I'm new to bouldering -- I've only been going for about a month -- so I still remember my first time in vivid detail! I went on a busy weeknight with a couple of friends, which I don't really recommend as a first experience-- like someone said above, perhaps pick a quiet time. At my gym the quiet times are early afternoon or Friday/Sat/Sunday. The thing with it being busy is that there's often heaps of people standing around waiting for routes, or staring hard at routes to figure out a way to tackle them, or just standing around waiting for their arms to recover. If you're anything like me, having to climb in front of an impromptu audience of 10 random people (especially groups of young guys) is somewhat offputting. People also tend to offer advice if it looks like you're struggling. This can be helpful, and a good way to meet people-- but again, if you're not super-sociable, or perhaps if you'd prefer to figure out routes on your own, it can be something to get used to.
My gym is very comfortable with people coming on their own. It also provides shoes, which are pretty much the only equipment you need (I bring my own, though, as they're a much better fit). I still don't have my own chalk, but so far I'm doing okay without it. I've seen people rock up just off the street and start climbing in jeans, so pretty much anything goes.
I haven't had any problems with glasses falling off-- you're not falling from very high, and the falls tend to be more controlled (more of a case of "hm, my arms are getting tired-- I might jump down now" rather than from slipping and tumbling off the wall). And I haven't really ever needed a spotter, since I'm not doing tricky overhangs or anything like that.
The first time I went I was totally self-conscious about climbing the super-easy routes over and over (and getting stuck on bits other people could easily finish), but nobody cared at all-- there were heaps of other beginners there, and often even really good people climb the easy routes as a warm-up or to practice technique.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-10-05 12:52 am (UTC)My gym is very comfortable with people coming on their own. It also provides shoes, which are pretty much the only equipment you need (I bring my own, though, as they're a much better fit). I still don't have my own chalk, but so far I'm doing okay without it. I've seen people rock up just off the street and start climbing in jeans, so pretty much anything goes.
I haven't had any problems with glasses falling off-- you're not falling from very high, and the falls tend to be more controlled (more of a case of "hm, my arms are getting tired-- I might jump down now" rather than from slipping and tumbling off the wall). And I haven't really ever needed a spotter, since I'm not doing tricky overhangs or anything like that.
The first time I went I was totally self-conscious about climbing the super-easy routes over and over (and getting stuck on bits other people could easily finish), but nobody cared at all-- there were heaps of other beginners there, and often even really good people climb the easy routes as a warm-up or to practice technique.
Hope you go and have a good time!