily pad?! Another who was tall enough not to stuggle too much. I did struggle on a few occasions, and on these occasions, she was there to talk me through the technical ways of doing it, and some good old fashioned encouragement. It worked a treat and the hour (and 15 mins which it turned out to be) left me really excited to go back again.
Each time after this, it's 8 euro to come and climb as long as you want. You can go out, grab some lunch (or some spinach!) and come back in no bother at all.
It's amazing exercise, and from what I can see of the set up (from a total amateur perspective), the set up seems really good for all abilities. They have a professional wall for competitions too which I'd love to see.
Mondays they also have open coaching for anyone who's there and wants it.
All in all, top evening! Will be back, regularly, I hope! read more