Stephanie’s climbing journey

Stephanie Edwards shared a bit about her climbing journey since joining our Women’s Boulder Social (previously called Women’s Night) in Glasgow. If you’re looking for a way to meet other climbers, our clubs are a perfect way to start.

Getting started

I first joined the Women’s Night in 2021. I’d climbed off and on for years and had fallen into a routine of only climbing with my partner, Angus. I was looking to meet some new friends, find other women who want to climb, and up my skills in a comfortable environment.

From my first visit, I was hooked. Immediately I felt welcome and encouraged by the other women. I was having more fun, which took the pressure off my climbing, and unsurprisingly meant that I started climbing stronger than ever!

Taking the next steps

I knew that I wanted to start climbing outdoors as well so I first took some belaying classes at TCA and also a lead course.

Nat the instructor went above and beyond. She took me under her wing and taught me heaps about climbing outdoors and indoors. From the outset she invited me to join trips climbing outside and come cragging. She’s been instrumental in encouraging me to learn, to climb more and climb harder and has been a fundamental to my journey as a climber.

Feeling confident

Since that first women’s night session, I now climb confidently outdoors leading on sport/trad, doing multi-pitches and hope that I can now help encourage other young women that join the women’s sessions.

L: Sport climbing at Weem. Centre: Nat and Stephanie trad climbing at Logie Head, R: Trad climbing in Glen Nevis (Polldubh). Main image: Bouldering at Bowden Doors

Join the fun

IN GLASGOW




Clubs: It can be nerve-wracking starting a new sport or entering a space where you don't know anyone. The Women's Boulder Social is a welcoming group for women and non-binary people to climb together, share tips, improve skills, but importantly just to have fun. We also 
host a Queer Climbing Social. 




Courses: If you'd like to gain skills you could sign up for our Roped Beginners' course. We also run Learn to Lead and Movement and Technique for new boulderers. 




IN BRISTOL




Clubs: We run a Women's Boulder Social at The Mothership in Bristol. See all clubs. 



Courses: Check out Courses to see all your options at our 3 Southwest centres. 




OUR COMMUNITY




If you have any questions about TCA clubs or courses, contact your local centre. While don't have a club for every group, our community is super welcoming of new people, so don't be afraid to just rock up.