Climbers living around the Sea to Sky Corridor and the Lower Mainland gathered at Grand Wall Bouldering co-op to test their skills in a friendly competition at the beginning of the month.
It was an occasion that showed that the co-op is still alive and kicking, as the organization spent much of last year trying to come up with funds to keep itself from closing.
Rent prices have increased since 2008, but the cause of the co-op's financial woes has been dwindling membership numbers, which became a big issue when another climbing gym opened up in town. Things came to a head last year when it was revealed Grand Wall was in danger of shutting down.
In this context, the competition also doubled as a fundraising event that made about $650 to keep the non-profit running.
As of now, Grand Wall Bouldering has secured enough cash to pay the bills at least until October.
“We actually renewed our lease from all that work,” said co-op board member Thomasina Pidgeon, speaking of members’ ongoing efforts to raise cash.
“Everything’s on the up,” she added.
Membership is at about 45 key holders, which is an increase from this time last year, she said.
The competition saw roughly two dozen participants scale the walls of the co-op in an effort to claim bragging rights and prizes donated by various sponsors.
“I think the coolest thing about this... is that it’s really low pressure, so it’s just fun,” said Pidgeon.
“It was a really community-based event. Everyone was cheering for each other, so even if it was a competition, it didn’t have a competition vibe.”
A lot of climbers were actually giving each other pointers on how to best solve problems — in other words, helping the very people who were competing against them.
People were shouting advice to climbers on the walls on where to place their feet or how to grab each hold, Pidgeon said.
Those able to complete a problem — climber-speak for a bouldering route to climb — on the first try were awarded 30 points. Twenty points were given to people who completed a problem in more than one attempt. Each challenge also had a bonus hold worth 10 points.
There were roughly 25 problems, with most of them being moderate in difficulty — around V3.
At the event, problems could go as a low as V0 and as high as V9. For context, the highest grade on the North American bouldering scale is V17.
The event was well-received, and Pidgeon said the co-op is planning on doing another competition, which will probably be around May.
RESULTS:
Children:
Girls:
1. Cedar Pidgeon
2. Winter Robichaud
3. Nicole McLeod
Boys:
1. Kazuto Kinney
2. Owen McJannet
3. Bryon Jackson
Adults:
Womens:
1. Jani Zoraj
2. Sarah Maronick
3. Elle O’Brien
Mens:
1. Hiroshi Shinkura
2. Mason Pitchell
3. Jan Dedonder
***CLARIFICATION: A change has been made to a line to clarify that rent for the co-op has increased since 2008, but dwindling membership has been the cause of the organization's financial challenges.
