Climbing takes on a whole new look
THE sport of bouldering is set to get a grip in Townsville with the opening of Urban Climb’s first regional indoor airconditioned climbing gym.
The facility is the latest attraction at Geon Property’s Fairfield & Co, the new name for its homemaker centre in Idalia which has evolved into a lifestyle destination with the addition of tenants like X-golf and Fish n Flips.
Urban Climb CEO Alex Taylor said the Townsville gym would be their first outside of a capital city.
“Townsville has a very active rock-climbing community and some of the best outdoor climbing experiences in all of Australia,” Mr Taylor said.
“When thinking about Australia and what areas have climbing in its DNA, you think of Townsville, so we’ve been planning to open here for a long time, and we’re excited to see it come to fruition.”
The Townsville gym will have 560 square metres of bouldering, including a large training wall which uses technology so climbers can track their climb digitally, design their own climb or compete with their friends.
Boulders or walls have been constructed with holds attached to create climbing problems.
Climbers or their guardians are required to complete “waiver” forms agreeing to the risk posed by the sport — Urban Climb says the sport is inherently dangerous but that there are less injuries than sports like rugby and soccer — and children under 13 need to be actively supervised by an adult.
Mr Taylor said the gym provided novices and professionals with an indoor rockclimbing g experience with no ropes, no harnesses and no climbing partner needed.
Boulders tested people’s problem-solving skills, strength, co-ordination and flexibility with soft matting installed underneath in the event of a fall.
“A highlight of our new bouldering gym will be a huge central boulder almost entirely suspended from the ceiling,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s the first thing people will see as they walk through the door and not only is it visually striking it offers climbers multiple pathways to challenge h ll themselves. th l s
“You can start from underneath, climb up it and around it with many angle changes resulting in some challenging scenarios.”
Geon Property CEO Ben Griffin said the gym would complement its health and wellness retailers.
The Townsville gym, which is advertising memberships from $28.85 per week, will open on December 10.
For more information, visit https://urbanclimb. com. au/ locations/ townsville/.