🌟 The Boulders Story: A story Of Passion for Climbing 🧗

A very fresh looking Boulders, almost ready to open the doors in late 2008.

“Climb mountains, cliffs, or boulders. Walk up a hill, scale the Himalayas, or just hang out at your local climbing centre. It all starts here!”

Every story of adventure starts somewhere, and we like to think quite a few have started right here. The Boulders story started with two climbers who met in the military and shared an idea about bringing climbing to everyone.

Once upon a time indoor climbing was a niche activity, simply a training activity for experienced mountaineers or something for children to try on a rainy day at an Outward Bound camp.

The pair saw Cardiff as a gap in the market, a city so close to some of their favourite places to climb and some of the best rock climbing in Wales, like Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula, yet at the time lacked anywhere for the climbing community to call home.  

The Birth of Boulders 

After a long search for the perfect building, Boulders opened its doors in September 2008 with a simple goal in mind: to create the hub for a friendly and inclusive climbing community to grow and thrive in.

Ollie and Rob, the co-founders of Boulders, envisioned a space where everyone, regardless of their skill level, could discover climbing for the first time, or find the support and resources they needed to achieve their existing climbing goals. 

The Focus: New Climbers and Community Building 

From day one, a huge part of the mission has been to welcome new climbers into this great sport. At Boulders, we believe in nurturing that journey, building knowledge, and helping people weave a network of friends, climbing partners, and mentors. We all understand that climbing can seem daunting with its technical aspects, complex jargon and physical challenges (and the obvious sticking point for so many people, heights!).

That's why we’ve strived to create an environment that's approachable and supportive. That’s a pretty commonplace idea now, but over 15 years ago when people were first tieing in at Boulders, climbing was only just transitioning from a niche endeavour to the inclusive mainstream sport it is today.

But it's not just about the newcomers. Boulders has always been equally dedicated to those who have already discovered their love for climbing and want to push their limits and improve at a high level. Through regular route setting, events, fitness classes, and not least serving great coffee, our seasoned climbers always have something new and exciting to look forward to.  

The walls have changed a bit over the years as the needs of the community have developed. When Boulders first opened its doors, bouldering was a bit of a side-show, seen by many as a handy training tool for honing their roped climbing skills, but over the years it’s become a huge part of the climbing scene and we’ve been able to grow our bouldering offering to meet that demand (not least by opening two more dedicated bouldering facilities!). 

Check out our very first promo video, from back in 2010, to get a taste for how much has changed:

Similarly, the appetite for training facilities has grown hugely. We’ve gone from a campus board and a couple of circuits at our Newport Road side to a having a massive dedicated training room with digital woodies, a Moon Board and everything else the modern climber expects. At the new facilities in Culverhouse Cross and Cheltenham, training is a pretty major part of the setup. 

The Boulders Mission: Climb, Thrive, Connect 

The mission has been clear from the start: to help everyone discover the benefits of climbing. We're not just talking about physical health; it's also about mental well-being and being part of a vibrant community. At Boulders, we've strived to create a space where everyone can climb, thrive, and connect. 

A Decade and Beyond 

Now, well into our second decade, Boulders stands as a testament to the strength and spirit of our community and team. Co-founder Ollie Noakes reflects on the journey, “When we began building Boulders, our aim was to make climbing accessible to all. We wanted to dispel the intimidation often associated with climbing and showcase its welcoming nature. Our goal was to bring people together to share skills, experiences, and adventures in a friendly and open environment.” 

Here's to Many More Adventures! 

A lifetime of adventure truly starts here at Boulders and as we continue on this journey, we invite you to be a part of our story, to share in the good times, and to join us in the exciting world of climbing! Share your adventures with us by tagging @bouldersuk on your posts about climbing so we can see what our community is up to!