Fit Rocks

New Brunswick’s Biggest Gym

New Brunswick is home to many East Coast climbers, with its great summer rock climbing and short approaches. A new climbing gym was a long time coming and locals are happy that they have somewhere to train. Fit Rocks opened in March of this year and is now the biggest gym in the Maritimes. There was a time when climbers never imagined there being so many climbing gyms in Canada, especially in areas with populations less than 100,000 people. Located in Moncton, Fit Rocks has lead walls and a big bouldering space. The facility is on Baig Boulevard near downtown. The gym is owned by Derek and Amanda MacIntyre. After their daughter was born, they were looking for a fun business to own. After trying climbing in 2016, Derek knew that a climbing gym in Moncton was a no brainer. The gym is not big compared to gyms farther west, but is a good start for the Atlantic region. There are a few auto belays, an augmented climbing wall video game system and standard exercise equipment. At first, Amanda and Derek were unsure if there was a demand for the gym, but after announcing it online, it was obvious there was a lot of support.

One of their biggest ideas is a Canadianwide high school climbing league. While it might be ambitious to think nation-wide in their f irst year of business, local schools Riverview High School, Moncton High School, Harrison Trimble High School and Bernice MacNaughton High School have all agreed to participate.

As the city of Moncton continues to grow, the number of climbers will surely increase thanks to the efforts of the MacIntyre’s. They have a number of youth programs and camps. Fit Rocks is just one more proof that climbing gyms can be successful in areas climbers never imagined there being a gym. If you’re on the East Coast, be sure to check it out.— There are some great climbing areas in New Brunswick. There following are 10 that would be must-climbs anywhere in Canada.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Tom’s Route 5.4 at Eagle Rock Stairway to Heaven 5.7 at Cochrane Lane Snakepeel 5.7 at Cochrane Lane Magic X 5.8 at McQuirks Mountain Wheeping Whisker 5.9 at Cochrane Lane DDT 5.9 at Cochrane Lane Torpedoes and Jellyfish 5.10b at Cedar Point Fifty Mission Cap 5.10c at McQuirks Mountain 9. Evolution 5.11c at Cochrane Lane 10. Cornifluge 5.12b at Mount Douglas

8.