Climbnation: Climbing Coaching, Outdoor Courses and Equipment in the West Midlands
Friday, 2nd October 2026
Climbing can be exciting, absorbing and occasionally frustrating. You might be trying it for the first time, wondering how to move beyond the same indoor routes, or thinking about taking your climbing outdoors.
Whatever your starting point, knowing what to work on next can make your time on the wall more rewarding.
Climbnation brings together individual coaching, outdoor experiences and climbing equipment to help people develop their skills. With coaching available across the West Midlands and introductory rock climbing days in the Peak District, the business supports different stages of a climber’s progress.
Who Are Climbnation?
Founded by John Bradshaw,
Climbnation is a small, family-run business built around the belief that climbing should be accessible to everybody.
John is a qualified climbing coach with more than ten years of experience helping people discover and develop their interest in the sport. The approach welcomes beginners as well as experienced climbers who want to improve.
That matters because people arrive with different ambitions. Some want to feel comfortable on their first climbing wall. Others have a particular route in mind, want to improve their technique or would like to explore outdoor climbing.
How Can Climbing Coaching Help?
Repeating the same climbs can be enjoyable, but it does not always make it obvious why you are struggling with a particular move.
A coach can observe your climbing, offer feedback and help you identify useful areas to practise. That gives your sessions a clearer purpose, whether your goal involves technique, confidence or performance.
Climbnation’s
individual climbing coaching includes assessments, physical profiling and more detailed reviews covering technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of climbing.
For those wanting ongoing support, a twelve-week training plan includes an initial assessment, a follow-up coaching session and support throughout the programme.
Outdoor performance coaching is also available, alongside sessions arranged around individual requirements. Coaching takes place at indoor venues and outdoor crags, with options for different abilities.
The starting point is understanding the climber. Rather than assuming everyone needs the same training, an assessment helps establish what deserves attention and how that relates to their goals.
Taking Your Climbing Outdoors
Moving from an indoor wall onto real rock introduces a different experience. The setting changes, and there are additional skills and considerations to understand.
For anyone curious about that transition, Climbnation’s
outdoor rock climbing courses include introductory days in the Peak District. These provide six hours of climbing with a maximum instructor-to-climber ratio of one to six.
Outdoor bouldering days cover movement on rock, using guidebooks, safety and etiquette. This combines time climbing with learning about the outdoor environment.
Those looking to develop further can explore a two-day course focused on becoming independent outdoors, including top roping, movement and guidebook use.
There are also courses for learning to lead sport and traditional climbs. These have existing experience requirements, so discussing your current skills helps establish which option is suitable.
Choosing a course around your experience gives the day a useful direction. You can focus on the next skills you need, with instruction appropriate to the activity.
Climbing Equipment From People Who Use It
Equipment is another part of preparing for climbing, but a long list of products can leave you wondering where to begin.
The
climbing equipment available from Climbnation includes harnesses, ropes, belay equipment, carabiners and traditional climbing protection, with DMM products among the listed range.
Climbnation states that it sells equipment their own team uses. This connects the shop with the practical climbing experience behind the coaching and courses.
The equipment you need will depend on the climbing you intend to do. An indoor session and an outdoor traditional route involve different requirements, so it helps to understand the intended activity before deciding what to buy.
For newcomers, discussing requirements before shopping can make those decisions clearer.
Supporting Climbing Walls and Their Teams
Climbnation also works with the people delivering climbing experiences.
Their
route setting and staff development services include full days of route setting across the West Midlands and surrounding areas, alongside workshops for youth and adult coaching teams.
Private Indoor Climbing Assistant courses are available by arrangement. The qualification is intended for people with basic climbing competence who want to assist qualified instructors and coaches with their sessions.
This extends the business’s support beyond individual climbers to climbing venues and their workforces.
Find Your Next Step in Climbing
Your next step might be understanding a difficult move, trying outdoor rock or planning more purposeful practice.
Climbnation offers several ways to explore those goals. You do not need everything figured out. Speak to John about your experience, what you enjoy and what you would like to achieve, then discuss the coaching, course or equipment options that suit you.
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