To the uninitiated , climbing seems a simple enough task : Plant your foot , reach for a hold , repeat as necessary . But the nuances and challenges of the sport are many and varied — and this is the precise reason why people get involved with rock climbing in the first place .
As a nine-year-old growing up in North Vancouver , Alannah Yip discovered climbing , thanks to a family friend , and found something in it that no other sport had . “ The sport of climbing is more than just physical ,” she explains . “ There ’ s a mental aspect , too , in that you ’ re always trying to solve challenges .”
Not all footholds and grips are the same , nor is there one right way to climb a boulder or scale a wall . The variety in movements and difficulty of climbs gives the sport enduring appeal for athletic types , as well as those who gravitate to more thought-based pursuits and manoeuvres .
Alannah competes on the International Federation of Sport Climbing ( IFSC ) world cup circuit and , at the tender age of just 24 , ranks as one of the world ’ s very best in bouldering . This discipline requires climbers to navigate low-height ascents within a given time limit and in as few moves as possible . If the laws of gravity prove especially immutable , the only safety equipment in place is a mat . “ Every competition is different ,” she says . “ You see the wall for the first time moments before you start and [ then ] have five minutes to climb it .”
In 1987 , the first climbing gym in North America , the aptly named Vertical World in Seattle , opened its doors ; its gravitational pull remains strong to this day . First conceived as a way for outdoor rock climbers to practise their skills indoors , the modern rock climbing gym has evolved into a social and recreational community hub , equipped with fitness facilities , coaches , trainers , and even event rooms for hosting truly unique kids ’ parties .
Since 2010 , the growth in commercial climbing gyms has been six per cent annually or more , according to the Climbing Business Journal . The rise of gyms in Canada has proven astounding . In 2016 , new gym openings increased by over 18 per cent , year over year . Last year saw an increase of nine percent . The Outdoor Industry Association reports that urban climbing gym users account for $ 1 out of every $ 3 spent on outdoor apparel and equipment , compared to just $ 0.51 for the purely outdoor climbers .
Over his more than two decades of mostly outdoor climbing , Sonnie Trotter , one of Canada ’ s true rock stars , has witnessed this transformation firsthand . It ’ s gone from a pursuit once restricted to thrill-seeking athletes to an activity that attracts people of all athletic abilities and personalities , drawn in by the sport ’ s rare combination of challenges .
“ It ’ s now more accessible for a lot of people ,” Sonnie reports . “ For less than $ 20 , you can meet up with friends in a centrally located gym and give it a shot . These days , the
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