Whether you’re already an experienced climber, or wanting to try something new, Williams Lake Climbing Association president Emily Clearwater is inviting anyone interested to register for its upcoming Bouldering Program.
Bouldering is a form of rock climbing performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls, called boulders, without the use of ropes or harnesses, and on surfaces less than 20 feet tall, with cushioned mats on the ground to break potential falls.
The WLCA’s Bouldering Program starts on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and will run every Tuesday and Thursday until March.
Reformed in 2015, the non profit WLCA found a home inside the small gymnasium at Lake City Secondary School’s Williams Lake Campus and began work on a bouldering gym that would accommodate everyone from beginners to experts in difficulty. Its aim is to promote safe and accessible rock climbing opportunities and houses volunteers who are passionate about all of the benefits climbing can achieve.
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“I’d say why not try it?” Clearwater said. “If anyone’s looking to build confidence, physical fitness, mental tenacity, balance, problem solving, or social interaction, there’s a huge variety of benefits climbing and bouldering can give you. There’s no harm coming out to see what happens.”
Bouldering takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the school. Anyone interested in signing up can do so through the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex by calling 250-398-7665, or by stopping by.
Cost of the program is $50 for children four to 12 years, $60 for youth 13 to 18 years and $100 for adults.
The WLCA is also offering trial days for anyone unsure whether they will enjoy the sport.
“Drop by once on any night we’re open to check things out,” she said. “All you need is comfy clothes to climb in. We have shoes and chalk for people to try.”
At the WLCA’s bouldering wall, a recent 12-foot by 12-foot addition has recently been added to the facility, Clearwater said, noting West Fraser Plywood and Chuck’s Auto made donations for its completion.
“We’ve had mats donated from the rock wall in Maple Ridge, and the overhanging gym in Prince George donated us a bunch of shoes because we were needing some more kids sizes.”
Clearwater, meanwhile, moved to Williams Lake from New Zealand last June and got involved with the climbing association as a volunteer. When past president Erika Driedger moved on from the community, Clearwater decided to take up the reigns.
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“Back in New Zealand I’ve climbed indoors and outdoors since probably 2006,” she said. “I just love it. The mental game and the physical game, and how it’s an individual pursuit yet you’re there with other people who are helping you out. I hadn’t done much bouldering before but it’s a really cool thing to do in the winter.”
The WLCA has a new website with droves of information on climbing, on the Bouldering Program and on the club at https://wlclimbing.wordpress.com. They also run a Facebook page at ‘Williams Lake Climbing Association – Bouldering Program.’
“There’s something for all abilities [at the bouldering wall],” she said.
“Some [routes] are short, some are more about strength. Regardless of what your body is like, everybody can have an advantage on some routes. Everyone has their own way of approaching a problem.”
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