A free climbing event hopes to challenge the community at a Bank Holiday weekend event.
Children and adults have been invited to test themselves with experts at the Milnsbridge climbing boulder at Crow Lane Recreation Ground on August 30 to gain new skills and confidence.
Members of Milnsbridge Enhancement Group, who spent several years fundraising for the attraction, have joined forces with Huddersfield Climbing Centre whose staff will demonstrate how to get the most out of the boulder safely.
They will run several training sessions from noon to 6pm to help people improve their bouldering technique on the three metres high, three metres wide and 10 metres long concrete rock, which was made from concrete sprayed onto a bespoke mesh-covered metal frame with shapes and holds carved into the surface.
The boulder is the only one of its kind in Kirklees and is used to practise low-level climbing where the emphasis is upon agility and balance rather than height.
Dr Polly McGrail, who came up with the idea over seven years ago, said: “I think it’s going to be a great event.
“Lots of people have been using the boulder but not everyone knows how to get the most out of it.
“Several experts came together to design the boulder and it’s really very complicated but some people don’t realise the amount of different routes you can take on it which vary in difficulty.
“We wanted to put this event on to show everyone how to use it safely while encouraging them to challenge themselves.
“Through doing that they can learn new skills and take on more difficult routes.
“This boulder could inspire younger people to take up bouldering and climbing seriously and perhaps even professionally when they’re older, it’s great.”
It does not require any ropes or equipment which makes it a cheap way to exercise and the sport now forms part of the school sports’ curriculum.
