Mental and physical workout key factors in rock climbing’s popularity surge

It’s set to make its Olympic debut in 2020 and its competitors swear by it. But what exactly is behind sport climbing’s global surge in popularity?

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The most difficult and exhilarating aspect of rock climbing isn’t the height or even the strain on your forearms and fingers as you cling desperately to the wall.

It’s the mental puzzle-solving skills the sport requires that really sets rock climbing apart.

“It's a full body exercise but it doesn’t feel like it is,” vice president of sport climbing NSW Mark Hornshaw said.

“At the time you’re just totally in the zone trying not to fall off, trying to reach the next hold. “It’s not until afterwards that you realise just how fun it was.”

State champion rock climber Hugo Hornshaw, 14, trains at The Edge Rock Climbing Centre at Castle Hill. Hugo is among the rising number of young people across the world who were instantly hooked on the sport. Pictures: Troy Snook

Sport climbing has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity over the last 20 years with the Association of British Climbing Walls estimating that participation numbers are growing by 15-20 per cent each year in the UK alone.

While it is still a relatively niche sport here, (Australia has around 1400 registered sport climbers) Mr Hornshaw says participation locally is also on the rise.

“It’s something that is a big sport over in Europe, its just not been that very well known here in Australia,” the Box Hill resident said.

“Not many people know that it is actually a sport.

“Things like Australian Ninja Warrior are helping with that. People are seeing rock climbers do really well in that and they’re saying how do I do that?”

NewsLocal reporters (L) Jake McCallum and (R) John Besley joining Hugo on the wall. Sport climbing will be debuting at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

That number is sure to continue to skyrocket in the near future as well with sport climbing making its Olympic debut at the Tokyo games in 2020.

Mr Hornshaw, whose son Hugo is a state champion in the sport, explained the significance of sport climbing finally being showcased to the world.

“This is really exciting for the sport,” he said.

“It’s really exciting to watch and people are really going to get hooked.

“When they’re flicking between all of the different sports at the Olympics and they see it, they’re not going to turn back.”

To find your local sport climbing gym, go to sportclimbingnswact.com