Climbing Academy opens in Bristol

Climbers will be able to test their skills on 750sq m of wall in a new centre in Bristol from Tuesday.

The Climbing Academy is in the basement of Belvedere House in Charlton Street, Barton Hill.

Building work on the centre and its 'bouldering' wall – which has all cost about £250,000 – has been underway since August.

Bouldering is low-level climbing, on a wall about four metres high, done without ropes but above crash mats.

Owners Paul Twomey and Rich Emerson said the academy would be suitable for all levels of ability, but beginners would have to complete an induction course before climbing.

"This type of climbing is good because it is very easy to get into, you don't need any equipment and you don't need to come along with a partner because there are no ropes to look after," said Mr Emerson, 45, from Bishopston.

"It is often described as pure climbing, because you really concentrate on movement and technique."

The two climbers decided to set up the academy after realising that between them they had the right kind of skills to make a go of it.

Mr Emerson has the business skills, having run a management training company, and Mr Twomey, 40, from St Werburgh's, is an experienced climber and has helped build climbing walls across the region.

For more information visit www.theclimbingacademy.com.