The organiser of a Bermondsey bouldering group has given his seal of approval to a new climbing wall that has opened in Surrey Quays.
Tomiwa Gidado, who runs the Bermondsey Boulders group, has already taken his charges to the new Arch climbing wall in the shopping centre several times since it opened on July 25.
“It’s great,” he said, adding that every level in the new wall is more accessible than the Arch climbing wall in the Biscuit Factory, where he has taken the group twice a week since launching it in 2021.
The Arch in Surrey Quays offers entry from £5 and is open to everyone. The 7,500 square foot climbing centre is in the former Dorothy Perkins shop in the shopping centre.
The centre will put on regular family days for local people. New climbers can join free improver sessions most days. The space will also be offered free of charge for community groups to use at certain times of the week, so that the space is accessible to everyone.
Fred Stone, who owns the Arch Climbing Wall, commented: “Our new branch of The Arch Climbing Wall at Canada Water is an exciting opportunity for the local area and for the climbing community.
“In the same way that climbing has gained mainstream exposure through film and the Olympic games, we are looking forward to showcasing climbing within this exciting and imaginative destination. We are also talking to local groups to offer them free use of the wall.”
Self-described Bermondsey lad Tomiwa said he will alternate his twice-weekly sessions between the Surrey Quays centre and the Biscuit Factory wall.
His group has grown fast since last year and he has 480 people subscribed. Of those, normally ten or fifteen come to each session. Tomiwa said the idea was to help improve people’s physical, mental and emotional health after the pandemic. After Sunday morning sessions at 11am, he takes people to the Maltby Street market for food and to Anspach and Hobsday craft brewery on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Wednesday sessions are from 6pm-8pm.
Sign up for the group here.
Visit the centre’s website here.