Welcome to The Foundry Blog....

Opening its doors back in 1991, The Foundry has been at the heart of the Sheffield and UK climbing scenes ever since. Almost two decades on, the centre continues to provide a world class environment for climbers, whether you're new to the sport or about to tick your first Font 8b!

The blog will keep you up to date with the activity and achievements that are going on in and around The Foundry.

Hope to see you soon! - Neil Bentley (Centre Manager)

Wednesday 27 January 2010

Injury screening clinic – free advice and treatment

Danny Brown - Qualified physiotherapist and experienced climber/mountaineer (MIA), will be available to answer questions on your injuries, aches and pains as well as offering treatment and rehabilitation advice. No need to book, just turn up on Thursday evening 7.30-9pm in the main climbing hall.

All new bouldering circuits

Rob has now finished setting the new circuits with the help of Matt Robinson, Tim Hill and Keirin Leary. The circuits include one for kids at font 3a to 4b. Then 20 problems in Level 1 (f34a-5b), 21 problems in level 2 (f5b-6c), 15 problems in level 3 (f6c+-7b+) and 15 elite (f6b+ to 7c+).

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Overall results for 2009/10 Bouldering League

Well done to Diane for beating off the male competition to come overall top of the Elite category, also to Martin Coia who depite being a junior decided to enter the Elite category.
Elite Category
1st Female (228) Diane Merrick - 90day Foundry membership
1st Male (172) Ed Morris - 90day Foundry membership
2nd Male (150) Paul Smitton - 30day Foundry membership
2nd Female (128) Katy Piddock - 30day Foundry membership

Britsh Team members Becki and Alice have clearly been taking advantage of their training to take the top two Recreational female places. Once again juniors have shown the benefit of youth, with 5 of the top 10 Recreational climbers aged under 16.
Recreational Category
1st Male (391) Luke Jones - 90day Foundry membership
2nd Male (367) Ed Hartley - 30day Foundry membership
1st junior Male & 3rd Male (349) Robin Lloyd - 30day Foundry membership
2nd junior Male & 4th Male (335) Tom Bonnert - £10 CragX voucher
1st Female (304) Becki Hall - 90day Foundry membership
2nd Female & 1st junior Female (300) Alice Waterhouse - Two 30day Foundry memberships
2nd junior Female (191) Holly Murray - £10 CragX voucher

The Kids category was dominated by The Foundry Accademy and we hope to see them continuing their success in the BMC Youth Climbing Series.
Kids Category
1st Male (192) James Waterhouse - 30day Foundry membership
2nd Male (187) Alex Hall - £10 CragX voucher
1st Female (183) Pareesa Tai - 30day Foundry membership
2nd Female (179) Mary Clerkin - £10 CragX voucher

A comprehensive list of scores is on display at The Foundry, your overall result for the league is the combined score from your two highest scoring rounds.
The winners can collect their prizes from Foundry reception.

a big thankyou to our event sponsors:

Monday 25 January 2010

Foundry Bouldering League - Round 3 Results

Elite Category
K Piddock (F) - 128
A Harrison (M) - 126
D Cheetham (M) - 123
D Merrick (F) - 123
A Hedger (M) - 96
T Mallinkovic (F) - 59

Recreational Category
R Lloyd (jnr M) - 173
T Bonnert (jnr M) - 165
E Hartley (M) - 161
B Hall (F) - 160
C Evans (M) - 157
J Broadhead (jnr M) - 154
A Waterhouse (jnr F) - 152
T Dixon (M) - 144
J Shaw (jnr M) - 135
C Lockyer (M) - 130
J Hickson (M) - 128
F Blok (F) - 125
B Clough (M) - 122
J Beach (jnr M) - 118
A Saul (M) - 118
B Cheetham (M) - 110
P Jeffrey (M) - 106
P Daniel (M) - 106
L Trollope (F) - 88
R Snowden (F) - 87
H Murray (jnr F) - 81
J Forde (jnr M) - 80
R Cole (M) - 78
A Hall (jnr M) - 75
L Cauldwell (M) - 74
M Roper (M) - 53
L Ward (M) - 48

Kids Category
J Waterhouse (M) - 92
A Hall (M) - 75
B Hoyland (F) - 75
M Aspinall (M) - 72
M Clerkin (F) - 72
P Tai (F) - 72
D Windle (F) - 55
P Watkin (F) - 37
B Jennings (F) - 31

Event Sponsors:

Friday 22 January 2010

Asgard Project DVD finally here


Winner of the People's choice award at the Kendall Mountain Film Festival 2009, The Asgard project chronicles the epic that ensued when Leo Holding, Sean Leary and Carlos Suarez set out to climb Mt Asard's North Face.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Dry tooling This Friday

Due to its popularity, we have decided that we will be offering dry tooling on the 22nd January.
Problems for the bouldering competition will be set to ensure that they are not affected.

Dry Tooling costs £10/person (including normal climbing) and numbers are limited, so phone us on 0114 2796331 to guarantee a space.
Sessions are: Monday and Friday 8pm-10pm, Weekends 6pm-8pm.

Monday 18 January 2010

Bouldering League

This Friday, from 5pm

Work has already begun to prepare the Wave for this Friday's competition and you can look forward to all new problems.

As always, even if you haven't entered any of the previous rounds you are still in with a chance to win one of the spot prizes. Plus the top two male and female scores in each level will win Foundry memberships.

Event Sponsors:






Friday 15 January 2010

Dry Tooling Beta

For those of you new to dry tooling and looking forward to your first ever go at the sport, watch these videos of Ian Parnell demonstrating a range of axe placements on two of our routes.

Ian Parnell Dry Tooling at the Foundry Climbing Centre (M7+) from Foundry Climbing Centre on Vimeo.



Ian Parnell on Foundry Dry Tool Route (M4) from Foundry Climbing Centre on Vimeo.

Thursday 14 January 2010

Ian Parnell checks out our dry tooling routes

The routes have now been checked out by Ian Parnell who has provided some 'M' grades (as used for mixed route grades outdoors). The five routes range form M4 to M7+. Ian was very positive about the routes and got very pumped doing them. See what he thinks by going to his blog at http://ianparnellphotography.blogspot.com/2010/01/sheffield-winter-training-facility.html

Here's some more piccies of the routes being climbed. If you want to have a go we advise to book yourself in to guarantee equipment otherwise turn up on the nights. Its £10/2 hours inc. gear. If you are already climbing down here on the night and decide you would like to give it a try you will be charged the difference between your initial entry fee and £10 for the gear. You will have to fill in a bit of paper work and must be 18.
Friday 8-10pm, weekends 6-8pm, Mondays 8-10pm.













TOP - Rob Napier on an M7+
ABOVE LEFT -Neil Bentley on an M5
ABOVE CENTRE - Neil Bentley on an M7+
ABOVE RIGHT - Ian Parnell on an M5/6

Monday 11 January 2010

Dry Tooling First Night - Friday 15th, 8-10pm

This Friday the 15th between 8-10pm will be the first evening of dry tooling. There are 5 routes of varying difficulty with variations on axe holds and footholds allowing you to make the routes easier or harder. To have a go we advise you to book by calling us on 0114 2796331 or in person at reception, or if there are spaces available you can just turn up on the day. Its £10/person for 2 hours which includes the gear but bring your own gloves. Theres a bit of paperwork to complete on your first visit.
Dry tooling evening sessions are Mondays and Fridays 8-10pm and weekends 6-8pm. You must book in advance to have ago and be 18 or over.

Friday 8 January 2010

Dry Tooling is here!


We have just finished setting the dry tooling routes in the Furnace and on the tiered roof of the Main wall. If you want to give it a go we will be having our first official evening probably next Friday evening. Watch the blog for further . It will cost £10 for 2 hours including the axes and helmets with visors.




Thursday 7 January 2010

Snow update....

If you are thinking of coming down to The Foundry I am glad to say that Mowbray Street is gritted and clear of snow/ice, as are most of the major roads in Sheffield. Cars have compacted the snow in our carpark but it's drivable with care, or you can park on the road outside (urban clearway restrictions apply 4.30-6.30pm).

For those (like me) still unable to get their cars out of residential side roads, public transport appears to be running OK. If you're unfamiliar with public transport the 53 bus route runs right past our courtyard entrance, or we are just a 10-15 min walk from the city centre (see our website for directions).

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Yet more snow....


Despite the snow The Foundy is open.

We intend to open as normal despite the weather but if you're in doubt about the conditions please call us (0114 2796331) to check before travelling, as the snow may have other ideas.

Monday 4 January 2010

Bouldering League Final Round

Friday 22nd January, from 5pm

For those of you wanting to burn off the Christmas excess, the next round of the Bouldering league is the perfect focus for your new year exercise routine.

As always, even if you haven't entered any of the previous rounds you are still in with a chance to win one of the spot prizes.

Event Sponsors: