One of the worst climbing gyms I’ve visited around the world in terms of safety. I am not one to leave negative reviews for climbing gyms as I have never had a bad experience with one , but sadly I did have one here. It seems like a management issue rather than staffing.

I did go to Extreme Rock on a Sunday being a busy day, plus it was my first time climbing here. Cues were long and busy to check in, after checking in and paying , staff did not inform us about where facilities were, and whether we needed an induction or even belay check. It seemed like we were allowed to hit the walls at our own demise, it was only there and then I went over and asked whether we needed this, where we were told we just had to do a safety introduction and a belay spot check where we could grab any member of staff to spot check us.

After waiting 15minutes for a safety brief which was aimed at the beginners and the clip and climb section rather than a bouldering, top rope / lead introduction. Half of the time other customers were out in the heavens not listening to the brief , typical.

Went for a quick boulder session , amazing to see non climbing shoes on the walls , with children running around the matts and climbing onto the wall underneath other climbers…

Went to go ask for a belay spot check and we were exclaimed by a newish looking staff member that we would have to join in a belay class with the next one being in 15minutes. Where we had told the member of staff that we knew how to belay and have climbed before, he asked his manger and she informed him we had to do a belay class, which didn’t make sense when we were informed originally we could grab any staff member to spot check. Luckily after 10 minutes of waiting a kind female staff member came to spot check us, so I thank her for her time.

It seemed like it was all hectic and a lot of waiting, I probably spent more time waiting then actually climbing it seemed like.

So what can I say, the gym has a great selection of top rope selections and a massive lead walls, with good overhangs and a range of grades, the boulder section is small but does have grades and some ish comp stuff. I really liked the mix range of climbs , no negative aspects of the climbing factor of the gym, it’s amazing, just all cramped up with the clip n climb stuff.

It was more so the saftey aspect, staff and parents allowing children and even adults walking under belayers, especially under the lead climbs, jumping on Matt’s, and the whole atmosphere being a kids play park, with children eating on the matts and climbing up the walls, and adults doing the same, with all their belongings scattered around. And with non climbing shoes being allowed on the walls, where definitely children has been back and forth from toilets is amazing to see… alongside seeing alarming belaying from adults , yes there is a Gri Gri but can’t always trust on gear.

Overall the gym is great if it was quiet , I may visit back again and try it, as I really enjoyed the climbs and value of it. It was just crazy to see the disregard of safety from management allowing members of public to do what they did… seems like they don’t limit entry, allow everyone in, parking was a mess, bags was a mess, people eating food everywhere. And major concern is allowing beginners to sort their harness themselves without proper checks with my observation. Staff seemed stunt at the amount of people, props to them looking like a small team, I know how it is working in the same environment but it should be the management organisation of entry and bday parties, seems like a profit over safety. Just a shame, first time to leave a negative review on a climbing gym.