Abseiling

Abseiling

What is it? 

Abseiling (from the German abseilen, meaning "to rope down"), also called rappelling (mainly in the United States), is a controlled descent down a rock face using a rope, generally whilst using the legs to keep yourself from banging into the rock. Climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection or as a method to access difficult-to-reach areas from above for various industrial applications like maintenance, construction, inspection and welding. Rescue teams also use this method as a way to access injured or stranded victims.

What does it involve?

The activity involves either climbing to a certain point and abseiling down, or starting at the top and making your descent from there. There is normally a team assisting with rope control for beginners that other students can help with, so people can get as involved as much or as little as they like. 

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Abseiling can build a great sense of being part of a team amongst students as they all complete the task together and help each other out, and can be a big confidence boost for each individual. 

What equipment do we need?

The only thing you will need to take care of is the attire of the students - make sure they are dressed appropriately! The venue should provide all the equipment needed to abseil, but check beforehand if you are unsure.

Who is it suitable for?

Most ages of students will enjoy abseiling; there are many varieties of environments to do it in, so if you choose appropriately for the age range of the group then everybody should have a good time.

Costs?

The costs vary greatly depending on the type of abseiling you do, as the activity can vary from a small indoor wall to abseiling down a cliff face; you must decide upon exactly what you wish to do and research the prices of the providers in the desired area.

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Younger children may be wary of getting up high, but most students should be fine taking part in abseiling activities. Also, venues who provide abseiling must by law have a valid AALS license - ask to see confirmation if you are unsure. 

How do we include?

Students with disabilties may feel left out if they are less physically able and therefore cannot control their movements while climbing, but there are more and more facilties that cater to the disabled who wish to abseil. It's possible for deaf, blind and wheelchair-bound individuals to abseil if the venue is set up for it - check out the venues around you for more information. 

Doing it abroad?

Abseiling is reasonably popular the world over thanks to its origins in practicality rather than enjoyment, so if you research providers in the area you are going to ahead of time it's likely there will be an abseiling activity to enjoy no matter where you are!

Main website: 

Visit http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=167 for a good overview of the practical elements involved in abseiling. 

 

Venues with this Activity

Stars Centres provide a kaleidoscope of activity and training opportunities for young people who attend residential or day courses at our wonderful venues. 

Whether you're a teacher, youth worker, group leader or other organisation we have a range of outstanding courses suitable for your young peoples' needs, including Summer Camps and all-year-round residentials and courses. 

The Healthy Living Centre at Staveley offers top-class health, sport and leisure facilities for Chesterfield. We offer a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and abilities at affordable prices. The Healthy Living Centre lets you your friends and family get active and enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle using local facilities.

We have a range of climbing courses to suit every aspirant climber: From youth groups taking their first steps onto rock, to seasoned veterans who are still looking to improve, we can help.

School Camp offers on site team building sessions and a wide range of innovative off site adventurous outdoor activity events.

Our products include, Outdoor Activity days, Adventurous Activity Camps, Curriculum Enhancement Camps,Teambuilding days, BTEC / PE Outdoor Adventurous Activity Modules and Geography Field Trips. 

Pinkery offers a residential experience that enhances understanding and enjoyment of Exmoor’s special qualities. Pinkery is Exmoor National Park Authority’s centre for Outdoor Education. It has been in operation since 1969 and offers a warm welcome and introduction to Exmoor National Park for all our visiting groups.

Outdoor Adventure is a small and personal residential outdoor activity centre in a stunning cliff-top location on the rugged North Cornish coast.

We have over 30 years experience in delivering high quality School Activity Trips, Family Activity Holidays and non-residential activities. Sole occupancy of our centre is also available.

A new standard in the provision of learning outside the classroom, including a £1m high-adrenaline activity park

This is the largest Kingswood centre, accommodating 630 young people in a mix of en-suite and standard multi-bedded rooms.

It has an all weather centre with an impressive 25,000 sq ft sports hall and heated indoor swimming pool.

Our most environmentally sustainable centre, complete with one of Europe’s largest solar panels!

Dearne Valley opened its doors as the new Kingswood centre in 2012. Following a multi-million pound investment programme, Dearne Valley is our most environmentally sustainable centre, complete with one of Europe’s largest solar panels and an on-site waste recycling plant.

Features

Covering 100 acres of beautiful fields and woodlands in a superb clifftop location, overlooking Whitecliff Bay

Situated on the enchanting Isle of Wight, with stunning views over Whitecliff Bay and direct beach access, this centre an instant hit with students and teachers alike

Located in a Site of Special Scientific Interest, providing the perfect destination for environmental and history studies along the dramatic Jurassic Coast

A perfect environment for schools wanting to explore the great outdoors!

Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Wales, Colomendy is the perfect environment for 7-11 year olds to explore the great outdoors

Breath-taking adventure park nestled in woodlands with a giant zipwire, climbing tower and an abundance of ropes courses

On-site watersports including canoeing, kayaking and raft-building

Adventures in the Wild!

The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget. We pay meticulous attention to the details, making sure our pastoral care is second to none, our activities are both exciting and educational, and the whole experience of working with 

We run outdoor pursuits and multi-activity Christian camps for young people from School Years 4 through to 13+.

From mountain biking to skiing, karting to windsurfing, sailing to abseiling, crafts to gorge walking, leadership training to mission. 

Huge range of activities from archery, bushcraft and fencing to high ropes, abseiling, leap of faith and adventure tunnelling plus LOADS more! For over 8s, minimum group booking is 6 people.

The Adventure Rope Course 

One of the UK's leading outdoor activity centres

Dukeshouse Wood has had a whole raft of new adventure activity features installed to become one of the country’s leading residential activity centres. The activity park in the grounds houses many of these new additions including a quad bike track, zipwire, outdoor laser, Jacob’s ladder, an outdoor climbing and abseiling tower and leap of faith.

Let The Adventure Begin!

The Frank Chapman Centre is part of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Councils Residential Education Service delivering a wide range of high quality outdoor programmes and activities for the community of Sandwell and others.

Rock and Ice is a company owned by Richard Hogan MIA. Richard has been instructing and teaching climbing skills for over 20 years.

With its dramatic Exmoor location and modern facilities, The Beacon offers a unique setting for residential outdoor teaching, education and activity breaks. Ideal for schools and colleges, and a wonderful environment for Youth Group holidays.

Nestled deep in the heart of Snowdonia our location is unrivalled as a destination for adventure activities of all kinds. For almost 60 years Plas y Brenin has been running courses and holidays in outdoor activities, introducing newcomers to the outdoors, helping outdoor enthusiasts improve their outdoor skills and training outdoor instructors.

Somerset Adventures are pleased to offer a range of outdoor activities suitable for schools and youth groups, led by a fully qualified and insured instructor. You may be looking to enrich the curriculum with a series of activity days, or you may be looking for a longer term addition to your PE timetable or an after school club.

Set in the peaceful woodland of the South West corner of Scotland, Lockerbie Manor offers superb facilities and an unrivalled location for activity pursuit and adventure for schools and group visits fo all kinds.

Dumfries and Galloway is one of Scotland's best kept secrets with unspoiled, beautiful scenery and just across the border from England.

Challenging Disability Through Outdoor Adventure

Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of Exmoor National Park and a short distance from the North Devon Coast, our award winning centre welcomes guests of all ages and levels of ability, together with their families & friends.

Welcome to Joint Adventures, home of outdoor activities in The Lake District. Joint Adventures is committed to organising high quality outdoor adventure activities and outdoor skills courses throughout The Lake District. 

Welcome to Isca Outdoor, specialist provider for outdoor activities. Based in Devon, we offer a wide range of adventure activities and courses for groups of all ages and abilities.

Ferny Crofts boasts a whole host of outdoor activities, spacious camping for over 500, as well as three indoor accommodation units

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