The Art of Movement: Boulder Climbing

Simon Jeong

The Boulder Climbing club members met for the second time at Project Climbing in Permai on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 to practice the art of movement and climbing.

Boulder climbing is slightly different from rock climbing because of the non-usage of ropes and harnesses. Also, boulder climbing has a lower platform than rock climbing, so there are mattresses on the floor to absorb the impact of a fall. So how would anyone climb for long if the platform isn’t that high? Boulder climbing answers that by allowing participants to climb sideways and perform more intricate movements that would otherwise have been impossible with the restriction of ropes and harnesses. Also, the beauty of boulder climbing comes with being able to climb alone without a partner to pull the ropes of a rock climber and being able to fit in such a small compartment. The whole area is only about the size of Dalat’s B-Lab, compared to rock climbing platforms that would be as high as the Dalat’s Castle building. Being so efficient for both the climbers and the owners, Dalat’s climbing members decided to try it out.

At first sight, the platform looks very confusing and disordered, containing many different “rocks” with different colors of stickers next to them. These stickers, however, have a very significant purpose. A climber can only get from point A to point B using the “rocks” with the same colored stickers. Other “rocks” with different colored stickers are not meant to be used or even touched. The challenge of boulder climbing, therefore, isn’t just to climb but also to figure out which “rocks” to use. “The simple tips for boulder climbing are: be efficient in strength and adapt to the situation,” said Shion Fraser (12).

Mrs. Nichols, the supervisor of the club, started climbing with confidence while Shion Fraser (12) and Chia Hoong Ewe (12) soon followed suit. Later, Suzanne Liew (11) and Alicia Chin (11) joined. Soon, the whole area was filled with laughter and the constant thud sounds of students falling onto the mattress.