Learn how to belay for your partner! In this intro lesson, we teach you how to tie the knot, run the ropes, and lower safely. The lesson comes with a 2-week membership and the harness rental for the day of the lesson. The lesson runs between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Participants must be 13 or older. Anyone under 18 must have a minor waiver signed by their parent/legal court-appointed guardian. Please let us know of weight differences of more than 100lbs.
Available lesson times: Please see our schedule to book into an available time. You can book up to 2 weeks in advance.
Pricing $60 per person Includes 1-day harness rental and a 2-week trial membership
All prices excluding HST
Belay certifications are challengeable by a practical exam at no cost to the customer.
Our Bouldering 101 course is designed to cover the fundamentals of good climbing technique and terminology. You’ll get lots of time practicing movement on the wall with one of our instructors. This course is generally geared towards people who climb at or below a V1-2 level (orange tape or lower) and includes those who have never climbed before.
The 2 hour program is a great introduction to bouldering. You will be in a group of 5 and our coach will help introduce you to the sport. Please arrive 10 minutes early with water and athletic wear, ready to climb.
The $45+tax includes rental shoes but the charge DOES NOT include your admission for the day (so you will need to have a day pass, punch card, or membership).
Spaces are limited; if we are at capacity please call us to be added to a wait list. This program is for beginners to the sport. Participants must be 16+.
MEET OUR COACHES
Hi and welcome to boulder 101! My name is Josué Kurke and I will be one of your coaches for Bouldering 101. I have been climbing for almost 4 years and last year I drove across the U.S. and Canada for a 6 week long climbing road trip. I have a degree in math from the University of Waterloo and have been climbing at GRR since 2020. I am passionate about teaching and currently am also the assistant head coach for the Rubble Rebels program.
Hello, my name is Zack Mason, and I’m a coach for Bouldering 101. I started climbing back in 2011, when Grand River Rocks opened, and I fell in love with bouldering. Shortly after, I joined GRR’s youth team. I am proficient in Olympic weightlifting having earned a silver medal in the 2017 Junior National Championships, and a gold medal in the 2019 Senior Provincial Championships. I love the playful and problem solving nature of climbing. While I mainly climb indoors I do have some outdoor experience climbing at Red Rocks Park. I have a passion for climbing, coaching, and growing the climbing community! I look forward to introducing you to this wonderful sport!
Ready to get started?
Next Class: Monday, April 20 @ 6-8pm with Coach Zack
Our Ropes 101 course is designed for climbers who love climbing on top rope and are looking for guidance on how to improve. You’ll get lots of time practicing movement on the wall with one of our instructors. This course is geared towards people who have their belay certification and are comfortable top rope climbing.
The 2 hour program provides climbers with basic training to take your climbing to new heights. You will be in a group of up to 4 other climbers, allowing some 1-on-1 time with our coach. Please arrive 10 minutes early with water and athletic wear, ready to climb.
The $45+tax includes rental shoes but the charge DOES NOT include your admission for the day (so you will need to have a day pass, punch card, or membership).
Spaces are limited; if we are at capacity please call us to be added to a wait list. This program is for climbers who are belay certified and are comfortable belaying and climbing on top rope. Participants must be 16+.
MEET OUR COACH
My name is Josué Kurke and I am one of the coaches at Grand River Rocks. I have been climbing for almost 4 years and last year I drove across the U.S. and Canada for a 6 week long climbing road trip. I have a degree in math from the University of Waterloo and have been climbing at GRR since 2020. I am passionate about teaching and currently am enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier University for a Bachelor’s in Education.
The Lead course is designed to teach pairs of climbers safety practices and procedures when climbing in a lead and lead/belay situation.
Skills learned through this class are practical for climbing indoors and outdoors. Participants must be 13 years or older.
Pricing Part 1: LEAD CLIMBING COURSE (6 hours): $190 per person for a 2-person lesson $255 per person for a 1-person lesson (but must provide partner who is already certified) Includes two 3 hour classes Participants must have their own rope, grigri, and locking carabiner Participants must be able to easily climb a 5.10 in our gym **A partner with maximum 25% weight difference** Your weight x 1.25 = maximum weight of partner Your weight / 1.25 = minimum weight of partner Participants must be Top-Rope certified at GRR Optional part 2: OUTDOOR SKILLS CLASS (2.5 hours): $90 per person for a 2-person lesson $120 per person for a 1-person lesson This class covers content related to lead climbing outdoors but takes place inside the gym.
LEAD CLIMBING REFRESHER COURSE (charged by the hour): $30 per person per hour for a 2-person lesson
Participants must have their own rope, grigri, and locking carabiner Feeling a little rusty? For this class, we charge by the hour and create a course tailored to your needs. Whether you need one hour, or three, this course will get you back to feeling confident in your lead climbing skills. This course is designed for 2 people. The course will end in a lead climbing re-test to make sure you’re ready to be set free in the gym again! (The test is free and will not be included in the course time) *this course is intended for people who already have a lead certification at GRR and need a refresher*
All prices excluding HST
Price does not include gym entrance fee (must have daypass or membership)
TO APPLY TO TAKE THE LEAD COURSE, PLEASE FILL OUT OUR ONLINE APPLICATION.
The lead test is approximately half an hour in length, and must be booked in advance. To book a lead test, email us at kitchener@grandriverrocks.com.
ZACK MASON Zack is one of our coaches for Bouldering 101 and has been enthusiastically defying gravity since 2011, when Grand River Rocks first opened its doors and accidentally sparked his lifelong obsession with bouldering. Not long after discovering climbing, Zack joined GRR’s youth team, where he spent his time scaling walls and developing an impressive tolerance for chalk in every pocket he owns. When Zack isn’t climbing, he channels his strength into Olympic weightlifting. He earned a silver medal at the 2017 Junior National Championships and later upgraded his hardware collection with a gold medal at the 2019 Senior Provincial Championships. Zack loves the playful, problem-solving nature of climbing. While he mainly climbs indoors, he has ventured outside to tackle the beautiful rock at Red Rocks Park. Zack is excited about climbing, coaching, and growing the climbing community!
Private Coaching
2 HR SESSION | $100+tax Paid entrance not included
Improve your climbing skills with personal attention from one of our coaches. Whether your focus is bouldering, or top-rope, our coach will work with your specific needs to get you to the next level in climbing.
The first hour of your first lesson will be your assessment and completing your intake form. You will be assigned personalized homework (climbing drills and workouts) each week to practice your skills. Our coach will log your progress and tailor each lesson accordingly.
