The Yonder Highball
Watch the creation and launch of the new Yonder HighBall
(Co-Founder of Yonder) Paul Vooght -
“We wanted to let loose and really explore where we can take indoor climbing. Much of our community may have never heard of highball bouldering, so we are excited to offer London's first highball and bring a whole new way to experience climbing for so many people”
The highball is a very special, spontaneous and exciting decision that we’ve made, beginning to incorporate wider climbing experiences into the London Indoor Climbing scene. To continue to help push the boundaries of what we think we’re capable of and offer this unique, exquisite feeling within the safety of an indoor environment - It is a mad feeling and we can’t wait for you to experience it.
We don’t want to ruin routine and flow when it comes to your visits to your local bouldering wall, but we do want to roll it out as something you can all climb on more regularly as we think you are all going to really like it.
Starting with a slow release, the Inductions are just a starting point towards creating opportunity where you will be ready to hit the open sessions full steam ahead where we can let you all get stuck in and really play!
We want to work alongside you, as the customers, to make sure it is not something intrusive and so that you can get as much use out of it as you possibly can so we are going to let it take shape with the feedback we get. That at the moment is going to look like a few events that we already have programmed in, a members only lock-in to watch out for the way the space is used, and then following with consistent open sessions during our opening hours.
Keep coming to us with your feedback and keep the good times rolling!
SESSION Types
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Ready to conquer the 8m Highball at Yonder?
This 1 hour induction focuses on the key safety aspects of climbing the Highball and is a requirement for any climber wanting to use this feature. During the Induction our Yonder coach will teach you how to fall safely and give you key tips to focus the mind so you can climb higher!
This one hour induction will run through how to safely use the Highball, including how to fall appropriately onto the airbag. Our Coach will describe and demonstrate the procedures and then it's your turn to practise!
In order to pass the induction you must show you can competently fall from the 4 metre height and above. (2 safety falls)
Once the safety elements are covered, you will have the rest of your session to take on the routes.
These inductions are to ready you to hit the open sessions full steam ahead where we can let you all get stuck in and really play with it!
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For the time being we will be prioritising HighBall Inductions so we can get as many people inducted as soon as possible.
You must have completed an induction to partake in the open sessions.
Starting with a slow release, the Inductions are just a starting point towards creating opportunity where you will be ready to hit the open sessions full steam ahead where we can let you all get stuck in and really play!
We want to work alongside you, as the customers, to make sure it is not something intrusive and so that you can get as much use out of it as you possibly can so we are going to let it take shape with the feedback we get. That at the moment is going to look like a few events that we already have programmed in, a members only lock-in to watch out for the way the space is used, and then following with consistent open sessions during our opening hours.
Keep coming to us with your feedback and keep the good times rolling!
PRICING
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Starting with a slow release, the Inductions are a starting point towards creating opportunity where you will be ready to hit the open sessions full steam ahead where we can let you all get stuck in and really play!
The cost of the induction covers your entry to Yonder for the day - no additional cost is necessary to continue your climb!
A second payment may be necessary only in the case of not completing and passing the first initial induction.
Members: £10
PAYG + Pass Packs: £20
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The cost of the open session also covers your entry to Yonder for the day - no additional cost is necessary to continue your climb!
Members: £5
PAYG + Pass Pack: £15
RULES
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Below outlines some of the main T's & C's regarding HighBall Climbing. Please ensure you also read through ALL terms and Conditions on the Highball specific waiver.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
All participants wanting to climb the highball must be registered with Yonder and have filled in the bouldering waiver AND the highball waiver.
All participants must complete a Highball Induction with a Yonder coach and be signed off.
Participants are not permitted to use the highball without staff supervision.
Only one participant is allowed on the wall and airbag at any given time.
No aerial stunts are permitted on the highball.
No objects are allowed on your person or on the airbag while the highball is in use.
INDUCTIONS
All participants must demonstrate 2 competent falls from 4m and above to be signed off as a competent climber on the highball.
While Yonder coaches provide supervision, they do not assume responsibility for your personal safety. Participants are expected to adhere to all safety guidelines and instructions and exercise sound judgement to ensure personal safety.
Highball inductions will run for 1 hour and you are able to use the whole hour to complete your competent falls
The coaches reserve the right to refuse entry, or cut your time short if they determine that your behaviour poses a safety risk.
Coaches reserve the right to determine your competency and may not sign off if they assess that you have not met the required standards. In these cases, refunds will not be issued.
FALLING AND DESCENDING
The highball is a top-out wall. Whenever possible, participants are required to top out.
If you need to descend, please climb to the lowest point using the easiest route and execute a controlled fall.
Once topped out, please follow the signs to descend using the designated downclimb. Do not climb back down the highball.
Always check below you before descending
The airbag does not remove all risk of injury to participants.
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YONDER CLIMBING RULES AND CONDITIONS OF USE
All ADULTS wanting to climb on THE HIGHBALL at Yonder, must have signed a bouldering registration waiver and the Highball specific waiver to say they will abide by the rules and that they accept the risks of highball bouldering indoors.
All CHILDREN UNDER 16 will not be able to participate in the Highball unless approved and signed off by a competent person at Yonder.
We highly recommend that participants are able to comfortably climb a V3 on overhang in order to get the best experience from the highball.
You must not have consumed any alcohol prior to climbing the highball.
You must be over 4ft tall in order to access the airbag.
Yoga, workspace and cafe visitors are all required to follow this process before being allowed to climb OR enter the climbing area.
Highball FAQ’s
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All participants must meet the following specs to book an induction for the highball:
Be a registered boulderer at Yonder
Be over 16 (If 16-18, have completed our unsupervised under 18 assessment.)
Comfortably able to climb V3 overhang
Not have any of the following conditions
Heart issues
Pregnant
Neck and/or back pain/injuries
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Airbag safety:
Sat in the fall zone for the Highball is a giant airbag regulated to 8.5m where the fall zone is a 6m drop from the top. The airbag is designed to catch high, and high impact falls.
The airbag features as many as 4 air-pillars per m² . The interconnected air-pillars absorb impact individually and uniformly, offering heightened safety and maximum durability. Upon impact the air is pushed back into the bottom chamber then onward to the other pillars. The blowers are located inside the airbag and pressure can easily be regulated to determine a forgiving or a more realistic landing.
Beyond the airbag safety feature:
Highball Climbing inductions will be conducted by our Yonder Coaches who will offer a full safety induction including a demonstration of 2 safe falls from the customer.
Our coaches will take great care when taking inductions, ensuring everyone has demonstrated the 2 required safety falls to a safe standard and recommending a second induction if standards aren't met.
All highball sessions will be supervised by a coach.
Under the circumstance our coaches note continuous displays of unsafe behaviour we reserve the right to ask you to end your session there.
If multiple suggestions have been made you will be asked to cease climbing immediately and book and complete another highball induction.
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The Highball launch dates are open to book onto in August.
The first round of Inductions are open to book on from:
3.30pm - 8pm 16th August
10am - 5pm 17th August at
YONDER STREET PARTY :D
Following the launch, we aim to run 2 highball sessions per month from September. One during new member lock-ins and one during opening hours on a set day of the month.
We will also be consistently using the highball at future Yonder Events.
We will update all future sessions on this page.
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In short, no! :)
You will need to demonstrate 2 falls to complete the induction. One from 4 meters, and one more above bouldering wall height (4.5m) but this will consider your comfort zone.
As with all climbing disciplines, it is down to the user to determine at what height and difficulty they feel comfortable climbing at.
The Highball has been purpose-made as a top-out boulder if you should reach the top of a climb. You will be able to climb down on the other side of the wall, safely down onto the mezzanine section of the gym and join back on the ground floor to continue your session.
As with all climbing disciplines, any fall can result in injury, and so for this reason we do not recommend deliberate falls from the top of the highball.
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During Highball running times, bouldering areas that will be effected will include:
The comp wall from the prow to the edge of the cave
Top-out boulder adjacent to the comp wall.
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The comp wall will be on the same schedule of setting as it currently runs at - reset every 6 weeks.
Those boulders on the right hand side will be set in such a way that they can link up with climbs leading up the highball.
The only exception for this may be when we run events, where we will have full length sets running from bottom to top rather than link ups.
Our highball offers the freedom and exhilaration of highball climbing, without the need for a pile of pads or worrying about sketchy landings. Just pure, quality moves with soft, cushioned falls.
Our new proud top out feature is an extension of our existing comp wall, taking you from ground level, 8.5m meters up into the new crows-nest as close to Yonder’s roof as you can get.
We picked 30 degrees as the prominent, continuous climbing angle as we think is the sweet spot between steep and technical. We feel this wall design and our route setting will allow for a quality of movement and range of climbing style not achieved with other indoor highball designs.
jump back to the top ^