Anyone who’s tried getting into the sport of climbing knows there’s often a big upfront cost.
Equipment can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars, and monthly gym payments can range between $60 and $120, in Vancouver and Squamish.
This would easily exclude underprivileged youth from participating.
One of the main organizers of an annual Squamish event that combines bouldering and acroyoga recognized this years ago.
As a result, Joe Wong started the Climb and Conquer charity in 2011, which covers the costs for lessons, equipment, and offers job placement.
Later, in 2014, Wong became one of the founding fathers of Rampage, a Squamish competition that donates half its proceeds to that cause.
“The most important thing is people win friendships and meet new friends,” Wong said.
On Saturday, the annual event raised $852.50 for Climb and Conquer.
It met its other goal of raising an additional $852.50 and 60 memberships for the Squamish Access Society, the local non-profit dedicated to maintaining climbing routes.
Wong said he hopes that all climbers sign up for the society.
There were 64 people who ventured out into the Grand Wall boulder fields to climb, while 50 others displayed their skill at acroyoga.
As the only outdoor bouldering competition in Squamish, it also gave a chance for athletes to show off their skills.
One of the highlights were the winners of the rampage category, which featured the hardest climbs.
Ben Newman managed to capture the win among male climbers.
Jani Zoraj was the top among women in that division.
Raffles were held, and to encourage environmental stewardship of the area, there was a grand prize draw for a $450 bouldering pad for those who picked up garbage in the forest.
Competition and prizes aside, everything still came back to charity.
Wong said that Climb and Conquer aims to give youth some of the benefits he found through the sport.
“Being able to find comfort and remain fully calm in uncomfortable places. The mental strength would really benefit anybody, especially youth.”
There’s a surety that comes from getting out on the rocks.
“To build up that leadership, to gain that confidence — I think that’s the biggest aspect,” he said.
Just as important is the benefit of having a community, and climbers often form strong bonds — some people in his old group have even gotten married, Wong said.
“Invite [youth] to the climbing community and help them gain skills,” he added.
“In the future, they can use the same skills to create their own community.”
Full disclosure: The author was a participant in the event.
