A new indoor bouldering wall has debuted at the Landing YMCA of Brunswick, a branch of the Bath Area Family YMCA, offering climbing classes for adults and youth.

The YMCA is offering open climb times and orientations led by bouldering wall coordinator Holly Seamans, who discusses safety, including climbing techniques and how to practice safely falling from the wall. Bouldering differs from rock climbing in that climbers aren’t hooked up to ropes, instead relying on padding for safety. The bouldering wall is open to YMCA members and all youth between the ages of 12 and 17 at no cost.

“Whether you’re a first-time climber or just looking to try something new, we invite everyone to come explore the wall and discover a whole new way to move,” said Catherine Johnson, executive director of the Landing YMCA.

The bouldering wall will be combined with other programs in the fall to serve as a gateway for youth who don’t participate in regular sports, said Lauren Ober, vice president of strategic partnerships and philanthropic impact at the Bath YMCA. The bouldering wall will attract middle schoolers and teenagers who the Bath YMCA does not usually see trying out the space, Ober said.

“It is much easier to watch other people,” Ober said. “Once you are on the wall, it really uses every muscle group [and is] a whole other conditioning-style workout.”

The new climbing space was made possible with support from the MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital’s Community Health Improvement Fund, which invests in initiatives to promote wellness and active lifestyles for youth throughout Maine.

The design process for the bouldering wall began earlier in the year, between January and February, to ensure the wall was accessible to both adults and children, who could use climbing shoes or regular sneakers.