Our Guide to High Ropes

For adventure enthusiasts, families, school groups, fitness fanatics and more, high ropes are a go-to activity that gets the blood pumping and injects excitement into life that you’d struggle to generate in the same way anywhere else. Where else do you get to sail through the trees with your peers, safe but still connected to nature? 

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about high ropes, from the benefits to the safety considerations you’ll need to bear in mind whilst participating. 

What are high ropes courses?

High ropes courses are something of a mid-air assault course, consisting of platforms, bridges, swings, and other obstacles set at various levels, traversed by thrill-seekers wearing harnesses, which are suspended from a safety system by ropes – hence the name. This means you can get stuck in without worrying about falling. 

Where did high ropes start? 

It’s believed that the first recognisable form of high ropes was developed by the French Navy in the early 1900s, with one naval officer in particular, Georges Hérbert, credited with creating one of the first courses of its kind, designed to simulate the rigours of life on a ship. This included climbing, balancing, and using ropes. 

Thanks to the adaptation of high ropes in an educational setting, this form of movement has become recreational, leading to adventure parks like ours crafting courses that delight and thrill, without compromising on safety. 

What are the benefits of high ropes courses?

The benefits of high ropes courses are threefold: physical, mental, and social. Let’s take a look… 

Physical benefits:

It’s clear to see from the outset: high ropes demand physicality. In this sense, it’s fantastic for improving strength, coordination, and balance, as well as endurance. Moving across narrow, unsteady, and downright difficult-to-get-onto areas of the course will mean that you push yourself in key areas of your fitness. And like all the best physical activities, you’ll be having fun while you do it!

Mental benefits:

It’s not just your body that feels the positive effects of high ropes; it’s your brain too. Mental health benefits of high ropes courses include boosted confidence and self-esteem - the feeling of achievement when you reach the end of the course is unmatched! If you were a little fearful and anxious, particularly around heights or your own abilities, these benefits are greatly increased. 

Social benefits:

High ropes isn’t  really a solo activity; you tend to do it with friends or peers, which means that it presents an opportunity to work together as a team, and celebrate your wins with others. This can really strengthen a team, as well as the trust within it, and by working and communicating together, you can all complete the course with confidence. Nothing beats hearing your team cheering you on when you take a leap!

Safety first: essential tips and equipment

Of course, you can only enjoy these benefits by keeping safe on the course. There should always be instructors on hand to ensure your safety is overseen, but it’s essential that you grasp the basics too, so that you can get the most out of your experience without anything untoward happening. 

Safety gear:

No one hits the high ropes without a helmet and a harness; these help protect you in the unlikely event of impact, and allow you to remain supported as you move through the course. These are paired with gloves to protect your hands, and carabiners, which are a type of clip that connects you to the safety ropes. 

Basic safety rules:

The two basic safety rules to remember when taking part in high ropes is to always follow your instructors guidelines and ensure your equipment has been properly checked before getting started. If you see anything you’re concerned about, flag it up as soon as possible; there’s no such thing as a silly question. Do not try to adjust the safety equipment yourself!

Health precautions:

As with any physical activity, you should stay hydrated throughout your day of excitement; you need to replace the fluids you lose through sweat. You should also be aware of your own physical limitations; injuries and conditions could inform the way you complete the course; speak to your instructor if there’s anything you believe may hinder your ability to get around the course. 

Emergency procedures:

Each activity park will set out clearly what to do in case of a fall or injury; ensure you familiarise yourself with these procedures and stay alert for any emergency instructions from staff. 

Techniques and skills for high ropes

If you’re set on high rope success, you may want to brush up on your skills beforehand; these include: 

Basic techniques, such as:

• Climbing 
• Descending 
• Balancing 
• Walking on ropes

Advanced skills, like: 

• Zip lining and swinging
• Overcoming complex obstacles

Training and preparation techniques, which could be: 

• Static and dynamic stretches (such as leg swings) to prepare your body for exercises
• Mental preparation strategies to get you in ‘the zone’. This could take the form of visualisation, positive self-talk, and breathing exercises. 

High ropes for different audiences

The appeal of the high ropes spans many thrill seekers, from children looking for their first taste of mid-air exhilaration, to experienced solo adventurers. This means that you can find high ropes courses for: 

Families:

These include courses suitable for both children and adults, allowing the whole family to enjoy a day of fun, learning, and, in some cases, facing their fears! 

Corporate teams:

Getting out of the office and into the fresh air can do wonders for team morale and reinvigorate everyone in a way that can spark innovation. Who says work team building can’t be fun? High ropes is the ultimate change of scenery for corporate groups. 

Schools and youth groups:

Young people brought together by education or recreation can benefit from high ropes both physically, and mentally; just challenging enough to push many out of their comfort zone, but fun enough to feel like they’ve taken a break from their studies. 

Individuals:

For those seeking to scratch their adrenaline itch, or simply to get away from it all for the day, high ropes can be a solo sport, designed to leave you with a smile on your face, and a glowing sense of achievement. 

Enjoy the high ropes at our London adventure park 

High ropes is an unforgettable experience, and for many, they may immediately miss the thrill as soon as they leave an adventure park like Gripped. High ropes is an exciting challenge for anyone looking to test their mettle amongst the trees: find out more about high ropes at Gripped and book your experience today.