• Basic Details
    Name

    Ron Barraclough

    About me

    Currently the Head Route Setter at Bloc Climbing Center Bristol. For over 20 years I’ve been climbing, route-setting and working in climbing centres. I was very proud to qualify as a BMC national competition setter in 2004, as well as being the CWMA national trainer for professional route-setters. However my particular interest is in providing quality routes for people of all abilities (especially beginners).

    I’ve climbed French 8a 
sport routes and onsighted trad routes up to E6, 
bouldered V8 – Font 7B+ and have competed in 6 national competitions. 



    Additionally I achieved RSA Level 2, 
IRATA level 1 (expired), 
qualified as an SPA instructor, 

been a climbing coach for Rock and Sun

, and was a competition dynamic belay coach for the BMC
.

    Your Setting Experience

    “I love setting problems for everyone to enjoy!”

    Boulderwelt Munich Jan 2018
    A pleasure to have you Ron, thanks for the super nice blocs
    Dave Cato, Owner

    Current Setting range and skills

    Boulder: Font 3-7B+ V 0-8 Roped routes: French 3-8a

    2018: RSA Level 2 qualified

    1995-2018: Including: Boulderwelt, Munich Germany; Oakwood, Berkshire; EICA Ratho, Scotland; Rockstar, Swindon; The Castle, Westway & Urban Ascent, London; The Climbing Works & The Edge, Sheffield; Undercover Rock, Bloc & TCA, Bristol; Welsh International Climbing Centre; Setting for Climbing Wall Solutions Ltd and 3 years setting in the USA.

    2004: BMC national competition route-setter for both roped and boulder routes.

    1998-2007: Chief route-setter & competition manager Undercover Rock, Bristol.
    During this time I worked full time setting, hosted and set for 2 British Indoor Climbing Championship (BICC) and 3 Inter-forces finals: we ran 11 regional & national climbing events annually.

    CWMA route-setter trainer

    2000-2008: I was the Climbing Wall Manufacturers Association (CWMA) professional route-setting trainer/assessor. Travelled nationally hosting/delivering route-setter training, including fixed roped worker rescue, at various climbing centres.

    Region

    United Kingdom / London, United Kingdom / South East, United Kingdom / South West, United Kingdom / Wales, United Kingdom / West Midlands

    Telephone Number

    07779 109123

    Map Address

    BS5 6SG

    Setter ability

    Boulder (unroped), Route (roped), Local Competition

  • Boulder Setter Reference
    Work Reference Institution

    Oakwood Climbing Centre

    Description of work performed

    General setting with volumes, macros and holds. Forerunning and testing. Grading and tagging of problems, ladder safety

  • Route Setter Reference
    Work Reference Name

    Paul Twomey Director TCA and UCR Bristol

    Work Reference Institution

    Under-Cover Rock & TCA Bristol

    Description of work performed

    All aspects of roped route-setting: stripping, setting with volumes, macros & holds. Testing and grading. Route maps.
    Also I am fully trained to perform fixed rope worker rescue.

  • Local Comp Reference
    Work Reference Name

    Rich Coupland Route-setting Manager

    Work Reference Institution

    Rockstar Swindon

    Description of work performed

    2017 Helped set male and female finals at their local boulder comp.

    2018 Bloc Climbing Centre; Set boulder competition and finals, attended by British team members.