Sardinia Performance Workshop

Sardinia lies off the coast of Italy between Corsica and Sicily. This majestic island is one of the quieter Mediterranean holiday destinations and offers superb climbing in stunning locations, with predictable dry and warm weather. With well over 600 climbs within a short distance from our accommodation and varying grades from F4a upwards, you’ll be sure to be spoilt for climbing options.

Is it for me?
The course is for people who climb on indoor walls and would like to start making the crossover to outdoor climbing and/or improve their climbing grade. You will be on maximum ratios of 1:2 so we can work on your skills in the most effective way. Our program will allow ample amounts of climbing with enough free-time to explore the local area and try out the fabulous snorkelling the coastline has to offer. You can expect to get lots of climbing done and be completely inspired by the end of the week.

What have other people said?
‘Instructors obviously knew the ground & best options; Gave me confidence that while a slab may look like a sheet of glass, I was not going to slide off it (despite my vast reserve of self-doubt).’ Craig

‘Sunshine and getting the chance to do LOADS of climbing! Small enough not to lose personal touch, but highly professional. Great coaching from a female perspective on rock climbing.’ Charlotte

What’s included in the price?
For the price you will receive 6 days full instruction on 1:2 ratios (optional day off mid week), all technical equipment needed and transportation on the island including airport pick-up and drop-off.

What’s not included in the price?
Flights to Alghero, food and travel insurance.

How many people will be going?
As with all our courses we believe that small groups achieve more so we will have a maximum of 4 spaces on offer, with 2 instructors to help you climb your best yet.

What’s the accommodation like?
With views of the massive limestone bowl of La Poltrona, this is a beautiful new apartment sleeping up to 8 people in a quiet area in the coastal resort of Cala Gonone, the perfect base for sport climbing in Sardinia. The apartment is on two floors and includes barbecue area, TV and CD player, gardens to the front and rear, patio and views of the sea and surrounding mountains and crags. A 10 min walk will get you into the town centre and local harbour and beach. As there will be a maximum of 6 people in the apartment, you will have plenty of space to chill out after a long days cragging.

The local people are extremely friendly, the cost of living is relatively cheap, and there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants in town, serving a wide variety of good local food at reasonable prices. Local specialties include pizza, ravioli and mixed seafood grills.

We will all be sharing the apartment and will make arrangements for food once there. Usually we have a ‘kitty’ system, and either eat in or out depending on people’s preferences.

Getting there:
Sardinia is convenient to get to with low cost flights with Ryanair from London Stansted and Liverpool (flying into Alghero). From there we will pick you up and bring you down to Cala Gonone on the East coast – a journey of about 2 hours.

The programme:
The programme is flexible to accommodate your needs, but here’s an example. We usually climb first thing in the morning, say 3-4 routes then go for some lunch followed by some time to chill out in the heat of the day (a trip to town, visit the great local beaches, go snorkelling or take a nap!), before round 2 in the late afternoon, where we climb another 3-4 routes. We then return to the apartment (via the pub!) and dine.

It’s your programme so you climb as much as you like or relax and do some sightseeing – you can’t come all the way to the Med and not have some sort of holiday. For this reason, we can also take a boat out for one afternoon to explore hidden beaches and coves, check out the snorkelling, and maybe find some bouldering above the sea.

During the week you can expect to cover some of the following, depending on your level of experience:

• Belaying skills (bottom roping and lead climbing)
• Footwork, handwork, and body positioning for efficient flow over the rock
• Seconding skills
• Lead climbing skills
• Abseiling skills
• Slabs, overhangs, laybacks, steep technical climbing and multipitch climbing

Get in touch for more details and availability.