Do you have a child who likes climbing? Should you send your kid for rock climbing or bouldering lessons? We share our experience at Singapore's Outpost Climbing, and what you need to know about children's climbing lessons, including age, expectations and insights.
For those who follow my blog or Instagram, you've likely seen my two girls climbing at Outpost Climbing. We've been visiting since it was T-hall, back when my girls were in primary school, and we love its iconic Fun Zone, which I’ve recommended on my blog for a while. Now Outpost Climbing (a partnership between T-hall and The Rock School), we are still visiting this climbing gym and my girls have started climbing lessons there.
Both my girls love climbing, but we never considered enrolling them in lessons until Big E asked if she could sign up for proper climbing lessons. During a Fun Zone visit, I enquired about Outpost Climbing's Step Up classes. After deciding the lessons would be beneficial for Big E and fit perfectly into our schedule, we signed our girls up.
At the beginning, Little E wasn't sure if she wanted to take lessons. However, after her first Step Up lesson, she enjoyed it so much that she wanted to continue with her sister. Since then, she looked forward to every lesson. My girls have now completed the 16-lesson, three-module Step Up programme and are currently in Outpost Climbing's Step Up! Climbing Club (SUCC), which I'll share more later.
If your child shows interest in climbing but you're unsure about signing them up for lessons, I hope my sharing of our experience and our interview with Outpost Climbing's expert will help you make your decision.
(Disclaimer: This post is a partial collaboration with Outpost Climbing. We fully paid for our girls' Step Up lessons, while their first few SUCC lessons were sponsored by Outpost Climbing. My girls are enjoying their SUCC lessons and currently still attending SUCC at our own cost. As always, all opinions are ours.)
What is the Step Up! Coaching Programme (Step Up)
Step Up is a three-module coaching programme designed and curated by The Rock School, a pioneer in children’s and youth developmental climbing coaching programmes in Singapore.
Step Up has three modules - Grade 1,2 and 3 – that focus on mastering the basics before optimising for performance. The coursework has been refined over more than ten years since 2012 by sports science and youth development professionals. Graduates of the programme have gone on to excel nationally and represent Singapore on the world stage as part of the national climbing team.
Step Up is suitable for those aged 7 to 16 years old. Lessons are 1.5 hours each and are held weekly at fixed times, with sessions available on most days of the week.
At the time of writing, the fees are as follows:
Grade 1 (4 lessons): S$235 or 320 Outpost credits (around S$228.50)
Grade 2 (4 lessons): S$235 or 320 Outpost credits (around S$228.50)
Grade 3 (8 lessons): S$455 or 630 Outpost credits (around S$450).
Outpost Climbing has also recently introduced Step Up! Junior Coaching for children aged 4-7 years old, allowing younger ones to learn new climbing techniques and skills in a fun and exciting way. For more details on this programme for the younger ones, visit Outpost Climbing's website.
What we like about Step Up
Although I don't climb or attend lessons with my girls, I see them eagerly looking forward to their Step Up lessons with their coach (shout out to Coach Jannah!). The class size is small, with a maximum of four participants, ensuring sufficient individual attention for everyone. In fact, my girls were often the only ones in their time slot. Their coach follows them throughout their Step Up journey, with stand-in coaches stepping in only occasionally, ensuring proper follow-up and monitoring of their progress.
The course has helped my girls build a strong climbing foundation and acquire the right techniques and skills needed to tackle rock and bouldering walls safely, while enjoying the activity. It also opens up the possibility of competitive climbing for them in the future.
Since completing Step Up, I've seen my girls go from strength to strength. During leisure climbing, they'd proudly show me the dynamic movements they've learned to execute on bouldering walls—their sense of achievement and the confidence they've developed are evident. Climbing is also great exercise for them, especially since they can be quite inactive with hobbies like video gaming and reading.
Another aspect I appreciate about learning climbing at Outpost Climbing is that it offers an entire climbing ecosystem under one roof. After Step Up, your child can continue learning with a coach and improve targeted areas in the Step Up Climbing Club (SUCC), which my girls are now part of. They can also aim for the competitive team if they want to in the future (more on that later).
We also appreciate the newly renovated environment at Outpost Climbing. Those taking lessons and leisure climbing at the Climb Zone on the third floor - where there are over 40 high wall lanes and a dedicated boulder wall - have access to a cozy lounge. It's a comfortable area with chairs, furniture, lockers, cubby holes for your bags, water coolers, and toilets.
The service at Outpost Climbing is excellent—the staff are knowledgeable, helpful, and accommodating, which is one reason we've been visiting for so many years. We also love the central location at Singapore's Lavender area, where many quaint and interesting eateries are within walking distance.
What to take note before going for Step Up
If you're considering taking Step Up lessons, do note that each grade must be completed on a pre-agreed schedule—Grade 1 and 2 consist of four lessons each, while Grade 3 has eight lessons. We completed each grade on consecutive weeks, but Outpost Climbing was kind enough to accommodate our request to skip a week due to PSLE. So, be aware that lessons are typically held on consecutive weeks, and you'll want to ensure your schedule can accommodate this before committing.
Alternatively, you can look out for Outpost Climbing's Step Up crash courses, which are usually held during school holidays. You can check their website for current lesson schedules and enquire if they can start a new class for you, if you have at least two participants signing up.
The booking system on their website is very convenient, and I highly recommend using the Outpost credit system (S$200 gets you 280 Outpost credits) if you're planning to attend lessons or continue climbing for leisure. It's slightly cheaper to book by credits. If you encounter any issues with your booking, you can always WhatsApp them, and they are often quick to assist.
What we like about SUCC
As mentioned, my girls have graduated to the Step Up Climbing Club (SUCC). My girls are in the SUCC for secondary school students (there is a separate one for primary school students). Their lesson is two hours long and the class size remains small, with a maximum of four participants. Here's the feedback from my girls on SUCC:
"We like how SUCC lets us focus on things we want to, like dynamic movements. Our coach gives us tips on how to improve techniques. The coach's expectations is also higher because we've already done the basics. Two hours can be tiring, but it is still manageable and enjoyable. Compared to Step Up which taught us the basics, SUCC is more focused on what we want to learn and is also more challenging."
My girls are enjoying SUCC under Coach Faith. For now, they don't have plans to go competitive, but it's good to know that there is such an option and possibility under Outpost Climbing's Youth Team Training Centre if they want to.
You can book SUCC classes on Outpost Climbing's website whenever you want to go for lessons. Unlike Step Up, where you have to commit to a certain number of lessons, you don't have to with SUCC. So, on days when my girls don't feel up for lessons due to a tiring school week, we just skip for the week. However, most times, they are still keen to go at least once every fortnight.
SUCC can only be booked with Outpost credits which can be purchased through Outpost Climbing's website. At the time of writing, the SUCC lesson for secondary school students costs 80 credits per pax, which is around S$57. Do enquire with Outpost Climbing if you'd like to find out more about the SUCC for primary school students.
More insights
We ask Chong Zedong, Director of Outpost Climbing and The Rock School for more insights, including the best age to start climbing, the commitment needed for children considering competitive climbing, and for those who start climbing in their teens (like my girls), is it too late to go competitive.
Vivian: What options are there for those who wish to pursue climbing competitively?
Zedong: Outpost Climbing is a one-stop climbing destination for everyone, including those looking for a robust coaching ecosystem. Through our Step Up! Coaching Programme, children learn to climb, refine techniques, and master their movements. For those who wish to pursue competitive climbing, the next step is to try out for the Youth Team Training Centre's (YTTC) competitive climbing team through selection trials.
YTTC, rooted in The Rock School—Singapore's pioneer in youth climbing coaching—is Singapore’s first youth competitive climbing team. Located within Outpost Climbing, YTTC boasts a dedicated training space exclusively for its team, which features modern scientific apparatus and methodologies. This dedicated facility, a first in Singapore and fourth globally, contrasts with other gyms’ climbing teams that share space with the public.
V: I got a tour of the training space and it does look impressive! What do you suggest for those who have completed Step Up but are unsure if they want to pursue climbing competitively?
Z: Outpost Climbing offers two pathways: the competitive and non-competitive. Those opting for the latter can join our Step Up! Climbing Club (SUCC). This flexible programme allows children to continue climbing under a coach’s guidance while further developing their skills, strength, and endurance in a fun, supportive, and enriching environment. The goal is to keep climbing enjoyable and maintain long-term interest and passion for the sport.
V: After completing Step Up, my girls climb leisurely at Outpost Climbing every now and then, while still going for SUCC lessons. Where do climbers usually move on to after SUCC?
Z: The Step Up! Coaching Programme, including SUCC, lays a strong foundation in climbing. Besides skill refinement and mastery, Outpost Climbing organises experiential modules during school holidays, such as abseiling and lead climbing, to retain long-term interest and passion for the sport.
After SUCC, students often climb recreationally with family and friends at Outpost Climbing and other gyms with their skills and foundations developed through our Step Up! Coaching Programme. Those aged 13 and above can also learn belaying through our Singapore National Climbing Standards (SNCS) belay courses, certified by the Singapore Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Federation.
V: Is there a best or recommended age to start learning climbing?
Z: Climbing is inclusive, welcoming participants of all ages and needs. While there is no “best” age, starting young provides an advantage if done progressively and with a proper foundation.
At Outpost Climbing, climbers as young as 24 months can explore our Level 1 Fun Zone, featuring boulder walls and interactive augmented reality features.
For those interested in structured learning, we offer coaching classes for children aged 4 to 16.
Our newly launched Step Up! Junior programme is designed specifically for children aged 4 to 7. Adapted from the Step Up! Coaching Programme for ages 7 to 16, it incorporates games and activities to make learning both fun and effective. Each child's progress is tracked through a personalised progress card, ensuring steady development in a supportive environment.
V: What about the best or recommended age to start learning climbing if my child wants to consider competing?
Z: There is no specific age to start climbing competitively. Many youths and young adults enter competitions even after starting the sport later in life. The key is building a strong foundation in techniques and physical readiness to handle the rigours of competition. Outpost Climbing’s Step Up! Coaching Programme ensures climbers develop this foundation effectively.
V: So, for kids who started in their tweens and teens (like my girls), it is not considered too late for them to compete?
Z: Not at all! Many talented climbers have started in their teenage years and gone on to excel in local and international competitions. Age is not a barrier to competitive success.
V: Wow, it’s good to know that it’s not too late for my girls if they decide to try for the YTTC! What are some of the climbing competitions children and teens can join?
Z: Singapore hosts numerous climbing competitions annually. These include:
National Primary Schools Sport Climbing Championships which is open to Primary 3 to 6 students, with an age dispensation form available for Primary 1 and 2 students; Inter-School Bouldering Competition that's tailored for secondary school students; university competitions through events like SMU Gravical, NUS Boulderactive, and NTU Transend that are open to the public.
There are also in-house competitions. Various climbing gyms organise competitions throughout the year, offering opportunities for climbers of all levels to participate.
V: For children in competitive climbing or for those in your Youth Team Training Centre (YTTC), how much time and commitment is required of one?
Z: The amount of time and commitment varies among individuals, and it is crucial to balance training with other activities to avoid burnout and injury. While we cannot speak for all competitive climbers, those with YTTC generally train once or twice a week.
V: How often should children practice climbing for leisure to avoid getting “rusty”?
Z: We recommend climbing once a week for progression, as consistent practice is key to skill mastery. The skills and knowledge learned through Step Up! Grades 1 to 3 are non-comprehensive, and continuous practice helps reinforce and refine these abilities. This practice may be done either during our SUCC sessions or climbing independently.
V: You mentioned a SNCS climbing certification programme. How is this different from Step Up, and who should explore this?
Z: The SNCS climbing certification programme is for individuals seeking to learn belaying, lead climbing, and multi-pitch climbing. Unlike Step Up, which focuses on climbing techniques and skills, SNCS courses teach technical skills and knowledge to ensure safe belaying and climbing.
SNCS courses are open to participants aged 13 and above, including parents who wish to belay their children during personal climbing sessions. This option allows families to climb together outside of structured classes.
V: Thank you for your insights, Zedong!
Outpost Climbing is located at 464, Crawford Lane, Unit 01-464, Singapore 190464. Contact them at +65 9832 7656. For more information on Outpost Climbing's programmes and courses, and their fees, do visit their website!
©Vivian Teo. All content and photos are copyrighted to Vivian Teo unless otherwise specified.
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