For those looking to be more active or find a new hobby, climbing might be the perfect opportunity. Climbing can be a great way for students to get involved with a community on and off campus.
Dane Siegfried, the climbing wall coordinator at the Wade King Student Recreation Center, encourages students to try rock climbing.
“Some of our most skilled climbers here didn’t start climbing until they came to Western,” Siegfried said via email. “One of our main objectives is to be inclusive and encouraging to new climbers and people who have never stepped on our mat.”
Staring up at the rec center's 30-foot climbing wall can be intimidating for new students, especially when there are more experienced climbers. But there's something for everyone at the rock wall. The rock wall at the rec center sets routes from V0 (easiest) to V9 (advanced), offering climbers a wide range of difficulty.
The rec center offers an intro to bouldering class for $10 on March 4, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Top rope authorization classes are available for $20 on March 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and lead authorizations for $20 on March 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. For private instruction, students can contact Dane Siegfried. More information can be found on the rec center's website.
Getting involved with the rock-climbing community can lead to new friendships, a great workout and a new hobby.
“For college students, school can be a bit of a bubble, so the climbing gym gives people a social space,” said Paul Kalifatidi, program manager and head coach at VITAL Climbing Gym in Bellingham.
VITAL Climbing Gym is open 24/7 and offers classes for beginners along with a welcoming community. They provide a bouldering 101 class for $42. The price includes shoe rentals.
“When you finally get it, it feels like a lot of hard work went into it,” Kalifatidi said. “It's good to see the progress.”
Robby Fisher is a third-year student and member of the Western rock climbing team. Fisher started climbing two years ago and never looked back.
“I found climbing first at the rec center and was hooked immediately,” Fisher said. “I bought climbing shoes the next day.”
Fisher found the community to be welcoming and met a lot of his friends through climbing. For those looking to meet new people, climbing could be a good option.
“It's intimidating at first,” said Fisher. “But once you step onto the mat and try it, you find out that the community is super supportive."
For Fisher, climbing can give him a break from the outside world, particularly with school.
“Climbing forces you into the moment,” Fisher said. “When you're on the wall and barely holding on, you're not going to be thinking about an assignment that's due soon.”
More information on the Western climbing club can be found on their Instagram.
Beck Hanson (he/him) is a junior at WWU working towards his journalism (public relations) degree. He is a sports reporter for The Front. In his free time, he enjoys skiing at Mt. Baker. You can reach him at beckhanson.thefront@gmail.com
