The Deal

Showcasing the dynamic sport of low level, rope-free rock climbing, Boulder Brighton offers a one-hour induction and day pass (usually £18.50) to wannabe rock stars of all skill levels. Shoe hire is included and budding spidermen and women can return for a further visit with the aid of a day pass (£11.50).

Groupon asks director of Boulder Brighton, James Gomez, about bouldering and discovers why the problems at Fontainebleau stick in his memory.

G: How did you get into bouldering?

"My regular climbing partner was out of the country so I went to a bouldering centre and found I could arrive on my own, have a great session, and meet new climbers while I was at it. You can also focus more on the climbing movement, technique and problem-solving sides of rock climbing, and less on conquering your fear of heights."

G: What's your most memorable climbing experience?

"A few years ago I took my first trip to Fontainebleau in France, which is one of the spiritual homes of bouldering. On that trip I climbed La Marie Rose, which at one time was the hardest bouldering problem in the world. These days, with improvements in climbing shoes (and climbers!), it's no longer considered very difficult, but it's still a lovely piece of technical climbing and finishing it felt amazing."

G: If you could give one piece of advice to a beginner, what would it be?

"Focus on your feet! Beginners can sometimes tend to try and haul themselves up the wall using just their arms. This works for about five minutes (if they have strong arms!) after which they get tired very quickly."

G: Apart from safety equipment, what's the most useful piece of kit?

"Chalk can be very useful in improving your grip. Many climbers choose to carry a chalk bag with them when they climb, meaning that they can dip their hands in before a difficult move and stop their fingers slipping. This can be particularly helpful when it's hot, or if your hands tend to sweat a little when you exercise."

G: Where would you most like to climb? Why?

"I'd love to go climbing to Magic Wood in Switzerland. It's a famous bouldering venue set in beautiful woodlands (as you might expect) which is home to several classic bouldering test-pieces."

Reviews

Although Boulder Brighton has not yet been widely reviewed, it has a strong social media fanbase with more than 700 Twitter Followers and over 3,600 Likes on Facebook.

Details verified 06/01/2014.

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