Taking up climbing/bouldering at nearly 50

[Marrongrass]

I really miss climbing! I was never any good at it, scared of heights, went sporadically in my 30s. Now perimenopausal, plump, tired, but I just discovered a new bouldering centre not far from home, so I could find time, maybe go with DS11 for support/excuse...?

Looking for encouragement. I have no friends to go with. Worried I'll be twice the age of everyone else or the unfittest blob on the boulders. Anyone else started in their 40s?

Go for it! It'll be fun to go with your DS, you can go together. I assume they use freddos for beginners and take it from there.

My DP started bouldering in his 40s and I sometimes go along. I find it really hard though and I'm a bit scared of heights!

Even if you are one of the older ones, people are so focussed on their own climbing no one will be looking at you or anything like that.

Me! Never climbed before, had become an inactive lump and started climbing in my early 40s. Loving it. Have found it a really supportive un judgemental environment (I am rubbish but no one makes me feel bad for it and I enjoy the climbing so don’t care about my lack of skill)

lots of walls have female nights/find climbing partner nights (more relevant for roped climbing than bouldering) so don’t worry about not having someone to go with. Going with your child might be nice byway as if they enjoy it it gives you an activity you can do together/bond through.

I’d recommend just going along and seeing how you feel about it… I love how it makes me forget everything else that is going on in life, and has made me fit without it feeling like exercising!

Ds has taken up climbing and I watch. The place he goes has got such a gorgeous vibe. It’s friendly and inclusive. I love watching and am seriously considering giving it a go

there are literally all sorts who climb. Young, old some in jeans some with fancy kit. It’s sort of quiet and chilled but really really welcoming. I love the climbing centre. I bet they’re all like that. Climbing types are lovely.

also, and this is an aside. Ds is neuro diverse and I also get that vibe from quite a few others in his class. I think it suits people who might be put off by the competitiveness or interaction of other sports.

Thank you for the encouraging responses! I remember those feelings, too, from when I tried climbing years ago. DS isn't into competitive sports, either, so I think it might suit him.

My wall has a women’s social one evening a week and there are an array of shapes, sizes, ability and age… everyone is so friendly!

Which is your local wall?

DH and DD(11) climb. I sometimes do a bit but am scared of heights. You are totally right about climbers being a lovely supportive bunch, I love hanging out at the wall

I started a quite physical different activity at 42. If you start something new, go slow to start and build up is what I'd suggest. Clear it with your doctor first possibly. You'll find that these days there are so many different people of all ages, shapes and sizes doing sport.

Yes totally! I’m an ember of a local women’s adventure club and they have just done an intro to bouldering and lots of women in fifities went.