Inexpensive weatherproof installable crash pads?

[The Dad]

We built a climbing wall for the kids this weekend, on the outside of the garage -- 20' wide, holds topping out about 7' off the ground. Basically, a climb-sideways wall.

So we're kinda thinking we need about 20' wide cushioning. It doesn't need to move, but it needs to not have to move either -- i.e., I don't trust the kids to pick it up or even cover it after use.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions, either for a commercial product or DIY option?

TIA.

[sfotex]

I'd put a bed of mulch or sand, etc around it. I used to climb at a gym that used ground up rubber bits instead of pads, worked great...

[72Twenty]

Yeah, sand would be choice; especially being outside. Make a frame and make it about 6 to 8 inches deep. Plus, the kids can play in it as well (depending on how old they are?). Just make sure they do not leave any toys or anything in the sand if they are climbing so as not to fall on them. ;)

[Cyber Cop]

No idea, but that's a pretty cool thing to do for your kiddos. Way to be an A+ pop.:cool:

[marshalolson]

get some old matresses and put a tarp around them

[iceman]

A trampoline would be cool.

Otherwise that ground-up rubber is pretty soft, they use it in horse rings so maybe you can find it by looking under horse supplies in the yellow pages.

The intraweb has lots of outdoor wall padding, I suppose you could figure out a way to attach it to the ground somehow.

[weibo]

Some used hotel matresses? You know the plastic-rubber coated ones. Cheap and should deal with weather.

[The Dad]

Interesting ideas, thanks. The ground-up rubber stuff costs mucho dinero from kid supply places, but I hadn't known the horse-ring angle.

And thanks, CC.

[iceman]

Yeah, they cover whole huge arenas with it because it's soft and non-dusty, it can't be all that expensive i wouldn't think.

[Cyber Cop]

OK, I thought long on this and I recommend......Cement.

Kids need natural consequences, if they fall it should hurt. Someday the little bastard is gonna be half way up El Capitan and he should know, if you fall it's gonna hurt.:D Anyway, that's one option.

[assgasorgrass]

Sand pits are just too inviting for the neighbor cats to resist.

[P_McPoser]

I wouldn't call sand weatherproof anyways...Takes days for the shit to dry...