Bouldering is indoor climbing without ropes, using padded mats for safety. Climbs are shorter but powerful, making it fun and accessible for all skill levels.

Loose, comfy clothing is best - any sports clothes or baggy jeans or leggings.

This year we have added in 5 more blocs in each category at the low-to-intermediate end, making the comp even more accessible. If you climb regularly at Chimera Tunbridge Wells you can expect juniors climbs to start at around an orange level, and adults climbs to be set from purples upwards. The harder end of the qualifying climbs will be up to around 7b+/V8 level, with as many hard climbs as usual available to challenge our more experienced climbers.

Scoring will be done on paper for juniors and on the TopLogger app for adults.

Yes. In each category there will be a trophy for the winner and medals for 2nd and 3rd place.

We love our canine friends and while we welcome them coming along to the party in the evening we would advise against bringing dogs to the daytime competition as it will be very busy.

Yes, as long as your outfit is safe to climb in and doesn't have any elements (an ice surfboard, for example) that could be a danger to yourself or other climbers.

No. You will not be allowed on the walls if you have consumed alcohol.

Yes. Part of the car park will be out of action but there will still be limited parking on site as well as some free options nearby – just please be courteous to our neighbours. We are also only a short walk from High Brooms station and would encourage you to take public transport, walk or cycle to The Big Summer Party if you can.

Yes! Climbing is a social sport. Just make sure everyone registers online before their first visit.

Yes! We have seating and café areas for spectators at all centres.

Yes – all centres have showers and changing facilities.

Yes. Translations are available at reception or on request.

Only if they are booked into a supervised session (like a kids’ club or party). Otherwise, an adult must supervise them.

Yes – both are available to rent or purchase.

Yes – our cafés and seating areas are perfect for relaxing or getting some work done while your child is in a supervised session.

This applies to all our Direct Debit customers: Green Card, Green Card Plus, kids club (Academy, Rock Ninjas, Little Monkeys), Adult Development Class, K&S memberships.

We are unable to pause accounts, due to the sheer volume of membership customers across our three sites and the frequency with which this may be required. Unfortunately the administration is unfeasible.

If you know that you will be unable to use your membership for a longer period of time e.g. Summer holidays, you have two options available to you:
- Retain membership over the summer holidays.
- Cancel membership, but please note that we ask for a month’s written notice. You can then reinstate membership just before September.

For Club customers:
Please note that for club customers we charge for 48 weeks rather than 52 to allow for holiday and illness absences. If you do cancel over the summer, we cannot guarantee a space in the same club.

Children aged 12+ may climb unsupervised if they’ve completed at least 10 supervised visits and passed an assessment by a Chimera coach.

Yes! Children aged 5 and up are welcome. Under 16s must be supervised unless signed off by a coach to climb independently.

No booking needed for casual climbing – walk-ins are welcome! Coaching sessions and kids’ clubs must be booked in advance.

You can rent climbing shoes and chalk at reception. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and bringing a reusable water bottle – refilling stations are available.

Yes – we run fun, safe birthday party sessions with qualified instructors.

Yes – we run kids’ clubs at all centres:
• Little Monkeys (ages 5–7)
• Rock Ninjas (ages 8–11)
• Academy (ages 12–16)

Yes. All first-time adult visitors must register online before climbing.

• Tunbridge Wells: Free on-site parking
• Canterbury: Limited parking + pay & display nearby
• Chatham: Limited free parking + multiple paid options
More info on Chatham parking.

Yes – we welcome schools, youth groups, and corporate events. Contact your local centre to arrange a session.

Please contact accounts@chimeraclimbing.com to update your direct debit details.

Some independent businesses run regular coaching sessions at Chimera. These external providers operate independently and do not pay Chimera to use our facilities. We do not receive any share of their coaching revenue.

All we ask is that participants cover the cost of entry.

For those customers who commit to monthly coaching arrangements with external providers on our premises, we ask that they also sign up for Chimera’s Monthly Green Card. This ensures that access is valid, simplifies administration, and is cheaper than paying standard entry each time.

We appreciate your support in helping us keep Chimera centres running fairly for everyone.

For more details about running instructed sessions at Chimera, please contact: coachingmanager@chimeraclimbing.com

This applies to all our Direct Debit customers: Green Card, Green Card Plus, kids club (Academy, Rock Ninjas, Little Monkeys), Adult Development Class, K&S memberships.

Cancelling part or all of your membership is simple, please just email accounts@chimeraclimbing.com‍

We require one month's written notice for cancellations. You month's notice period will commence from the date that your email is sent. During your notice period, your Direct Debit mandate should remain active. The final payment will be calculated based on this notice period, ensuring that only the necessary amount is debited from your account.

For example, for a cancellation email sent on 15th March from a Green Card member, the period will run until 14th April. The April invoice will be 14/30 of the membership.

Once your notice period is complete, no further Direct Debit payments will be processed. Your mandate will remain active unless you request that either Chimera or your bank cancels your mandate. This simplifies the process if you wish to return at a later date, as you will not need to redo your mandate.

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook, or check the News section of our website.

The best way to contact Accounts is via our email address: accounts@chimeraclimbing.com as our Accounts staff consists of people who work part time from home. We will endeavour to respond to your query asap.

Climbs are colour-coded and follow the Fontainebleau system. Start with yellow, orange, or purple routes. Use the TopLogger app to track progress.

Absolutely. We have beginner-friendly routes and offer intro coaching to help you get started.

Yes. Please contact your centre in advance if you need assistance.

Yes – we offer 1:1 private coaching sessions for adults at all centres.

Not at all – climbing is for everyone.

Comfy clothes like leggings or sportswear are best. Climbing shoes are required and can be rented at the centre.

Direct Debits are collected on 1st of each month. It generally takes a week to confirm and 10 days for your payment to reach Chimera.

If you start your membership midway through a month, you will be charged a portion of that month, then from 1st of the subsequent month you will be charged the full amount.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of altering your collection date, please email accounts@chimeraclimbing.com

All centres are open 7 days a week.
• Canterbury: Opens at 8am on weekends
• Chatham & Tunbridge Wells: Open from 9am on weekends
Weekdays: 10am–10pm at all centres.

Please email accounts@chimeraclimbing.com giving a brief description of your injury / illness. We will cancel your subsequent invoices and raise a credit note for you, where appropriate. Any credits will be applied to invoicing when you return. We request that you email accounts@chimeraclimbing.com when you are ready to return and we will reactivate your membership and access.

Children must be at least 5 years old to climb.