Trust Rock Republic’s team to cook up a reason to stay just as most of us get busy packing and planning summer escapes!
With scorching heat around the corner and most sports seasons wrapping up, athletes are still around with not much to do apart from training some more. Rock Republic took this opportunity and rolled out the region’s first ever Summer Boulder Bash climbing series.
Comprising of five individual events set two weeks apart; the inaugural event kicked off on the 28th of May and saw sixteen athletes compete against themselves for an hour and a half before turning their sweat-drenched scorecards in. Guida Verschut, Director at Global Climbing and Vice President of Rock Republic, explains: “Climbing is about you and only you. You are not trying to beat the guy next to you, or compete to a level. Naturally, we opted for self-scoring. 104 problems were available to everyone, stretched over eight grades. You absolutely have to be honest with yourself and give it your best. That’s what Boulder Bash and every climbing competition is about – pushing yourself ahead, harder than last time, smarter than before.”
Four more events followed including two over the Holy Month of Ramadan which saw a natural, slight drop in attendance. Spreading these events two weeks apart gave competitors enough time to rest but keep training. Recovery is important and so is the continuity of fitness and in some cases, regrowth of finger skin. It is not uncommon to keep climbing without realizing you are leaving DNA all over the wall, but you will feel it the next day. Having five events completing the series also meant one could have skipped an event without feeling guilty or worrying too much about total scores. Nyi Nyi Aung, Chief Crew Leader, adds:” We knew most competitors would not be able to attend each of the five events. We had a great mix of vacationing climbers who came for one or two sessions as well as regular faces that just couldn’t do every single event. Having scheduled five Fridays over ten weeks provided manageable choice and ensured everyone who participated was satisfied with their results, whether attending one or all five sessions. Overall, out of total 38 participants, 15% completed all five events, and around 20% of all competitors came only once.”
Five Ten, Brand of the Brave, was headlining the sponsors corner, along with Singing Rock and Tendon, well-known and respected climbing brands under Global Climbing’s growing portfolio. Each round’s winners received prizes on the day and on the last round, also closing event for the season, over 10,000 AED in vouchers, climbing gear and Rock Republic memberships were given away.
Post-event, Pete Aldwinckle, the general manager of Global Climbing and President of Rock Republic, reflects. “Boulder Bash was surprisingly put together real quick. The idea was here for some time, but the real planning took a week tops. My team was amazing; everyone was immediately onboard and hyped up to do their bit. Summer is our season; when real rocks get too hot to climb, we see major increase in footfall in our centre; people need to keep training all year around, there is no “off-season” or else your hard work all year around goes to waste. Additionally, more and more people who never climbed before come down to try out and fall in love with bouldering at Rock Republic. Why, you ask? Because it is fun, the approach even for a newcomer is very easy and the satisfaction you get from mastering a problem is second to none. We have the best people around to ensure everyone is welcomed, looked after and when they leave, it is with the thought of coming back very soon.”
Rock Republic remains true to its basic purpose: to provide world-class bouldering to all ages and levels in a friendly environment that doesn’t let you stay away for too long.
Rock Republic is located in Dubai Investments Park 1. Find out more at www.facebook.com/rock.republic.dubai or call 050 100 1370 .
Words By: Vanda Turcerova
Photos By: Grant Edgington and Nyi Nyi Aung
