This was my first ever experience in rock climbing. We were 3 people learning and 1 instructor, Chris. He took us to a crag in Stonefields, Auckland, by a lake. Quiet little place. He had his ropes all in place already. He brought all the gear. Good schedule after lunch to avoid the midday heat and not a crowded place either where we could feel intimidated. Chris is a good instructor. He gives clear instructions, enough to get you where you need to and not too much that would overwhelm you. He is patient, grounded and calm and that certainly helps if you’re anxious. Never seemed out of control and was even keeping an eye out for other recreational climbers. Seems to have an eagle eye and a conservative approach towards safety, and that I quite appreciated. We all got several turns at climbing and belaying different parts of that wall and 4h went by like a breeze. Some showers did not deter any of us as we were really enjoying our time together and Chris had some nice back up jackets handy to give us cover while it rained, luckily for a very short while. No negatives on this experience. We were given some ropes to take home and practice our knots, that was again a nice touch. For a complete beginner, 4h were more than enough in terms of information to process, and physical demand. A small group of 3 learners worked out really well. This is a kiwi business and a commendable one. I like to learn with highly skilled instructors with a strong professional background to avoid growing bad habits and Chris certainly rates highly in rock climbing. Give it a try, you won’t regret it.