New to climbing?
Here’s some essential information to help you make the most of your bouldering session.
Bouldering is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced climber, you'll easily find your place in this exciting and welcoming environment.
Bouldering is a discipline practiced on relatively low walls, typically less than 5 meters (about 15 feet) high. Unlike other types of climbing, it doesn’t require ropes or harnesses. Instead, large mats are placed on the ground to ensure the climbers' safety.
The focus is on physical strength, technique, and strategy. Climbers must solve climbing 'problems'—short but intense routes that involve precise hand and foot holds. These challenges require creativity and precision, as each move must be perfectly executed to reach the top.
To get started, all you need is sportswear and closed-toe shoes. Opt for comfortable, flexible clothing that won't restrict your movement. Sport pants or leggings are a great choice.
To take your performance to the next level, using magnesia and climbing shoes is highly recommended. Magnesia, a fine white powder, helps dry your hands and reduce sweat, significantly improving your grip on the wall. Similarly, climbing shoes provide better precision and control over your feet on holds.
You can purchase chalk and rent climbing shoes directly on-site.
No, bouldering is primarily an accessible sport that involves climbing on low walls. Unlike other types of climbing, it requires no ropes or harnesses, and most importantly, no prior certification. The climbing surface, known as a 'boulder,' is just under 15 feet high, allowing for a safe fall onto the large mats placed on the ground.
Yes, all participants must first complete the online waiver. For climbers under 18, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the waiver.
To save time on-site, we recommend completing the form before your visit. This way, you can maximize your session and spend more time climbing. The good news is that thewaiver can be filled out anytime from your mobile device.
Yes, children are welcome. However, it's important to adhere to the following ratios:
Ages 2 to 7 : Children must be accompanied by an adult, with a required ratio of 1 adult per child. The adult must supervise the child at all times, and please note that the child is not permitted to climb the wall.
Ages 8 to 12: Children must always be accompanied by an adult, with a required ratio of 1 adult to 1 child. However, the adult may climb when the child is not climbing. If the adult does not plan to climb, they may accompany up to 2 children aged 8 to 12 at the same time.
Finally, please remember that children must have the waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Looking to climb stronger?
Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals.
Yes, warming up is crucial before a climbing session for both safety and performance reasons. While it might be tempting to dive right in, taking a few minutes to properly prepare your body is essential. A proper warm-up not only reduces the risk of injury but also enhances how you feel and perform throughout the session.
Brute strength alone isn't enough in climbing. In fact, technique is what truly makes the difference—it allows you to climb more efficiently while conserving energy.
First and foremost, learn to use your feet effectively. Many novice climbers focus too much on their arms and overlook the importance of solid ground support. To progress, focus on proper foot positioning and rely on your legs to push, rather than pulling with your arms. This will help conserve energy and reduce muscle fatigue.
Next, focus on your body positioning. By adopting optimized postures, like trunk pivoting, you'll distribute your weight more evenly. Additionally, techniques such as the pendulum or active rest help reduce muscle tension, allowing you to climb more relaxed and efficiently.
Finally, don’t forget to master dynamic movements and fluid motion. Explosive actions, like jumps or fast climbs, demand coordination and agility. To improve efficiency, focus on linking smoother movements and eliminating unnecessary ones.
Flexibility is crucial for reaching holds and executing smoother, more efficient movements.
Begin by regularly stretching your hamstrings, hips, shoulders, and wrists. These targeted stretches will help you reach farther, enhance your range of motion, and significantly reduce the risk of injury.
In addition, incorporating yoga or joint mobility exercises into your routine can enhance both flexibility and stability. Over time, this will improve your control and ease of movement on the wall, offering a significant boost to your climbing progress.
Managing fatigue in bouldering is key to maximizing performance, preventing injuries, and making the most of your session. While bouldering routes are short in height, they can be physically intense especially on the fingers, forearms, and core. Here are some effective strategies to help manage fatigue during your session :
What sets The Nomad apart from other climbing gyms is that, of course, we climb outdoors!
That’s why we've gathered answers to the most commonly asked questions about our unique facilities.
As an outdoor climbing gym, our opening hours depend on the weather. For instance, the gym stays open during light rain, but we temporarily close in the event of thunderstorms or heavy rain lasting several hours.
To keep you updated, we provide real-time information about our opening status and any weather-related updates on our Facebook page. Feel free to check it anytime.
If your climbing session is interrupted by weather changes and lasts less than an hour, you will be compensated as follows :
Yes, we offer various discounts to make climbing affordable for everyone.
We offer a discount on weekday day passes, allowing you to climb at a reduced rate during the quieter weekday hours. This is a great opportunity if you have a flexible schedule and want to enjoy a more peaceful climbing experience. Additionally, we understand that students often have limited budgets, which is why we offer special discounted rates for students all summer.
In addition, we offer special subscription promotions at various times throughout the year, often tied to seasonal events or specific campaigns. To stay updated and ensure you don’t miss out on these exclusive offers, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter.
Yes, we welcome groups and offer a variety of turnkey entertainment packages to suit your needs. Our packages include, but are not limited to, the following options :
Our team can work with any budget. Whether you're looking for a simple experience or a more elaborate event with a private marquee and catering, we can tailor everything to meet your expectations. For more information, feel free to contact us at info@nomadbloc.com
Yes, we offer a variety of snacks on-site, including grilled cheese, quesadillas, granola bars, cookies, and frozen treats—perfect for satisfying your cravings after a climbing session. We also have a selection of refreshing beverages to quench your thirst.
You're welcome to bring your own food. Personal meals are allowed on-site, so feel free to enjoy your lunch right here.
Yes, we have portable toilets on-site. In addition, full restroom facilities with flush toilets and running water are available on the esplanade, just a two-minute walk away. Everything you need for your comfort is easily accessible.