Climb Toowoomba opens with biggest gym pre-sales for Australia

The city’s first bouldering gym has opened, with the gym topping Australia’s opening pre-sales.

Climb Toowoomba owner Beth Cowling (left) with manager Sophie Mengel and head setter/coach Nick Marrington at the newly opened indoor bouldering gym, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba climbers, boulderers, and rock-hopping enthusiasts have shown just how excited they are to have south east Queensland’s largest bouldering gym at their doorsteps.

A first for the city, the gym has topped charts with the most opening gym pre-sales in Australia for the year with more than 150 people signed up pre-opening and almost 200 people visiting in the first two days.

It was Climb Toowoomba owner Beth Cowling’s son that drew the family into the sport after he went to a clip-and-climb birthday at a young age.

“He showed no fear flying up the walls,” she said.

Wanting to support her now 14-year-old son, who ranks first in Queensland and second in Australia for his age (under 14s), Ms Cowling opened a ropes climbing gym in Brisbane.

Climb Toowoomba head setter/coach Nick Marrington shows his skills at the newly opened indoor bouldering gym, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

While visiting family in Toowoomba, and anticipating to fully relocate, they noticed a need for a gym here.

“I am winning major mummy points for having a rope and a bouldering gym,” she said.

The opening had to jump over a few hurdles itself, as the walls, posted over from European manufacturers, got caught up in biosecurity, she said.

Last Saturday, she finally opened its doors and the response was overwhelming with the sport being one of the fastest growing sports in Australia.

“We’ve got a lot of firsts for Toowoomba in our hold selection as well,” she said.

“There’s certain holds here that no other gym has in Australia, and every week, sections of the gym will get a reset.”

Ms Cowling has been part of the rock climbing industry for the past eight years and said the positive atmosphere and inclusivity of the sport is what is drives the growth.

“There’s something for everyone,” she said.

Climb Toowoomba owner Beth Cowling (left) with manager Sophie Mengel and head setter/coach Nick Marrington at the newly opened indoor bouldering gym, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer