Initially, definitely go when it's quieter -- you could phone the gym and ask when their quietest times tend to be. That's what I did, and it really makes a difference (I still almost never go when it's crowded).
If you've got shoes and a chalkbag (or can rent them from the gym), then you can just turn up and start climbing in the bouldering cave. It shouldn't be any problem being on your own.
cofax7's recommendation to do lots of traversing to begin with is good; I'd add that it's helpful to practice jumping off from moderate heights a few times. It really helps to get comfortable with your ability to jump or fall (getting "stuck" on the wall and feeling that you can't get down is no fun at all).
The basic deal with falling is that you want to land on both feet evenly, then let your legs crumple to absorb the impact. Injuries tend to come from landing unevenly and twisting something, and that's as likely to happen with short awkward falls as it is from high ones (up to normal bouldering height).
Etiquette-wise: the big rule no-one's mentioned yet is DON'T WALK UNDER ANYONE WHO'S CLIMBING. Though that's not a question of politeness, it's a question of not having them fall on you. *g*.
no subject
Initially, definitely go when it's quieter -- you could phone the gym and ask when their quietest times tend to be. That's what I did, and it really makes a difference (I still almost never go when it's crowded).
If you've got shoes and a chalkbag (or can rent them from the gym), then you can just turn up and start climbing in the bouldering cave. It shouldn't be any problem being on your own.
The basic deal with falling is that you want to land on both feet evenly, then let your legs crumple to absorb the impact. Injuries tend to come from landing unevenly and twisting something, and that's as likely to happen with short awkward falls as it is from high ones (up to normal bouldering height).
Etiquette-wise: the big rule no-one's mentioned yet is DON'T WALK UNDER ANYONE WHO'S CLIMBING. Though that's not a question of politeness, it's a question of not having them fall on you. *g*.