Gareth Haldenby — Climb Yorkshire Profile

With over 26 years of climbing experience, Gareth Haldenby brings deep technical knowledge, international experience, and a lifelong passion for movement on rock to Climb Yorkshire. He climbs at least three times per week and maintains a high personal performance level across multiple disciplines, regularly bouldering at V7 and climbing 7b both indoors and outdoors.

Gareth’s climbing spans bouldering, sport, trad, winter climbing, and mountaineering. He has built an extensive tick list across the UK and internationally, with standout ascents including Boulder Zoo York, Caley F8a (redpoint), La Connection, and Kilnsey 8b+. His current performance project is True North (8c) at Kilnsey. He has onsighted numerous E5 traditional routes across both single and multi-pitch settings.

Gareth has climbed extensively across the UK as well as in France, Spain, USA, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, Turkey, Greece, and Tenerife. He has a broad experience across different rock types, environments and styles.

Alpine & Winter Experience

Gareth has spent a total of 12 weeks climbing in the French Alps, including ascents of major peaks such as Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi. He also has winter climbing experience in Scotland, adding strong movement skills and risk management in cold and technical environments.

Competition Background

Alongside his outdoor climbing, Gareth is an experienced indoor competitor. His best results include:

  • 7th place — British Lead Championships

  • 10th place — British Bouldering Championships

This competition background informs his coaching approach, especially around preparation, performance strategy, and mindset.

Coaching Experience (15+ Years)

Gareth has over 15 years of coaching experience and delivers coaching sessions weekly. He has worked with:

  • Special educational needs groups

  • Schools, colleges, and universities

  • Climbing walls nationwide

  • Military groups

  • Private individuals and performance athletes

  • Adult and youth climbers across all disciplines

He coaches bouldering, sport climbing, and traditional climbing, including both single and multi-pitch systems, in the UK and Europe. Recent overseas coaching includes sport climbing training camps in Spain with Army groups.

NICAS & Technical Leadership

Gareth has been involved with NICAS delivery since its early development, working with walls across Leeds, York, and Malton. He is now a Technical Adviser for Depot Climbing, where he is responsible for staff training and standards across multiple sites nationwide. His work includes:

  • Instructor training and assessment

  • Site-specific awards

  • Staff development pathways

  • Coaching standard operating procedures

  • Monitoring and evaluation of coaching delivery

He is also working toward becoming a formal training course provider to further support national instructor development.

BMC Event Delivery

Gareth has worked with the British Mountaineering Council delivering skills and training at major participation events, including:

  • Wilton Festival — ropework, multi-pitch skills, rescue training

  • Women-only bouldering events at Brimham Rocks

  • Student trad climbing & learn-to-lead courses

  • Youth trad and sport climbing skills courses

  • Self-rescue training programs

Athlete Development

Gareth has coached several climbers through long-term development pathways to GB selection level. He coached Helen Haldenby for eight years, supporting her through international World Cup events and gaining valuable insight into elite competition preparation, nutrition, and recovery strategies.

Other athletes he has coached include:

  • Hamish McArthur (5 years from age 9 through elite development)

  • Joe Swales (from age 12 through GB selection at 16), now a wall owner and coach inspiring new athletes

Teaching & Qualifications

Gareth combines climbing expertise with strong formal teaching credentials. His qualifications and roles include:

  • Certificate in Education

  • A1 Assessor Award

  • First Aid Instructor & Assessor (NUCO syllabus)

  • Technical Adviser & Instructor Assessor for climbing walls

  • BTEC Public Services Outdoor Unit Tutor

He delivers training using a blend of presentation, practical activity, discussion, and scenario-based learning. His coaching style adapts to risk level and learner needs — from directive instruction in high-risk contexts to guided, learner-led development where appropriate.

Coaching Approach

Gareth works with initiative, enthusiasm, and determination. He builds structured lesson plans aligned to syllabus outcomes (including NICAS, GCSE PE, and BTEC Outdoor Education), and actively seeks and applies feedback to continuously improve delivery quality. He is committed to raising standards across climbing coaching and supporting climbers at every stage — from complete beginners to GB-level athletes.