What we do...
Bouldering :
Why come bouldering? Bouldering is a more relaxed, social form of climbing. The shorter routes are called ‘Problems’ and are just as much about working it out as it is about getting to the top! We find it so much more fun than going to the gym, and has the added benefit of keeping you fit and healthy too. Other known benefits include, but are not limited to; increased mobility & flexibility, toned biceps, increased energy levels, new mates, bravery, and self control!
Coaching:
We know that some of you like to work it out yourselves but for those that want an experienced hand to guide you through the basics, or to break through a plateau in your climbing, we have a range of different coach led sessions. From our ‘Intro to Bouldering’ sessions designed for beginner boulderers all the way up to bespoke private coaching sessions, we aim to have something for everyone.
Fitness:
It’s not all about climbing at Roc-Bloc, and our state of the art gym facilities are there to help you reach all your fitness goals. Whether that is training for your local boulder project, or your first pull up, we’ve got you covered!
Kilterboard:
Roc-Bloc is home to one of the first angle-changing KILTERBOARDs in the UK. It goes from 0 degrees all the way down to 70 degrees and can be used by any ability level. Ask our staff for more info on how to use this beast!
Coffee:
We know more than anyone great coffee is an essential part of any high end bouldering wall, and that’s why we have fully trained baristas and specialty beans courtesy of Extract Coffee Roasters. We also have a fully stocked café, with handmade cakes, sandwiches and paninis, perfect for your mid climb meal break or to takeaway!
Meet (most of) the team
I was super lucky to have been introduced to climbing in 2013 by some fantastic people, who took me under their wing. It’s safe to say I caught the bug immediately!
The first few years after I started, I spent most of my time out of the UK sport climbing in places like Chamonix, Kalymnos, Sicily.
Nowadays I tend to stick to bouldering because I prefer the feeling of trying really hard for a short amount of time! I love the social aspect of bouldering too.
Without a shadow of a doubt, my fave place to climb in the world has to be Rocklands in South Africa, closely followed by Kalymnos. In both of these places, you can completely immerse yourself in climbing and the local culture that surrounds you.
Emily is the Roc-Bloc centre manager.
I’m Ben Norman, I’ve been climbing 17 years with a focus on Bouldering, but love to climb sport, trad and DWS in the summers.
My favourite place to climb is Fontainebleau, although Rocklands is pretty hard to beat. They’re about as different as Bouldering venues get, but both have something magical about the climbing and the place itself.
Ben is the Roc-Bloc head route-setter.
I’ve been climbing for about 5 years.
My fave type of climbing is Trad! Preferably long, easy alpine routes and the best place I’ve climbed is Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range.
Charlie Wilson
I have been climbing for over 10 years, and freelance route setting for the last two years. My favourite form of climbing is bouldering because of the diversity and intricacies of the movement involved.
My favourite place to climb would have to be either Chironico or Murgtal. The quality of the rock in Chironico is some of the best I’ve climbed on, and the atmosphere created by Valley in which Murgtal sits makes for some awesome days out climbing.
Anthony Ross
I started climbing 4 years ago in Bristol, and since then it’s pretty much taken over my life!
I’m definitely more of a boulderer, but enjoy sport climbing as well. A couple of my favourite places to climb are Biblins Cave and Portland. I haven’t done huge amounts of climbing outdoors, but am hoping to change that and start climbing outside as much as possible.
Yo, so I’ve grown up climbing in and around South Wales, and it’s shaped me to be the climber I am today, it’s made me confidently arrogant, or maybe arrogantly confident? One of those anyway. A dab of grit, a touch of determination and an absolute shedload of sike is what I’m made of 
I started bouldering in October 2019 as part of Cardiff Uni’s climbing society @CUMC. My favourite place to climb has to be the Dorset coast, where I grew up. With everything from beautiful multi pitch trad routes near Swanage, to sport climbing and bouldering on Portland, all by the sea – it doesn’t get much better than that! It’s also the perfect spot because when the rocks wet, you can jump on a SUP/Surf board or dive in the water for a swim.
The climbing community is what makes this sport special to me. Attracting like minded, outdoorsy, environmentally friendly, social people. I love nothing more than sitting on the mats chatting to people about everything from boulder problems to their life stories. So I look forward to sending and chatting with you all soon.
“I got introduced to climbing
at the age of 18 and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I consider myself lucky to have had access to some amazing places to climb in South Wales, and to feel part of a community full of motivated and passionate climbers. While I get all giddy at the sight of a Swiss landscape or a Rocklands sunset, what really drives me forward in climbing are the feelings of improvement from hard work and perseverance, and the simple joy of being out in an area with a group of friends climbing on some amazing bits of rock.”
Eliot has climbed Wales’ first 8C ‘The Origin Sit’ and makes some really interesting videos on the projecting process, so see the link in his bio to check it out ✌️
Eliot is the latest addition to join our team! El has come on board to help us set up, and run our development & performance Youth Squad.
I’ve been climbing since I was around 7, so that puts me on 16 years and counting!
I began climbing in a kids club, then I moved into competition climbing as a part of a squad. I soon discovered ‘rock climbing’, which totally took over my life.
My gravity-defying preferences are bouldering and sport climbing.
I boulder mostly, it’s my favourite kind of climbing because there’s not much to it, just the hard bit! There’s something about the mental state for bouldering that is utterly driving and almost (I stress the almost) peaceful.
Sport climbing for me is one of the best feelings I have experienced, the sense of freedom when you’re pushing it that high off the ground, gives me goosebumps every time I think about it!
This brings me onto my favourite place to climb. Which has got to be Magic Wood, Switzerland. This is down to the people that reside there, the mountains, and of course the climbing. The style of movement out there suits me very well and you’re surrounded by plum lines left right and centre, the hardest bit is choosing which rock to climb!
If you take the bouldering away from Magic wood, it’s still the most beautiful place I have ever been. Once you can ‘comfortably’ boulder 7B. I Recommend you get over there!
Rich Marotta