Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: suspectmonkey on March 29, 2010
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Was wondering if any one would be interested in starting a climbing course at Ozone in Belfast? There is a 6 week course which will run the week commencing 12th April and there are two categories; Adult Beginners and Adult Improvers. The classes last 90 minutes and I assume that all the gear you need is provided, although would need to check that before hand. The price is £58.50 for the entire course which isn’t bad for a total of 9 hours tuition. More information can be found here. (http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/leisurecentres/tenniscentre/climbingcourses.asp#beginner)
There are two time slots available Mon – Fri; 6.30pm – 8pm and 8pm – 9.30pm. I’m not sure how other people would be fixed but Monday and Wednesday nights are out for me, so I would be hoping to do either the Tuesday or Thursday slots. From the website it also looks like you can book private classes for a minimum of 6 people at the same price, so if the starting date don’t suit we can always contact them and see if we can book as a private group at a time that suits best.
Every one welcome, lemme know if you are interested!
Attendees so far:
suspectmonkey
J
MikeD + 1
MG1
Kat
Billy Backpack
666_pack
bill2rhino
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I'm in - Tuesdays would be awesome! Obviously I'd be very much in the beginner/terrified category ::)
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Im also gonna give them a call today to get registered before the places all go. Tuesdays suits me too.
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Count me in, i'm in j's class the shiting yourself class.
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We're going to try and get enough people together for a private class if you want to hold off calling them. Think we only need 6 and already potentially have 4.
Im also gonna give them a call today to get registered before the places all go. Tuesdays suits me too.
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roger
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I did one of those last year, worked out pretty well as there was only me and another girl signed up and she hardly ever went so it was pretty much one to one "tuition". They are good but Its more 90mins of messing about on the wall than actually learning to climb. You will learn a figure 8 knot and depending how many go how to belay. I would recomend however that If your planning to get into climbing in anyway get a pair of rockshoes now, It'll make things so much easier than climbing in trainners for 6weeks!
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Tuesdays would work out well for me, and I think Kat will probably be up for this as well. So that would give us 6 people already.
I would also be in the Beginner category. I dont like heights much, although I've done a few abseils. I'm just looking to have some fun, learn some basic rope stuff and build my confidence.
Chris, dont even mention buying more kit :P I'm already considering a wet suit after Saturday :D
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It'll be good to know some more people that can belay!
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i did that a few years ago and loved it but unfortunately i couldnt do it now as they dont call me chunky trunks for nothing
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I think this sounds great, I'll go!
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I have another person who wants to sign up for the climbing wall, for Tue nights, so maybe we have enough now!
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Yep, Billy Backpack wants to do it too so we could have plenty.
I have another person who wants to sign up for the climbing wall, for Tue nights, so maybe we have enough now!
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room for one more?
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I don't think there's a limit to group size.
room for one more?
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even better ;D
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I've amended the first post with the names of those who want to go. Any more names to add to the list?
What way do we want to do this then? Tuesday nights seems to suit everyone, is there any particular time slot? Personally I'd find it easier to get to Belfast for 8pm rather than 6.30pm but I can make it work either way.
Also do we want to see if we can get our own class, or if the 12th April suits everyone for a start date will we just try and book on to the course on the website? I'm happy enough to give Ozone a call to get the details and sort it out, but I will be away for a week come Saturday so would really need to be phoning them tomorrow or Friday if we want booked on to one of those courses.
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Tue at 8 suits me fine. May as well try and get a class with just us in it if it's possible.
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Tue at 8 suits me fine. May as well try and get a class with just us in it if it's possible.
Will we still go for a start date of 13th April if it suits everyone? Thats assuming they can run a private class on the same date/time as they have an open class scheduled. Mind you they seem to have classes scheduled just about every night so I cant see that being a problem.
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Suits me
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Suits me too, thanks for organising it monkey man ;)
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Think me and kendog would be up for the improver course, good to get a few of us like this together and learning new skills. I think the mobile team canoe guys do a course also for anyone interested.
Chris on the improvers course do they go into detail and practice with quick draws, nuts or chams that's what I would like to get some practice with?
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I havn't done improvers course but seein as its an indoor wall I think the most you would handle is quickdraws thats if they even let you lead. You'd prob be better giving them a ring. I think your looking for a learning to lead course imo you'd be better checking out the tullymore site and get on one there, other wise, (how I did it) Stick a post on The likes of UKC, northern climbers, climbing.ie and see if anyone is looking a partner second with them for a while then move onto leading.
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Jon 8 suits me to mate. I'm happy with class too. But i'm easy what ever the group decides i'm in.
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Hi guys, sorry its taken me a while to post but with being away in Scotland I'm only getting myself organised and back to work today!
I phoned Ozone and the scheduled classes were all fully booked. However, because we have 8 people interested they should be able to put on a private class. Ozone have given me an e-mail address for the guy who takes the classes, so I'm just waiting on him replying to give me some further details.
So the start date is still TBC, but once I know more I will post up. Sorry again for taking awhile to get back to everyone about this!
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No worries mate. How did you get on with the west highland way?
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No worries mate. How did you get on with the west highland way?
WHW was truly amazing! Awesome route, and even just 8 days of walking and camping can be extremely refreshing! Will post up a bit more info on the route and some photos at some stage, but I'd highly recommend it and I would definitely do it again myself :)
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I meant to say to you fellas yesterday that I heard back from the guy who runs the climbing courses at Ozone. He can arrange a class from 6.30pm - 8pm on Tuesdays. Unfortunately 8pm - 9.30pm isn't available as it clashes with another class at the moment. No start date arranged yet, but I assume we could get things underway in the next week or two if everyone is agreeable on the time.
So how does 6.30pm - 8pm suit everyone? Probably handy for any one who works in Belfast and can go there straight from work rather than having to go home.
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Suits me ok - thanks.
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Can I jump on the band wagon?? :-*
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Is good for me too
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Good for me too
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when do we start?
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when do we start?
I e-mailed the guy who organises the courses back to say we are all good for Tuesdays 6.30 - 8pm so just waiting on him getting back with a start date. Hoping it will be in next couple of weeks but will post up as soon as I hear anything.
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Do you know if we need to pay in advance or just weekly? Also what's our minimum number?
when do we start?
I e-mailed the guy who organises the courses back to say we are all good for Tuesdays 6.30 - 8pm so just waiting on him getting back with a start date. Hoping it will be in next couple of weeks but will post up as soon as I hear anything.
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Will find out about payment, honestly not sure yet. Minimum group size is 6, and I'm waiting to hear back if there is a maximum group size. I think we are okay for the 6 at least, even if some body can't make it.
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Bit of an update on this guys. I have been speaking to Paul from Mountaineering Ireland who I believe arranges the coaching, and Michael who is the Assistant Manager at Ozone. The general consensus is that it’s probably a bit too far into the current block of dates to start up a new class for us at the moment. Basically we would only get to do 4-5 classes rather than the full 6.
The next block of classes are due to start first week in June, and they are happy to reserve the Tuesday 6.30pm – 8pm slot for us which would be the 1st June. I don’t know how this date works for everyone, but I guess it would give the CMD Arete folks a chance to get that trip done and dusted first.
There is one thing we need to sort out though. Michael says they will put the class on to their booking system from 16th May. Normally for a private group booking they would expect the full amount paid up front in advance. I explained this isn’t really practical for us as we aren’t always available to meet up at the same time. The course cost for an adult is £58.50 which includes hire of the gear and 6x 1 ½ classes. We basically have three options:
1. Everyone who wants to go meets up at the Ozone week commencing 16th May and pays together. We would need to do this at the same time.
2. Anyone who wants to go forwards a cheque to me for the full amount. The cheque is made payable to Ozone and I deliver all the cheques to them to pay off the course in one go. That way no one needs to worry about me legging it with your hard earned cash :D
3. We just all book on to an open class individually and pay separately. There is a chance though the class may be fully booked and some of us might not get on to it.
I know this all sounds like a bit of a hassle, and I do apologise but I’m just the middle man trying to sort it out :) I can understand why Ozone want to do it this way as well because I guess they don’t want to go arranging a class and organising for a coach to come down and then no one turns up.
Let me know your thoughts!
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I can totally understand your position and you shouldn't worry or apologise, We had the same issues when trying to get the Nevis trip organised.
The best thing to do imo is work on the principle of the cut off date for fees as you have suggested and meet at the ozone (or other pre-arranged venue if it's more convienient) and sort out the money. That way there is no ambiguity as to who's in or not and it also relieves you of the responsibility of being the treasurer !
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Your doin a grand job monk!! My cheque should be winging its way to you this very week ....really looking forward to the course!
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I'm going to give Michael from Belfast City Council a call tomorrow to arrange a date/time we can meet up at Ozone to pay for the class. It should be sometime around the week starting 16th May. I guess it would be logical to try and meet at 6.30pm on the Tuesday which is the time we are wanting to run the class at. I'm assuming that would suit most people so I will check with Ozone to see if it suits them.
I'm also happy to take cheques on behalf of any one who cant make it. The cheque needs to be made payable to Belfast City Council for the amount of £58.50. If you send me a private message I will send you my postal address to mail the cheques to.
Think that should cover us :)
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How long before the course do they need the money? Would it be practical to sort you with the dollars at the weekend camp on the 8th?
I'm going to give Michael from Belfast City Council a call tomorrow to arrange a date/time we can meet up at Ozone to pay for the class. It should be sometime around the week starting 16th May. I guess it would be logical to try and meet at 6.30pm on the Tuesday which is the time we are wanting to run the class at. I'm assuming that would suit most people so I will check with Ozone to see if it suits them.
I'm also happy to take cheques on behalf of any one who cant make it. The cheque needs to be made payable to Belfast City Council for the amount of £58.50. If you send me a private message I will send you my postal address to mail the cheques to.
Think that should cover us :)
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How long before the course do they need the money? Would it be practical to sort you with the dollars at the weekend camp on the 8th?
The course would need paid by the 18th May, which is two weeks before the class starts. If any one wants to sort out the money at the weekend camp that suits me as well.
Cheques would still be preferable as it gives people the extra security of knowing I'm not going to run off with your money :D Although if you see me turning up at the next weekender with a brand new tent, sleeping bag and some titanium goodies you will know where the money came from ;D
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Unfortunately Suspectmonkey can't do this now due to an injury. I'm still keen to get it booked and get up there. Can we have another show of hands from people who are still interested.
I'm in obviously.
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I'm still in.
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Do we know whats happening with this yet?
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This got away from us a bit as I've been a bit swamped.
General consensus at the mo is that we all get harnesses and have Chris show us the ropes at the O-Zone rather than all doing a full 6 week course. The thinking is that rather than spending the £80 on lessons we buy the basic gear and just abuse Chris' good nature ::)
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Sounds good to me mate. Any dates in mind yet?
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I'm good to go, just need get a harness and put Chris in a good mood :P
Maybe we should have a comunal harness fitting night down at Cotswolds.
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I got my harness and a few basic bits. I'll talk nice to Lisa and see if i can get a pair of Rock shoes.
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I might actually be okay for this. Was at the doc's on Friday and the xray of my elbow doesn't look as bad as originally thought, just have to wait on seeing the orthopaedic consultant now so can get the green light to have my bionic arm returned to normal ;) At end of day if it is too painful to do then at least I wouldn't have to drop out of a 6 week course...