By Lei Tee
The clock reads four, and as students go home or to their various sports activities, others have different plans for the evening. A small, lesser-known group of high-schoolers step into a white van. Instead of shin guards, soccer boots, and knee pads, students sport rubber shoes and bags of powdery chalk. They are the climbing team, an eclectic group of students who have chosen to hone their skills in this niche sport.
While climbing may look like all upper body strength at first glance, climbers also use their balance, coordination, core strength, and creativity to find their way to the top. Mrs. Nichols, who has more than a decade’s experience in climbing, said that it “involves not only physical but mental components.” For many, this was their first time climbing, and for others, it was just another day at the climbing gym.
The climbers had many reasons for choosing to join the climbing club, some more profound than others. Kiera Nichols (10) explained how climbing was her ‘favorite sport.’ and that it “trains everything.” Soreness after an intense session of climbing was a common experience among climbers, as well as an increase in grip strength and the impulsive urge to hold on to door frames and window ledges.
Steven Shen (12) also testified his inexplicable love for climbing: “I find passion in rock climbing,” he said enthusiastically, “I like it very much; I’ve never done it before.” His mysterious passion soon manifested into accomplishment as he reached the top of a route with two bars of difficulty (out of six) on his first climbing session. Such a feat is uncommon in the climbing world, as it is a sport with a rather steep learning curve. Climbing walls ranged from a slightly-positive incline to a complete horizontal overhang.
Some also joined the rock climbing club for social reasons. Gerald Yang (10) said that “Kiera talks about it a lot,” demonstrating just how contagious the passion for rock climbing can be. Rock climbing is an individual sport for the most part, but team members often encouraged each other while climbing, shared climbing chalk, and gave helpful tips on how to get to the top. High-fives and cheering were commonplace as climbers contributed to the positive atmosphere.
As the session draws to a close, some students head back to the van to make their way back to campus. Others climb on and continue their climbing endeavors. With many routes being replaced every week, climbers try to get to the top of the most challenging routes before they disappear forever. Climbers have more incentive to train harder than before to represent Dalat in a potential upcoming competition in Kuala Lumpur. Whether they reach the top of their desired route for a given day or form a new callus underneath their ring finger, all climbers exit the climbing gym a little stronger than before.
Why is the person sideways
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