Qualified and Experienced Adventure Sports Instruction from Matt Hammersley
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Matt Hammersley
Outdoor pursuits instructor and keen outdoor enthusiast Matt Hammersley set up a range of guided outdoor adventure activities in 1991.
We have been instructing outdoor adventure activities since 1990 and we continue to offer qualified, experienced and professional instruction to local outdoor centres, management training centres, schools and individuals.
We are ideally situated to be able to offer activities within the local area, as well as further away. We have a fantastic area of natural beauty on our doorstep, with some of the best locations to kayak, canoe, climb and walk in the south-west. The majority of our activities take place in and around Symonds Yat, in the picturesque Wye Valley, and in the Forest of Dean.
We provide adventurous activities to all ages and abilities, to individuals, groups, businesses and families. Whether it's a days climbing for yourself and friends, or a taster session kayaking for a youth group, Matt Hammersley can accomodate all your needs.
We use top quality equipment designed for instructional use, and only qualified and experienced instructors.
We offer tailor made sessions from a half day taster to a four day mini expedition. It's all designed to give you an experience you will remember.
Latest News and Forthcoming Events
18.06.09. OUTDOOR AND FIRST AID COURSES JULY/AUG
Hey all,
hope the good weather is holding for you and the climbings good!
some news on courses up coming...
we have a first aid course due to be held in mid july exact dates to be confirmed but likely to be a thursday/friday. this course will be ideal for climbers, instructors etc and is reconised by all govening bodies regarding outdoors and also is suitable for those wishing to gain first aid knowledge or refresh their techniques, certificates qualifications etc. it will cost around £100 per person for a 2 day course held at the wild rock climbing wall northleach and will be hosted by stuart marshal from marlin training, one of the leaders of first aid training in the UK. please watch this space for confirmation of dates.
10 spaces available. camping on site available. for bookings please cantact matt asap!
LEARN2CLIMB OUTDOORS: AUGUST 1ST/2ND
An ideal course for novice climbers or for those wishing to develope their skills or transfer their indoor skills outdoors. This course includes setting up of belays, route finding, rescue skills, abseiling etc. its the first step for those wishing to climb outdoors and does not include lead climbing. it will be based on top roping skills and rope techniques as well as personal climbing.
Price: £110 per person for 2 days. 6 spaces available. ropes, harnesses, helmets and belay/karabiners etc can be provided, please bring your own rock boots although we do have a limited supply to hire out. the session will be run by matt. participants must have some prior climbing experience and be able to belay a climber safely. over 16's only. for accomodation please contact us.
for bookings please email us matt@learn2climb.com or phone on 07778 534124.
taster sessions are available, please give a shout, we only have limited days available until early july.
have fun, stay safe and use sunscreen!
best wishes
matt
23.05.09. COURSES, COMPETITIONS AND CHALLENGES...SUMMER 09
ahhhh suns out! and its a bank holiday - whats going on?
ok some quick news...
june 2nd - learn2climb indoors
course: spaces availabe on one of our indoor climbing courses to be held at wild rock climbing wall, 7pm - 9pm. this course is for those wishing to learn to climb indoors. its £60 per person, we have 4 places available -1:6 ratio student to instructor. matt will be running the course himself at the new climbing wall in northleach, nr cirencester, gloucestershire. its a 4 week course 4 x tuesday nights.
see www.wildrockclimbing.co.uk for directions, photos of the wall etc.
June 13th - wall opening boulder competition, bbq and 70's themed bouldering and climbing disco climbing session..yes thats right! break out the flares head bands old climbing boots and climb or boulder to the sounds of the 70's. we will have a competition during the day 20 set problems from easy to hard, with a bbq and a free climbing bouldering session in the evening to the sounds of the funky 70's with full on disco lights smoke machines etc etc to welcome everyone to the new wall. wild rock climbing centre northleach www.wildrockclimbing.co.uk
entry is £6 to the boulder comp, mens, womens, junior and vetrans classes. eve disco free. prizes sponsored by cotswold outdoors
starts 2pm onwards.
June 20/21st - mount everst challenge.
we will be running the world record attempt for climbing the height of everest on a climbing pole. the event will be held at head4heights in the cotswolds water park at south cerney. its all for charity to raise money for the innerflame charity. for more info or if you would liek to join in please see the special website www.mounteverestchallenge.com
we are also busy running lots of climbing taster sessions and courses outdoors on the real thing, if anyone would like to join us for a climb, needs some help with rigging or would like to further their climbing techniques please get in contact and we will be more than happy to accomodate you!
you can contact us either by the contacts page, or by phone on 07778 534124.
have fun all!
matt
06.05.09. NEW COURSES FOR SUMMER 09
Hi all, well back from 4 days fantastic surfing down in cornwall. photos to follow....
lots of folks have been emailing latley reguarding climbing courses so..
heres a list of some of courses planned for summer 09.
learn2climb indoors - our indoor based climbing courses for those wishing to get into the sport but in an indoor setting. covering equipment and rops skills. this can be held either at Wild Rock near Cirencester or The Warehouse in Gloucester. max 6.1 ratios
learn2climb first steps - a 3 hour taster session for those wishing try rock climbing for the first time, this course can be held indoors and outdoors and in a variety of locations. max 6.1 ratios
learn2climb rock - outdoor based courses for those who have climbed indoors and wish to learn to climb on real rock, or those who have climber previously and wish to refresh skills and get back into the sport.
max 6.1 ratios
learn2climb top rope - a half day or days course for those wishing to climb outdoors but not lead climb, learn how to place anchors, set up rigging ropes and use natural belays. one for the indoor climber wanting to start climbing outdoors safely with out lead climbing.
max 6.1 ratios
learn2climb on the lead - a weekends course for those wishing to climb outdoors on the sharp end of the rope. this course will be held by one of our experienced MIA instructors covering everything you will need to learn to lead climb outdoors placing natural gear, using natural belays advanced belay techniques and rope skills. max 4.1 ratios
learn2climb and abseil - covering rope techniques and skills for abseiling after arriving at the top of climbs. max 6.1 ratio
we also offer hen & stag parties, adult groups, family groups and individuals the chance to have a great fun day out climbing and abseiling. we can also offer custom courses and other activties.
please drop us aline for availability and prices.
have fun all!
matt
15.04.09. SUMMERS COMING
hi all!
hey, summers nearly here! yup thats right, its around the corner, spring has sprung, the clocks have given us an hours extra climbing in the evenings so get that rack sorted, fill your chalk bags, pack your ropes packed and hit the crag for some routes!
we would like to say good luck to Chris Wild and his new venture 'wild rock climbing wall'. It set in far peak business park in the nearby cotswolds' just outside the village of northleach, has some really fun bouldering and climbing by king kong climbing walls. its bright, funky and has had the first chalk marks and problems layed down by Vertex's Steve Woods, head4heights Rod Baber and yours truly during a quick blast one evenin' last week! its fun! we hope to be working with chris to develope his ideas, will be setting some routes and helping with some future competitions. Its small at present but perfectly formed and will give climbers somewhere new to climb and boulder, get that climbing fix after work, cruise some problems when you cant reach the crag and give locals a great winter training session venue. Chris also has camping on site for those wishing to stop over on the way to the wye valley and those looking to enjoy a days climbing indoors.
check his website out on http://wildrockclimbing.co.uk/
we would also like to say we can offer groups some exciting times at head4heights also in the cotswolds.
Rod Baber, current record hold of the fastest ascent of the highests points in every european country (800somethingdays) has built a fantastic high ropes adventure centre. its located in the Keynes Country Park near south cerney cirencester and is a pole based centre. meaning all the elements are up in the air on poles above the ground. its fun when the wind blows and shakes the poles when your 4 people up on a 40cm square platform!! its a fantastic facility for corporate, stag/hen, family schools and youth groups and general public to enjoy. matt has just passed his senior instructor course for high ropes with them and can be found helping with instruction and groups at the centre. if you fancy a freefall jump, leap of faith (or leap of love for couples!) or climbing several 8 metre poles then please feel free to contact them on 01285 770007 and tell them we sent ya!
we have lots planned for summer, if your interested in learning to climb outdoors, fancy a taster session to see what its all about, want to brush up rope management, leading outdoors or self rescue techiniques please drop us a line and we can get you up, out and about!
best wishes all,
see you somewhere adventureous soon!
matt and the gang!
p.s. in times of busy bookings we might not be able to get back to you straight away, but we will encevour to reply with in 24 hours.
p.p.s we must appologise that in cleaning up the site we have been unable to remove some of the really old news items for some reason! so if you scroll down you'll enjoy what we were doing back in 03! were working on it! :)
13.10.08. THE DIRT BAG DIARIES - ADVENTURES ON THE MOVE
here at learn2climb we love all things adventure...and this is one of our favourite websites. in the world of high tech i-pods and podcasts this has got to be THE best adventure podcast out there!
fitz cahalls 'the dirt bag diaries' podcast are fantastic, they have humour, adventure and give you that thirst for getting out and doing something! we love them!
fitz is a climber, a skiier, a mountian biker and an adventureist...not to mention he is also a first class writer. his podcasts are based on just those topics, weather its climbing a 1200 foot new route in texas, biking 67 miles to the crag when his car blows up, paddling a river on a home made raft in laos, hauling masses of camera gear for a tv fim shoot or even analising some horrendous but survived accidents in the outdoors, you'll feel like your there with him.
all this coupled with amazing sound tracks to interspurse the audio dialog, it gets you to thinking..what if..how...maybe...and gotta dash got an appointment with the great outdoors!
we love driving to the crag listening to fitz's stories to sych us up, or just lazyily walking the dogs in the valley with fitz voice giving us added enjoyment as if being with a friend shooting the breeze and swopping tales of daring do...and we think you will to!
his podcasts are free either from his website www.dirtbagdiaries.com or by typing dirtbag diairies into your i-tunes browser for podcasts. they are all supported by patagonia clothing and will pick you up from your office day job and transport you to the great outdoors!
please...fill your i-pod with adventure... visit
http://www.dirtbagdiaries.com
if your into the outdoors...you'll love the dirtbag diaries!!!
matt
13.10.08. WEBSITE UPDATES
hi all,
autumn 08 is here and the leaves are changing, the crags is a beatuful place to be with the cool days perfect for maximum friction on the rock and the wye valley is quieter with the school groups heading off to the class rooms. this has got to be my favourite time of year! the river is stunning to paddle down with the trees changing colour as you pass along quietly perfect days for open boating! another week or so and it will look stunning. we were out with groups in the valley last week and with the sun on the rock it was warm and possibly the dryest its been for a while!
as you know we also run sled dogs as a hobby and would like to welcome some new team mates! lolly one of my lead dogs had a litter born last week, 2 boys and 3 girls, they are getting fat and round and are beautiful puppies and hopefuly become our main team in the next few years as the top team at the moment will begin to slow down.
the racing season starts again next month and we are going for gold again to try and better our results of last year, we won 5 qand got 3 second places ending up with us coming first over all in our class for the season.
wealso have some exciting changes planned for learn2climb
we hope to update the site in the next few months, we are changing a few things around here and will be focusing on mainly providing climbing instruction, will still offer kayaking canoeing surfing and the other sports but to a lesser degree.
we are planning on teaming up with 'monster climbs' tony penning to offer some new adventures in climbing both in the UK and abroad. tony has been a long time friend and fellow instructor and is possibly, even after nearly 40 years of climbing, the most excitable guy i know when it comes to touching a piece of rock!
so..keep an eye on the site and we'll hopefully see you on the crag in the near future! enjoy the autumn and we hope to see some of the familier faces out again this fall!
best wishes
matt
05.12.03. CLIMBING MASTER CLASSES
NEW for this winter is the return of our very succesful MASTER CLASSES!
after some fantastic previous courses with the chance of learning from some of the worlds best such as Johnny Dawes and Airlie Anderson we would like to welcome you back indoors this winter for some amazing performance climbing courses!
the weekends course is aimed at those who want to push their climbing further. you must have some climbing experince and be able to lead climb indoors.
discover new and more effective ways of climbing, new techniques for on sighting, bouldering, red pointing and training techniques all with the purpose of improving your climbing!!!
the course will be based at the warehouse climbing centre gloucester and will be hosted by british climbing team member adrian baxter and learn2climb.coms matt hammersley
here is a bio for each of the weekends coaches.
adrian has been a member of the british team for a number of years and currently is the Highest ranked great britain competitor in europe, he ended the world championships '02 + '03 in the leading
event- placed 27th + 31st respectively
current sponsors for adrian include - black dimond climbing equipment, la sportiva shoes, powerbar, franklin climbing products
adrian currently climbs to the grades of
On-sight 8a+ and red point 8b
boulders at the onsight grades of font. 7c with a few 8a flashes and numerous 8a red points.
hes climbed around the world visiting thailand several times, japan, china, canada, u.s.a on 2 occasions and lots of 4 month trips in europe.
his favourite area is - ton sai thailand
he has coached on 3 planetfear training trips and lists his goal as - british champ - '04
he also instructs for learn2climb when not busy cragging, competeing or working!
matt runs learn2climb.com and has been climbing for over 20 years. retiring from competing a few years ago he has been qualified as a uk climbing judge and has judged some of the the best at the mens finals of the world bouldering cup, the world championships, several years at the british indoor climbing championships and the british youth championships. he has also organised climbing competitions and climbing festivals for the past 10 years, worked on the BMC performance climbing team and helped write a book on the subject of performance climbing techniques and a few guide books.
currently into the sand stone bouldering of the wye valley he has climbed routes up to E6 on traditional gear and 7B+ sport grades.
world wide experince includes spain, australia, france, tazmania, usa and st lucia. favourite crag???....any that has good routes and good friends to climb with...but spain was awesome!
between these two very experinced climbers you will find your own grade improving over the weekend and will go home with a mental tool box full of new techinques to use on rock and indoors.
all kit can be provided, and lunch on saturday is included. accomodation is not provided but can be suggested if required.
price per person for the full weekend is £100 per person.
we run the course on a ratio of 6:2 to ensure you get the most out of the course.
dates: TBA but we will hope to hold two course in the new year!
for bookings or further information please email us!
(please note we need a minimum of 3 people to run the course).
05.12.03. DATES FOR WINTER COURSES...
EVER WANTED TO TRY CLIMBING..THINK WINTERS TOO COLD??? or wanted to move to the next step in your climbing.
WELL THATS WHY WE HAVE MOVED INSIDE FOR THE WINTER WITH A RANGE OF COURSES.
ideal for beginners...the intro to indoor climbing course are held on weekends during the jan feb and march, £45 per person including all the kit, wall entry, instruction you need to get the experience and the knowledge to safely get you started. this course will give you the experienced you need to use most indoor climbing centres in the uk.
the intro to indoor lead climbing is ideal for those who have some experience of climbing and would like to learn the next step of lead climbing. based on sport climbing techniques you will be instructed in the various belaying techniques, how to use quick draws and insitu gear, some technique training and how to fall safely. the course costs £45 and is limitied to 6 people per course. all kit can be provided if required but please bring our own if you have some.
the courses can be held over two days, or a full day. with a total of over 6 hours of instruction. the ratios will be small 6 people to one instructor.
we hold the courses at the warehouse climbing wall gloucester, although if you have any group bookings of 6 or more people we can accomodate your group at a climbing centre nearer to you if you wish for an a small extra charge.
to book send us an email and we'll send you a booking form and let you know availabilities of each course.
for pictures of the wall and a previous course please go to 'intro course' in the our adventures section of the site.
we should have fianalised dates for our master classes with british team member adrian baxter with in the next few days so check back soon!!!
dates:
jan 24th intro
jan 25th lead climbing
jan 31st intro
feb 1st lead
feb 15th intro
feb 21st lead
23.10.03. WINTER COURSES
we are about to release our range of winter courses and activities in the next day or so....keep checking the site for details.
courses will include
intruction to indoor climbing
indoor lead climbing courses
technique and performance master classes
white water kayaking
activities include
guided bouldering trips in the forest of dean
kayaking
climbing
guided adventure walks in the forest of dean
hopefully we will also have some winter walking trips in the brecons and maybe north wales.
more course and activities will no doubt be on offer during the autum and winter season so check back regulaly
have a great halloween
matt
29.09.03. LAST MINUTE KAYAKING???
we have a couple of places left for this weekends kayaking course.
if you would like to come along phone us on 07778 534124
saturday is a 1 star course and sunday is a river trip in the morning.
£55 for the course £35 for the river trip
let us know if you want to do both, or just one of the days
matt
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